Lions and Tigers and Bears (Oh My!)

Everyone loves a good animal story, right?  But first, let me ask you … “Have you ever been to an animal sanctuary?” Even if you answered “yes,” come follow me on a trip to the 93-acre Lions, Tigers & Bears Animal Rescue and Education Center—a no-breed, no-sell state and federally licensed facility in the San Diego suburb of Alpine. Why? Because there, you’ll meet and hear the moving stories of these liberated animals.

Though the idea germinated around 2000, it was in 2002 that Bobbi Brink’s dream of saving exotic animals from mistreatment materialized with the rescue of two tigers and a bobcat: “We started building one habitat at a time.” Today a total of 25 cats, nine bears and 25 additional exotics call Brink’s rescue center home—their permanent home.

“We try to get animals out of places where they don’t belong. We’re kind of their voice,” says Brink who shares stories as we walk from habitat to habitat viewing an assortment of her beloved four-legged residents. Opportunities are available to those who visit as a “Member for a Day” or upgrade to the center’s “Feed with a Keeper” experience. Following are just a few of their tales.

Meet the Big Cats

Upon arrival you’ll be greeted by tigers, Moka, and Nola (an unusual white tiger). Best buds since their arrivals, they spend their days wrestling, swimming and romping together in their spacious enclosure. Their backgrounds are interesting. Moka was rescued as a two-month-old cub from smugglers when they attempted to cross the Mexican border into the states. He was then sent to the San Diego Zoo. But as a Bengal tiger hybrid, he was not a good match for the zoo’s species survival breeding program, so placement in this sanctuary was the solution. Nola obtained her name from the New Orleans location from which she was rescued at five months old. In such a state of neglect, it was only after receiving round-the-clock care that she made a full recovery.

At the time of his rescue, the 400-pound tiger, Maverick, was a nine-month-old pet of the rapper Tyga. Named by sanctuary founder Brink’s husband, she recalls this process. “As I cooked Thanksgiving dinner and my husband watched the movie ‘Top Gun,’ the tiger’s name called out to me—inspired by Tom Cruise’s notable character.’

The sanctuary’s African Lion is Bakari, along with his sisters, Suri and Jillian, all rescued as four-week-old cubs from Louisiana.

Moving to the Bear Enclosures

Protected by electrified fencing since their inhabitants are known for their digging and climbing prowess, meet Himalayan black bear brothers, Teddy and Baloo. Originally, residents of a small roadside zoo, at two months old they arrived at an Ohio auction house where they were rescued by a couple. After struggling to provide adequate care for them, the couple reached out to Brink for successful placement. During my visit, a special treat was feeding peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to Baloo, the bear’s favorite food. Then there’s Cherry (full name: Cherry Bomb), a grizzly, who loves hot dogs. Her brother, Albert, resides here too.

More about this Exotic Animal Rescue Center

Education continued throughout our guided visit. Some little known facts: the number of tigers being kept in backyards and basements across the U.S. exceeds those that exist in the wild. The sanctuary’s annual food needs include 40,000-plus pounds of raw meat for the big cats. Add to that 5,000 pounds of nuts and 38,000-plus pounds of fresh produce for the bears. But the greatest expense for Lions, Tigers & Bears is its endless yards of fencing.

For visitors who aren’t quite ready to leave after the fascinating tour, there is the option of a pricier ticket. Consider the Wild Oak Wild Nights’ experience—overnighting at the property in its two-bedroom, one-bath retreat overlooking Moka and Nola’s enclosure Certainly, the most luxurious way to encounter the sanctuary, imagine a stay accompanied by the sights and sounds of nearby big cats and in-the-wild bears. The bow on the package is a private safari.

At the tour’s end, Brink’s commitment is clear. “To animals born in captivity and fated to be ignored and abused, I’ve dedicated this organization.”