Shakira (Mama Shakira)'s Story

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) brought Shakira II and 34 other animals during our Colorado Project of 2016-2017. TCWR acquired a closing, 12-acre roadside establishment with 115 animals living in deplorable conditions with minimal veterinary care. Due to health issues, the previous owner could no longer operate his breeding and cub petting facility. Many enclosures had access doors made of rotting plywood and a padlock to contain apex predators. Additionally, with compacted dirt and woodchip flooring, the animals had little shade from the glaring eastern Colorado sun. Our team worked on-site for six months and collaborated with other accredited Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) sanctuaries to transport and provide lifelong Refuge to these animals.
Our team reviewed USDA records of the Colorado property and learned about Shakira II’s history. She was forced to perform in magic acts and later used as a cub-producing machine of at least four litters in three years. When we first arrived in Colorado, we found three of her cubs (Blackfire, Rocklyn, and Peyton) in a separate area, unable to walk due to Metabolic Bone Disease. A few days later, Sharkira II gave birth to two more cubs that we rescued, Tanya and Kizman.

At the Refuge, Sharkia II received her title “Mama” to honor the abusive life that she lived before her rescue. Due to her traumatic past, she does not like people; she gets stressed easily and can be very aggressive. Our team schedules our habitat maintenance and lawn care around her needs to ensure she can live a stress-free life for the rest of her days. When she thinks no one is watching, she likes to play with various enrichment items and run around her habitat. Shakira II will stalk and run up to say hello to the more tenured Animal Care Staff she has come to know and trust.