How to Have a Roarin’ Good Time

Remember when you were in elementary school and you learned about the animals in the jungle?

Were any of you fascinated by the large cats, such as tigers, cheetahs or lions? These kings of the jungle or savannah have rightly earned their titles; their powerful jaws and sharp claws are awe-inspiring. If you enjoyed looking at the pictures, you weren’t the only one!

All that said, Chatham County offers something even better than a photo: real live wildcats! At the Carolina Tiger Rescue, in Pittsboro, NC, you’ll be able to see a plethora of kingly cats, including tigers, lions, cougars, jaguars, bobcats, and more (even kinkajous … yes, that’s a real cat!).

The Carolina Tiger Rescue:

What started in the 1970s as the Carnivore Evolutionary Research Institute, today’s Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildcat sanctuary, whose mission is saving and protecting wildcats in captivity and in the wild. The staff provides lifelong homes to wildcats in need of rescue and educates the public about what threatens these animals: in the wild, in the pet trade, and in the entertainment industry.

If you’re interested in learning more about these giant cats in the wild, you can join the more than 13,000 people who visit the Carolina Tiger Rescue each year. You can take a guided tour to learn about the issues affecting wildcats, and hear about the research projects that are assisting conservation efforts in the wild. If you weren’t amazed with lions and tigers before, you surely will appreciate them after!

Make a Visit:

If you want to take a tour of the Carolina Tiger Rescue, your options are Friday, Saturday and Sunday for daytime tours. A guide will take you on a half-mile walk to meet some the wildcats, while personally introducing you to tigers, lions, bobcats, servals, ocelots and other cat species. The guide will explain the rescue stories that brought these cats to the Carolina Tiger Rescue and the issues that their kinds face in the wild.

If you want something even more special, I suggest you take a “Twilight tour.” These tours are adult only (age 13+) tours available seasonally (April-October) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. These special walks are during the most active part of the cats’ days. The Rescue doesn’t allow other visitors or volunteers in the sanctuary, so you’ll get a more intimate experience with the animals (although not too intimate!). Visit the Carolina Tiger Rescue’s website for more information about tours.

Special Events:

In addition to the weekly tour options, the Rescue has a few special events coming up.

• Carolina Tiger Rescue’s 2014 Wildlife FilmFest: This two day event features family-friendly documentaries and films, hands-on activities, and informative presentations by community conservation partners. Mark your calendar for Saturday and Sunday, September 20 – 21. Tickets aren’t yet available, but check out the event page for information on how to sign up.
• More Homes for the Tigers: If you tour the Rescue and feel like you should do more, you can! The Rescue is partnering with Tigers in America to raise $84,000 to build additional 6 big cat habitats, and you can help out by donating to the cause. For information on how to donate, head here.

Check It Out Today:

Chatham County is known for its easy access to Jordan Lake, its charming downtown settings (including Pittsboro and Siler City), and its proximity to North Carolina’s larger Triangle cities. However, it’s got uniqueness to offer as well, evidenced by the Rescue, which is doing good and allowing people to enjoy the awesome experience of seeing these giant wildcats. Check it out today:

1940 Hanks Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-4684

Photo: Pictured above is Camilla, one of the tigers living at the Rescue. Photo courtesy of Carolina Tiger Rescue.