PROJECTS 2021
TURPENTINE CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
New In-Ground Pools for Tigers
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is embarking this year on a campaign to replace all stock metal tanks in bear and tiger habitats with in-ground pools. Trees for Tigers USA is pleased to provide the funds for their first tiger pool which will be constructed for two tiger brothers – BB King and Mack. BB King is the first ever tiger documented to undergo chemotherapy and is doing well. He and his brother will be welcoming their new pool by this summer.
Many videos have been sent to us from sanctuaries showing tigers and bears splashing with their toys in easy-access in-ground pools that are large enough for vigorous play and providing much-needed exercise. We hope the tiger pool funded by us will inspire supporters of Turpentine Creek to help make this vision a reality. Thank you, Turpentine Creek, for allowing us to help launch this great enrichment project for your sanctuary.
LIONS TIGERS & BEARS
Alpine, California
Custom-Heated Tortoise House
A lucky Sulcata Tortoise has found a wonderful home at Lions Tigers and Bears animal sanctuary. The Sulcata is the third largest tortoise species in the world, and this boy weighs 100 pounds. We are providing a 4 foot by 6 foot custom-built heated house for the new habitat being constructed by the sanctuary. The habitat will include a watering area and concrete block retaining wall, all on natural substrate. Lions Tigers & Bears will be the perfect family to welcome this lucky tortoise.
THE WILDCAT SANCTUARY
Sandstone, Minnesota
Two New Habitats in Hybrid Haven
No matter what challenges that may be facing them, The Wildcat Sanctuary is committed to yearly upgrading of habitats and preparing for new rescues. Cats are moved around to different spaces as they grow older or develop special needs where a different enclosure might be more suitable. This year we will be funding two new “flexible” habitats in Hybrid Haven to accommodate various cats, from bobcats to cougars to leopards. We will be providing lumber and faux wood for outdoor catwalks, cubbies and platforms as well as indoor platforms. Outdoor landscaping will include trees, boulders, dirt and grass; also in the new habitats will be toys, dogloos and hammocks.
The hard work and dedication of the staff at The Wildcat Sanctuary in continuing to improve the quality of life of their cats, big and small, are greatly appreciated by Trees for Tigers USA.
SAVE THE CHIMPS
Fort Pierce, Florida
Seve’s Island Climbing Apparatus
Save the Chimps is the largest privately-funded chimpanzee sanctuary in the world offering life-long care for chimpanzees rescued from research labs, the pet trade and the entertainment industry. Over 200 chimpanzees live on 12 separate islands in separate family groups. As some climbing structures are beginning to age, Save the Chimps has started to refurbish the islands to expand the vertical spaces for climbing and arboreal movement and to provide more covered areas for shelter from rain and the Florida sun. Their new innovative design on Seve’s Island will allow more freedom of choice and movement among the chimp families and enable smaller groups to find comfort and independence in their outdoor environment.
Trees for Tigers USA has offered funding for some roping and climbing materials to connect structures to each other or to the surrounding landscape. If funding is sufficient, other possible structures such as a platform, hammock or swing may be included. We are pleased to contribute to this huge endeavor by Save the Chimps in updating, expanding and enriching the living spaces on the islands for their chimpanzees.
KEEPERS OF THE WILD
Valentine, Arizona
Bear and Lion Platforms
More rescued animals will be arriving at Keepers of the Wild in 2021. Platforms are a necessity for shade from the ubiquitous Arizona sun in addition to providing privacy underneath and allowing the animals to rest in comfort on an elevated deck while surveying the landscape. We are happy to contribute to the cost of labor and materials for several platforms. The cats and bears at Keepers of the Wild enjoy extra-spacious, natural habitats, and the new residents are certainly lucky to have found a home at Keepers of the Wild.
(MORE PROJECTS TO COME IN 2021!)
PROJECTS 2020
CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY NORTHWEST
Cle Elum, Washington
www.chimpsNW.org
Simulated Trees
Construction of a large indoor playroom, divided into two sections, has been started at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. The playrooms will have 20-foot ceilings and catwalks all around. Trees for Tigers USA is funding the construction of large tree-like climbing structures from floor to ceiling. Everyone is brainstorming what these “trees” will look like, and we’re excited to see the final result! Stay tuned…. Update 4/21 – See the video of the chimpanzees with their new simulated trees on the Video Page Project Completed
CHRISTMAS TOYS
At the end of last year, we had enough funds to be able to send some toys for Christmas to several sanctuaries. It was as much fun for the caregivers as it was for the animals to receive these presents. Fortunately, this year we will again be able to send some toys from Santa! Project Completed
CLEVELAND AMORY BLACK BEAUTY RANCH
Murchison, Texas
www.blackbeautyranch.org
Habitat improvements of Primates
This project will improve the lives of the capuchins and rhesus macaques. The labor and excellent construction skills are being provided by the Primate Team of caregivers, and we are providing the funds for materials. The team designed a complex combination of towers and ramps in the trees and a platform for geriatric primates to help them perch in high places. A new platform structure for capuchins will replace an old one to create a canopy space that will be a new experience for these capuchins. They will also enjoy a “Snack Shack” toy and “Prima Rocker” made by Wildlife Toybox. Project Completed
Platforms for New Marmoset Habitat
A brand new habitat is being constructed for a group of marmosets rescued from the exotic pet trade. Platforms are being built for each bedroom. Thank you for allowing us to help create beautiful habitats these special monkeys. Project Completed
WILDCAT RIDGE SANCTUARY
Scotts Mills, Oregon
www.wildcatridgesanctuary.org
Toys
Two 24-inch heavy duty balls are being enjoyed by the tigers at WildCat Ridge. Everyone supporting WildCat Ridge is so thankful that the sanctuary survived the fire in September and that the animals have returned home. It was a feat beyond imagination to evacuate more than 80 animals, including lions and tigers, on such a short notice with flames looming in the distance. Appreciation and gratitude for all who helped in the evacuation and transfer back home. Project Completed
ANIMAL DEFENDERS INTERNATIONAL
South Africa
Forty-three lions and tigers rescued from circuses in Guatemala, Peru and Columbia are resting peacefully and enjoying life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Looking at them smiling in the tall grass or on top of their platforms, you would never know the pain and suffering they endured in a circus, caged for years and never feeling grass on their paws. The lions are back in their homeland where they belong, and the tigers are enjoying their spacious habitats.Trees for Tigers USA is honored to be part of their journey by providing trees, platforms and shelters. Covid 19 has arrived, and winter is approaching, so we needed to act quickly to provide two nighthouses for lions needing a warm place to sleep, especially Sasha who has cancer in one of her legs.
Thank you to everyone at ADI for your incredible perseverance in rescuing and transporting these beautiful sentient beings to your new sanctuary. And thank you for all the other work you do to help abused animals in the world. Project Completed
Termite Mounds
Swimming Pool for Tiger Sundara
Many habitat enrichment projects are planned at The Wildcat Sanctuary, and Trees for Tigers USA is excited to be funding three of them. Bed boxes will be built so that every geriatric big cat will have one. Indoor spaces will have perches and 6-8 bedrooms will be painted with contrasting colors to brighten the rooms.
Habitats in Wild Woodlands will be excavated to create mounds for tigers and lions.
A prototype teeter-totter will be built for bobcats and cougars—each built to the size appropriate for the species. Thank you to The Wildcat Sanctuary for providing this creative toy for your wild cats and showing that you care about their psychological well being in addition to providing nutritious food, vet care and large spaces. We appreciate sanctuaries that try new enrichment ideas that will appeal to the animals’ interest and curiosity. Project Completed
PROJECTS 2019
WildCat Ridge Sanctuary
Trees for Tigers is helping fund two brand new enclosures for big cats needing a forever home. A hill in each enclosure has been created with dirt, culvert pipe and a large flat stone slab on top to be a resting place where a cat can survey his/her surroundings from an elevated position.
Each enclosure has a large tree native to Oregon that will eventually branch out allowing the cats to lounge in the branches. (We’ve all seen the pictures of the big cats straddling the branches in trees with all four legs hanging down – hopefully this will happen in a few years!).
One tree is a Big Leaf Maple and one is a Northern Red Oak which should have low growing horizontal branches for the cats to access.
Trees for Tigers is excited to provide the funds to build this creative enrichment structure and we can’t wait to see the trees leaf out and the new cats arrive. We think they will love their new home at WildCat Ridge. Project Completed
CLEVELAND AMORY BLACK BEAUTY RANCH
Lil Boy, a bobcat at Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch is going to enjoy a new remodel of his current habitat. The Wildlife Team has again created a wonderful species-specific habitat which they will build themselves. The project will include various ramps, platforms and a new house. The team wants to provide variety for Lil Boy including a skywalk around the top part of the habitat, platform steps
around a tree stump, and a fire hose hammock swing. What a lucky bobcat! We appreciate the Wildlife Team’s creative ideas and construction abilities. Thank you so much for offering us this great project. Project Completed
Princessa, the sole lar gibbon at Black Beauty Ranch, will have her habitat enclosure modified to provide a more enriched environment and will allow for more possibilities for socialization in the future. Her habitat will get corner platforms to increase the nesting areas in the canopy; a multi-level structure including a treehouse with windows and internal platforms; a moveable platform structure; and a Looky Lou hanging mirror. The lar gibbon, also known as the white-handed gibbon, is an endangered primate in the gibbon family. Project Completed
The largest group of primates at CABBR are capuchins comprising four different species: tufted, weeper hybrid, white-faced and black-capped. The five capuchins are the most active and social primates at the “ranch” and enjoy a 4-yard enclosure. Improvements planned will create complexity of their habitat, allow for more visual barriers, increase foraging time and will provide healthy social interactions within the group. Structures planned include corner platforms to increase nesting areas in the canopy; a series of moveable platforms and a Holy Moly Feeder Puzzle Box. Project Completed
Tibor and Sammi are two American black bears retired from the entertainment industry. With their advanced age, it will become increasingly more difficult for them to climb into their stock tanks to cool off during the summer. The two new in-ground pools (10’x10’x3′ deep) will replace the stock tanks and give the habitat a more natural-looking space. We are once again delighted to fund these projects for the wonderful sanctuary Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch. Project Completed
Primate Habitat Renovation
Trees for Tigers is providing funding for a habitat renovation for two primates named Valentino and June Bug. These two Siamang Gibbons are a brother and sister rescued from the exotic pet trade. Caregivers at Black Beauty Ranch have collaborated in the design of a species-specific habitat that will include a swing, platform, suspended bridge, ladders, shaker box puzzle and live trees. Everyone is excited to see Valentino and June Bug enjoying their new beautiful habitat. (COMPLETED)
THE WILDCAT SANCTUARY
Skywalks for Bobcats
ANIMAL DEFENDERS INTERNATIONAL
Six lions and twelve tigers have been patiently waiting (as we speak this Nov. 2019) in a temporary rescue center in Guatemala for many months while ADI prepares for their transfer to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. The roadblocks in this mission are too numerous to mention (see www.ad-international.org for harrowing stories of the rescue and relocation efforts). It took seven months to rescue the animals from circuses in Guatemala. And then two more moves into temporary facilities while waiting for permits and meeting regulations to transfer them to So. Africa.While the lions and tigers are patiently waiting for their trans-Atlantic adventure, Trees for Tigers USA is happy to provide the materials to build 8 large platforms/shelters (some with floors) for these beautiful animals who have endured lives of misery in the circus. As soon as they arrive at the sanctuary they will have spacious habitats with platforms and shelters where they will be able to rest, take naps, check out their surroundings, stay warm on cool nights, and join in the roaring at 4:30 a.m. with the lions already residing there. Perhaps the roaring from their platforms in the early mornings is their way of welcoming a new day with gratitude for their rescuers. Project Completed
WILD FELID ADVOCACY CENTER
SAFE HAVEN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
This past January 2019 we provided topsoil for the half-acre habitat that we have been working on since last year.KEEPERS OF THE WILD NATURE PARK
Repairs to Platforms and Shelters
Trees for Tigers USA provided funds for repairing several structures including platforms for tiger Zeus; new shelter for Mazi the lion; bear pen hammocks repairs; leopards Daisy and Bug’s den box and platform; Bowie the tiger’s platform.
Project Completed
LIONS TIGERS AND BEARS
Interactive Multilivel Platform for Bear Habitat
In addition to providing a home to abused and abandoned exotic animals at their beautiful sanctuary, Lions Tigers and Bears also rescues and relocates exotic animals in need. With their state-of-the-art Rescue Hauler truck, LT&B has provided veterinary care and safe transport for hundreds of exotic animals to qualified sanctuaries.
Trees for Tigers USA is pleased to fund a large multi-level platform for five black bears currently enjoying a 4-acre habitat. This multi-functional platform will provide the bears with a place to exercise and climb, play, find hidden food and treats, and lounge in comfort on soft floors with fire hose webbing.
We are excited to see these bears enjoy this structure designed specifically for them to exhibit their natural behaviors. Project Completed
CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY NORTHWEST
This last summer (2019) we were fortunate to visit Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in Cle Elum, Washington. They had just recently taken in threechimpanzees from a sanctuary closing down in California. Immediately upon seeing the chimps, we were made aware of the intensity and complexities of caring for chimpanzees in captivity. Their intelligence, energy and size are forces to be reckoned with.
REIKI FOR ANIMALS
Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA)
www.shelteranimalreikiassociation.org
The mission of Trees for Tigers USA is to help better the lives of wild and exotic animals in captivity in many diverse ways. We are grateful to have met some wonderful human beings who have been working in the spiritual dimension with animals for over 20 years. Since mammals (and some other animals) are sentient beings (documented by neuroscientists in the Cambridge Declaration of 2012), they have a spiritual dimension. Kathleen Prasad, the founder of Reiki for Animals, developed her method over many years—a method of Reiki not like human Reiki but rather a method that has proven to be successful with more than 250 members and 75 shelters/sanctuaries/rescues who all practice the “Let Animals Lead” method of Reiki. Kathleen writes, “By simply relaxing, being quiet, breathing and having a heartfelt intention to help another being, you create a peaceful space. In this space, all healing possibility exists.”
We joined with SARA in offering Reiki for Animals at Keepers of the Wild in Valentine, Arizona during the summer of 2019. The staff enjoyed a weekend workshop learning the basics of Kathleen’s method, and said that they saw positive changes in the animals they worked with – with statements like “I’ve never seen him do that before!”
Refer to the Education Page on this website to read the interview of Kathleen Prasad by Marc Bekoff, Ph.D. in Psychology Today. Marc co-founded, with Jane Goodall, Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and writes a science column about animal emotion for Psychology Today.
PROJECT COMPLETED
OUR FIRST PROJECT
Keepers of the Wild Nature Park
Valentine, Arizona
Barn for Hodor (Casa Camelot)
Our first project has begun! Hodor the Dromedary Camel at Keepers of the Wild Nature Park in Valentine, AZ. is getting a new barn (a.k.a. Casa de Camelot) which will keep him warm in the winter, and will provide privacy for him when he chooses to have some “alone time.” This is not just any regular barn but one very large structure, because Hodor is a very large animal. You can see the project unfold in our Video section.
Hodor’s barn will have a wood floor, plywood on inside and on the ceiling, will be insulated and will have a steel exterior.
Trees for Tigers is happy to provide a warm shelter for Hodor at this amazing sanctuary. Please visit their website www.keepersofthewild.org. (Project completed Dec. 2017).
Shade Complex
Hodor has a new roommate named Hoover. Hoover is a Bactrian Camel with two humps while Hodor is a Dromedary Camel with one hump. They are getting along very well in their habitat together. With the Arizona heat in the summer along with monsoon storms, Keepers of the Wild is building a shade complex with fencing, gates and feeding stations to keep their food dry. Trees for Tigers is pleased to provide the funds for this new addition to Hodor’s and Hoover’s habitat. (Project Completed)
Multi-Level Platforms for Mazi and Bowie
Mazi the lion and Bowie the tiger along with Cleo the leopard were recently (Sept. 2018) recsued from a back yard on private property in rural Nevada where they had lived in small cages for 10 years. We were privileged to be able to provide a multi-level climbing platform specially made for Mazi and Bowie.
Mazi and Bowie have been seen loving their spacious habitats and quality food that they have never experienced. Thank you to Keepers of the Wild for providing a loving home for them.
(Project Completed)
PROJECTS IN THE WORKS FOR 2018
WILDCAT RIDGE SANCTUARY
Scotts Mills, Oregon
In-Ground Swimming Pool
Trees for Tigers will be paying for an in-ground swimming pool for Calvin and Hobbs, two amazing tigers who are so lucky to live at WildCat Ridge. There is much infrastructure to be completed before the pool can be constructed, so this project is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
Hybrid Cat House and Outdoor Habitat
In December 2017 WildCat Ridge began construction of a 12’x24’ insulated and heated building for their hybrid cats. Hybrid cats (i.e. Bengals, Savannahs, and Chausies) are created by crossing a wildcat species with a domestic cat. Hybrid cats do not make good pets due to their wild nature, behavioral problems, and health issues, and WildCat Ridge does not support the breeding of hybrid cats. For more information on hybrid cats, see their website www.wildcatridgesanctuary.org
Since the tiger pool project has been tentatively moved to next year, Trees for Tigers is helping with the hybrid cat project. We have purchased the building and will be paying for most of the materials and habitat enrichment items such as perches, walkways and climbing structures for the inside of the house, as well as a system of platforms, decks, shade structures and bridges throughout the 2000 sq. ft. outdoor habitat with existing vine maple trees. The “labor of love” for this endeavor is being provided by WildCat Ridge staff and their talented volunteers. We can’t wait to see the pictures of this completed habitat – it is sure to be a creative work of art. (Project Completed)
Cougar Treehouse
WildCat Ridge plans to expand their cougar enclosures in 2018, and Trees for Tigers would like to build a treehouse for one of the habitats. We are all brainstorming ideas for a natural-looking treehouse that will provide shade and sun, as well as privacy and a high place for a cougar to crawl up to and hang out.
WILD FELID ADVOCACY CENTER OF WASHINGTON
Harstine Island, Shelton, WA
In-Ground Pool
Wild Felid Advocacy Center is planning to build in 2018 an in-ground pool for their two beautiful tigers, Suri and Tabbi. This sanctuary doubles as a botanical garden and provides wonderful scents for their feline residents. Trees for Tigers is happy to provide funds to help make this project a success.
Update July 2018: Suri and Tabbi the tigers will soon welcome a new pool with decks to lounge on. The original plan for an in-ground pool has changed, and an above-ground pool is now planned. The new pool will surely be appreciated by Suri and Tabbi.
Toys, Toys, Toys
With the extra funds that had been budgeted for the in-ground pool, Wild Felids requested some toys for their feline residents. Everyone is excited to see how the cats will react to their new toys soon to be delivered.
Habitat enrichment is well evident at Wild Felids with wonderful scents from the botanical garden-like property to the creative and abundant climbing structures and hiding spots for all the felines. Our picture page will soon be showing the happy wild cats playing with their toys. (Project Completed)
SAFE HAVEN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Imlay, Nevada
Swing for Half-Acre Habitat
Prototype Swing
The first prototype swing designed by Wildlife Toy Box will be featured at Safe Haven. The large 53” round platform swing is suspended by ropes allowing the animals to climb onto the platform and play with this new toy.
We are excited and curious to see how various animals will react to the swing. Pictures and videos will be posted as soon as they are available. (Project Completed)
Multi-Level Climbing Platform
Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary has completed a new half-acre habitat for several big cats, and Trees for Tigers provided the funds to build a multi-level climbing platform for shade, lounging, scratching and viewing of the landscape and beautiful snowcapped mountains from the three-level structure. We are all looking forward to seeing some lucky cats enjoying their new habitat soon. (Project Completed)
Rock & Waterfall Feature
Safe Haven provides several tigers (and many other species) with a loving home, large enclosures and a swimming pool for each tiger enclosure. So Trees for Tigers has offered to construct a rock formation in an enclosure where a tiger can sleep on a rock, sunbathe on a rock, climb around on rocks, and keep cool and/or hide under a rock. This project is currently in the planning stages, so please stay tuned.
Update July 2018: Coordinating the rock and waterfall feature at Sybre the Tiger’s existing pool has been challenging. But we’re not giving up!
Topsoil and Trees
Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary has begun planting grass and trees in their existing habitats and in a new habitat that is under construction. Since the rock and waterfall feature is still in the planning stages, Trees for Tigers was happy to help with the purchase of topsoil for the grass planting and several large Austrian Pine trees. See the beautiful trees in our Picture page. The sanctuary is looking amazing with the trees and grass growing and those snow-covered mountains in the background. (Project Completed)
Climbing Platform for Cooper
Cooper the cougar got a brand new spacious enclosure, and Trees for Tigers provided a multi-level climbing platform and two beautiful Austrian Pine trees.
Next door to Cooper is Patty Kay, another cougar, who also got a large tree for her habitat.
(Project Completed)
Rope Scratching Post
A very simple natural substance such as rope can provide stimulus to many wild cats’ senses.
On our Video Page you can watch tigers Carli and Lili enjoying their new scratching post as they smell and rub their faces on the rope and scratch it with their paws.
(Project Completed)
The WildCat Sanctuary
Sandstone, Minnesota
Catwalks and Rock Caves
The Wildcat Sanctuary’s newly renovated habitat for bobcats and Canadian lynx, called Wildcat Pines, is featuring a large central temperature-controlled building that can be accessed by all of the cats. There are 8 separate habitats surrounding the building (like spokes of a wheel) that provide for separation of the cats as well as their access to the building. Trees for Tigers is excited to help fund this project by providing materials for raised catwalks to allow access in and out of the building and provide a place for bobcats and lynx to hang out when there’s snow on the ground. We also provided the funds for stone-enclosed caves in the habitats. Check out the new innovative and functional design of Wildcat Pines at www.thewildcatsanctuary.org. (Project Completed)
ADI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
SOUTH AFRICA
Trees for ADI’s New Wildlife Sanctuary
Animal Defenders International’s new wildlife sanctuary in South Africa will be home to rescued lions from circuses in Central and South America as well as around the world.
We had the privilege of meeting Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips whose boundless energy, enthusiasm and dedication to saving circus animals, as well as other animals, inspired us to want to help them with their new sanctuary in South Africa.
The timing was perfect for us to provide 42 indigenous trees for the new sanctuary. We’re looking forward to seeing lions napping and resting under these beautiful trees. (Project Completed)
ADI Mission Statement:
To educate, create awareness, and promote the interest of humanity in the cause of justice, and the suppression of all forms of cruelty to animals; wherever possible, to alleviate suffering and to conserve and protect animals and their environment.