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Tigers in North Carolina? Oh yes, and lions too! In fact, ten different kinds of animals live here. Did you know that the North Carolina Zoo doesn’t have a tiger exhibit? So if you want to see and learn more about these beautiful animals, you’ll have to visit Carolina Tiger Rescue.
Hearing about the Carolina Tiger Rescue over the years, it was high time for us to see it for ourselves. So what better day to start our New Year’s resolution of exploring more locally than visiting this attraction in Pittsboro, North Carolina?
What is it?
Carolina Tiger Rescue is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing a safe environment for tigers and other wild cats. The center aims to teach the public about these beautiful animals and how we can take steps to protect them both in captivity and in the wild. They accomplish this goal through instructional tours, community presentations, kid camps, high school summer camp, field days, and “Kid For A Day” adult camp (more about this later in the post!).
Zoey the serval hissing at us. Can you believe someone had her as a pet?
What to expect
Plan your trip in advance since tickets sell out multiple weeks in advance. Log onto the website and choose the appropriate tour for your group: public tour and twilight tours. Tours are usually held on weekends. Please note that twilight tours are for adults only (no one under 18).
When you arrive, you’ll observe a tall metallic fence reminiscent of Jurassic Park. Enter through a gate and approach the Visitor’s Center. Arrive a little early for your tour as every member of your party must check in on the provided iPads and sign waivers of liability and photography permission forms. Use the restroom at the Visitor’s Center since you won’t be able to do so during the tour.
You’ll sit through a short video presentation about safety precautions and the center’s mission. You’ll return to the Visitor’s Center for a short wrap up video at the end of your tour.
Lioness keeping an eye out on her domain – while the vultures in the trees hope she leaves some leftovers when she’s done eating!
The tour
What can you expect to see? Carolina Tiger Rescue cares for over ten different types of animals:
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- Bobcat
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- Caracal
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- Cheetah
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- Cougar
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- Coatimundi
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- Jaguar
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- Kinkajou
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- Leopard
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- Lion
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- Ocelot
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- Serval
- Tigers
The animals are kept in separate spaces divided by a tall chain link fence. The fence has some give in it so that animals don’t hurt themselves if they throw themselves against the sides. A second, shorter chain link fence keeps the public away from the enclosures. Don’t cross that smaller fence.
Three tigers enjoying the New Year’s Day treat boxes!
Where the animals come from
Carolina Tiger Rescue provides sanctuary for wild animals from all sorts of backgrounds except circuses. Part of the agreement for the Rescue to take the animal is that the person giving up the animal promises not to take in another wild animal – a circus won’t stop. Some people thought it would be neat to have a wildcat as a pet and are somewhat surprised when it becomes too much to handle. Cubs of tigers and lions are used in roadside zoos but no longer wanted as they get too big and dangerous for petting or photo opportunities. As soon as profits dry up (these carnivores are expensive to feed), they are frequently kept in horrific conditions, including cages that don’t even allow them to stand up fully. Others come from sanctuaries that fail.
Carolina Tiger Rescue allows these big, beautiful cats to be able to enjoy their environment. We enjoyed seeing three lions digging through boxes looking for smell treats (the enrichment portion of our tour). At one point, we could hear lions roaring in the background and it really did remind me of the noises in Jurassic Park!
Getting there
Carolina Tiger Rescue is located at 1940 Hanks Chapel Road in Pittsboro, North Carolina. The website indicated that GPS directions would not necessarily get you there. We used Waze and had no difficulties. I didn’t see any signs off Highway 64, the way we came. It will look like a big farm on a country road. The most important thing to remember is to pay attention to the signs indicating which driveway to use. Almost all approaches will have you coming in so that Carolina Tiger Rescue is on your right. From this approach, the third driveway on your right is the entrance to the parking lot.
Shenandoah Tiger keeping an eye on us visitors!
Know before you go
The tour takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how active the animals are that day and how interactive the visitors are. You’ll be walking, or at least standing, most of the time. A gator was available to take guests who need a little bit of help but you should know that you won’t be able to get as close to the enclosures (due to the noise of the gator) and other guests will inevitably stand in front of you, blocking your best views.
Tours sell out fast, so reserve ahead of time online. Admission prices for public tours are:
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- Adults (13 and up) $18 plus fees and taxes
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- Youth (4-12) $12.75 plus fees and taxes
- Children 3 and under are free but still need a reservation
***We participated in an Enrichment Tour (a special event) which cost $28 per adult ($64.78 including taxes and fees for both of us) ***
Dress appropriately for the outdoors. I would recommend wearing closed-toe shoes. We visited after several rainy days and it was incredibly muddy. In warmer weather, I would imagine that fire ants and other bugs are plentiful.
The unexpected – “Kid for a Day” Adult Camp
As a kid, did you dream of working in a zoo or as a veterinarian? The “Kid for a Day” Adult Camp takes you back to your childhood. From 9am to 4pm, you’ll take part in the daily activities of a wild animal sanctuary. Seamlessly learning about the animals, you’ll help the keepers feed and paint with the animals. I can’t imagine a better way to spend $225 on a pretty unique experience!
Anthony the leopard was curious about his visitors.
What you can do to help
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- Visit, of course! Learn about their mission. Your fee goes to caring for the animals.
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- Volunteer – the Rescue relies heavily on adult volunteers
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- Donate – money is always a good option
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- Donate from their wish list
- Spread the word
Have you visited an animal rescue and sanctuary? If not, putting that on your list!
Happy travels!
Annick, The Common Traveler
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.
What an educational thing to do in North Carolina! You know that your money goes to a good cause. The experience is nice for adults and children, especially that they have so many varieties of animals on site!
Such a great cause and fun for all ages!
I never knew that North Carolina has Tigers and it would be wonderful to see all 10 types at Carolina Tiger Reserve. It is good that this tiger reserve is non profit organisation and is working to save tigers from being extinct. Thanks for sharing all tips like wearing closed shoes as it can be muddy sometimes.
I see they are doing a great job of educating the visitors. It’s heartwarming to see the animals being taken care of. The Tigers are literally on the brink of extinction and this makes the place all the more special as a safe space for the big cats!
It really is a special place.
I have a special soft corner for the big cats. Here in India, we have over 60% of the tiger population in the world. Therefore I take full advantage of visiting our National Parks to visit them in the wild. I am not a big fan of animals in the captivity. But Carolina Tiger Rescue is a great option as it is nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing a safe environment for tigers and other wild cats. I love the fact that the center is spreading awareness on how we can tprotect them both in captivity and in the wild.
Unfortunately these animals won’t make it in the wild anymore.
Very interesting to read about this kind of a place in a place where tigers are not native. I’m so happy they are given a chance to a new, better life! It is rather inhuman to use these beautiful animals to make a profit and the abandon them. Or just have them captured at all. The tour for kids sounds like a dream come true to me when I was a kid. I would have been so happy if I got to do that. And it’s for a great cause.
What a wonderful place to help with the care and survivial of these fantastic animals. I simply cannot imagine them ever being in a cage where they can’t even fully stand up. What sort of humans would do something so inhumane?? I’d love to visit this place one day as I know the money goes to a very good cause and without visitors, they won’t be able to sustain it.
I really didn’t know that there’s a Tiger Rescue in North Carolina. I love the fact that they focus on educating the visitors rather than just trying to lure visitors to come and see. I have visited a lot of sanctuaries and a lot of them appeared not to be what they claim to be. This one doesn’t seem to be one of them, I hope they keep up the great work.
I lived in Chapel Hill for two years but I had no idea of the Carolina Tiger Rescue. This is, indeed, a commendable effort. And it’s unbelievable they have so many different varieties. I am sure we would love to visit here. My little one will especially like it.
I can’t believe that people still think that keeping a wild cat as a pet is a good idea. I love the mission of the rescue and love that they focus on education, rather than just a “come look and see.” Crazy that they have so many different types of cats! I’ve never visited a sanctuary or rescue before, but I look forward to the experience for sure!