Dr. Chloe Wilde is our wildlife biologist. She studied ecology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Her favorite topic of study is conservation. Dr. Wilde is passionate about learning about and teaching others about how they can help wild cat populations, including reducing their use of products with palm oil in them. Though Carolina Tiger Rescue does not have any, Dr. Wilde’s favorite animal to study is the clouded leopard.
Tessa Stripes is our newest animal keeper here at Carolina Tiger Rescue. She studied wildlife biology at Virginia Tech. Before coming to Carolina Tiger Rescue, she interned at Wildlife Safari. Her favorite animals to work with are tigers! She enjoys giving the animals at Carolina Tiger Rescue a safe and appropriate home for them. It’s a hard and dirty job, but she loves it! Her favorite time of year at the rescue is the fall, when all the animals get pumpkins for enrichment!
Dr. Lamar Hunter has just joined the Carolina Tiger Rescue team as a wildlife veterinarian. After he graduated from NC State’s vet school, Dr. Hunter studied under Dr. Angela Lassiter at Carolina Tiger Rescue. He helps with physicals, medical procedures, and loves seeing the animals improve under the care of the awesome vets at the rescue. Dr. Hunter enjoys working with all the animals at Carolina Tiger Rescue, but his favorite is the lions.
BLOG POSTS
Keeper Tessa Stripes May 4, 2022
Over the weekend, Carolina Tiger Rescue welcomed a 4-year-old male serval named Haiku. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes April 20, 2022
Carolina Tiger Rescue has recently welcomed two three-year-old red wolves to the sanctuary, Caroline and Mist. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde March 3, 2022
On December 20, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3rd as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde January 4, 2022
With 2021 coming to an end, I would like to take some time to reflect back on some of the memories, rescues and the year we have had here at Carolina Tiger Rescue. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes December 16, 2021
It has been an exciting month at the sanctuary, and we have some big news to share with you all! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde November 17, 2021
Throughout the fall months we welcome students to the sanctuary once a week to learn all about the animals that call Carolina Tiger Rescue home. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde October 7, 2021
Fall is finally here and that means it’s pumpkin season at the sanctuary! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes September 15, 2021
Recently we installed new larger food chutes on some of our enclosures. The lions, Roman and Reina, were the first to give them a try and so far, they are getting rave reviews! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde September 1, 2021
As you may have found out from Keeper Tessa Stripes, we recently welcomed a young serval named Pixie home to Carolina Tiger Rescue. Keep reading here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde April 22, 2021
Happy Earth Day! Let’s talk about some ways we can help the world around us. Earth Day began 51 years ago in the United States as a movement to help our planet. Keep reading here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes April 12, 2021
Queen, Cher, and Stevie Serval have a new enclosure to call home! These ladies and four other servals came to us from Canada in November of 2019. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes April 3, 2021
Look how much Bowie Serval loved some of his new enrichment last week! The other keepers and I decided to give Bowie a turtle pool filled with wood wool. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter March 17, 2021
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I hope you wore your green like Yanaba Tiger! It was only a touch of green, but that still counts, right?? Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter February 14, 2021
Happy Valentine’s Day! What better day to talk about hearts? One of our jobs as a sanctuary for our animals is to make sure they are healthy and well taken care of. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter January 28, 2021
With cold weather, comes new enrichment for the animals! Enrichment is anything that changes up an animal’s day. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes January 11, 2021
Whew, it has been awhile since I have had to update everyone. My apologies! What a crazy few months it has been but everyone at the sanctuary is safe and healthy and we hope you are as well! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde January 1, 2021
I think we can all agree that 2020 was a very interesting year. Back in early 2020, we heard about a novel (new) virus that was beginning to show up in Asian countries. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes July 25, 2020
Hi, it’s me again with another exciting animal update!
As you may remember, earlier this month, Star Cougar moved to an enclosure that was a bit of a better fit for a lady her age! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde July 16, 2020
You have most likely heard about species being “endangered” or “vulnerable,” you may have even heard of species that are of “least concern,” but what do these categories mean and how do we know which one to use? Let’s take a look! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter July 5, 2020
When summer hits the sanctuary, keepers get creative to help the animals beat the heat! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter June 14, 2020
Let’s talk about leopards and their amazing tree climbing abilities! Then, meet Anthony, the sole leopard at Carolina Tiger Rescue. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde May 15, 2020
It’s Endangered Species Day! Today we celebrate the unique animals who call this planet home and focus on the ways we can help them thrive. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter May 5, 2020
Some of the animals here at Carolina Tiger Rescue are trained through operant conditioning. Today, you can see a training session yourself! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter April 22, 2020
Happy Earth Day! Today is a day to celebrate our beautiful planet! Earth Day is also a day to recognize the things we can do to help protect it and those that call it home. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter April 6, 2020
Today is Yanaba Tiger’s 13th birthday! Yanaba came to Carolina Tiger Rescue in 2018 with three other tigers, Kaari, Shira, and Tio from a facility in the southwestern United States. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde March 25, 2020
Today is a special day for someone in the sanctuary! It is Wednesday Kinkajou’s 32nd birthday! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter March 5, 2020
$26,300! That’s how much our wonderful donors gave to our 2020 Black Tie and Tails Ball Fund-A-Cause! Each year, Carolina Tiger Rescue chooses a Fund-A-Cause to be featured at our Black Tie and Tails Ball, our biggest fundraiser for the year. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes January 23, 2020
I’m coming to you with a recent update about Mick, Bowie, and Dylan, our newest male servals! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter January 2, 2020
The seven servals said goodbye to quarantine! I’m happy to report that they have all been moved into their outdoor enclosures. What a way to ring in the new year! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde December 11, 2019
The seven servals have names! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes November 25, 2019
I’m excited to tell you all that we will be welcoming seven servals into the family tomorrow! This rescue began several months ago when we were contacted by authorities in Canada after they shut down a backyard breeder. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde November 20, 2019
Let’s take a look at cat teeth!
All cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to survive and thrive. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter October 24, 2019
Emerson Tiger is in quarantine recovering from a veterinary procedure.
When our keepers feed the animals, they check them over before giving them any food and watch them as they eat to make sure everything is okay. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes October 3, 2019
Mila and Riley Tiger have been moved back into their enclosure in Pine Forest!
In September, the girls were moved from their enclosure so work could be done to it. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde September 10, 2019
Cats are split into two categories – big cats and small cats. There are several differences between these two groups, and, no, it is not just their size! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde August 15, 2019
I love ocelots an awful lot! I know, I know, bad pun, but seriously Magoo Ocelot is a really cool cat! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes August 1, 2019
As promised, I have updates on Beau Cougar, our only wild-born cougar rescue! Last time we talked, Beau had just moved to a different enclosure and he is loving it! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde July 26, 2019
And just like that, summer camp is over. Camp was full of so many exciting experiences and it flew by! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter July 24, 2019
Elvis Serval received a physical today. Our high school summer campers were able to witness the sanctuary’s medical care firsthand and even got to listen to Elvis’ heartbeat! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde July 11, 2019
Today, I want to talk about scientific names. Scientific names were created to help people talk about an animal even if they have different common names for the animal. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter June 17, 2019
Last week, I touched on Nakobi’s special needs at meal time. This week, I want to tell you about Elvis Serval’s unique food prep! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter June 10, 2019
Most of our animals can eat a whole carcass diet, meaning the raw meat and bones, with no problems. Nakobi Cougar and Elvis Serval, however, have some special meal preparation guidelines! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde May 24, 2019
As you probably know by now, I love finding new animals in the sanctuary. I found another native species today! I was heading back to visit Fenimore and Emerson Tiger at their off tour enclosure when I spotted a snapping turtle on the path! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes May 5, 2019
It has been warming up here at Carolina Tiger Rescue and summer is fast-approaching, bringing with it more heat. Our tigers love to cool off in the same way a lot of humans do in the summertime – swimming! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes May 2, 2019
With the changing seasons, came changes of scenery for a few animals at Carolina Tiger Rescue. Not only has spring hit the sanctuary, but Macano Coatimundi, Beau Cougar, Ranger Bobcat, and Talon Bobcat all moved to new enclosures in the span of a week! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde April 15, 2019
Hello there! Lately, I have been very busy getting ready for summer camp and our new homeschool program. I’m happy to report that all this preparation required a trip to one of my favorite places, the craft store, followed by an exciting find at the sanctuary! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes April 3, 2019
I come to you all today with exciting news! We rescued a bobcat on Wednesday, March 27, from Virginia. His name is Ranger! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes March 13, 2019
I have an exciting update for you today! Beau Cougar has been moved to an outdoor enclosure! The enclosure he is in now will not be his permanent enclosure; that is still being built. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes March 5, 2019
If you have read Dr. Hunter’s latest blog post, you know that Fenimore Tiger got his physical! This allowed us to get an ultrasound on his belly, to take some blood to get in-depth tests on, and to get a good look at him. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter March 4, 2019
We have been keeping a close eye on Fenimore Tiger over the last couple weeks. The keepers have noticed that he hasn’t been feeling his best, isn’t eating all his food, and is getting around a little slower than usual. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter February 8, 2019
Beau got his physical today! Every animal, within the first 30 days of coming to Carolina Tiger Rescue, receives a physical. This physical allows us to get a baseline on their health. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde January 31, 2019
Sometimes I am glad when my job takes me indoors! It is cold in Pittsboro, NC this morning! It’s only 17 degrees here! I know it’s colder in other parts of the country but us clouded leopards do not do so well in the cold! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter January 24, 2019
Sometimes, my job is a hard one and, as much as I love it, some days are harder than others. Today is one of those days. We have been keeping a close eye on Max Tiger for a while now. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde November 10, 2018
It’s a busy time here at the rescue! We have been working hard to finish up projects, get ready for winter, and of course care for the animals. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes November 8, 2018
It’s a cold and dreary day here in Pittsboro, NC. It’s 40 degrees and rainy. In fact we haven’t seen the sun in a couple days! Despite the cold and rain, the animals still need to be cared for. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde April 22, 2022
Earth Day was first established in the United States on April 22, 1970, to bring up issues of environmental responsibility and as a way to get the public more involved in environmental concerns. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes March 9, 2022
On March 4th, Carolina Tiger Rescue welcomed a new resident bobcat named Molly! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter March 1, 2022
This year, the end of February and beginning of March have brought a BIG change for the animals and staff at Carolina Tiger Rescue. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter December 22, 2021
With the holidays quickly approaching, we wanted to share some of our holiday traditions with you and share how we celebrate with the animals that call Carolina Tiger Rescue home. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde November 30, 2021
It’s Giving Tuesday at Carolina Tiger Rescue! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes November 9, 2021
The cooler fall weather is here and that means a few changes for the animals living at the sanctuary. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter October 27, 2021
It’s the time of year for exciting costumes, trick or treating and enjoying your favorite Halloween treats! But did you know that roughly 50% of packaged products found in our grocery stores contain palm oil? Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes September 30, 2021
Keeper Tessa here with an exciting animal update! We recently moved servals Mick, Dylan, Bowie, Cher, Stevie, and Queen to new enclosures. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter September 8, 2021
Since 1991, Carolina Tiger Rescue has rescued 93 animals, representing 11 different species from 18 different states. Of those 93 rescued animals, 14 of them have been servals. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes August 25, 2021
Today I want to tell you about our newest arrival at Carolina Tiger Rescue, a young serval named Pixie! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde April 13, 2021
Let me hear you belt out the birthday song for Willow Bobcat today! It is Willow’s first birthday! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter April 6, 2021
Happy anniversary, Tio Tiger! Today marks three years of Tio living in the sanctuary. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes March 25, 2021
Our oldest animal in the sanctuary, Wednesday Kinkajou, celebrates her 33rd birthday today. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde March 9, 2021
Daisy is spending some time outside in the warm weather! Daisy and the kinkajous can not handle the cold winters here at the sanctuary so they spend them indoors keeping cozy and warm. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde February 10, 2021
Our kinkajous and coatimundi are indoors for the cooler months. Their native range, meaning their usual habitat in the wild, is in warmer climates than we get here in North Carolina. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes January 22, 2021
Saber and Shira Tiger are exploring a new enclosure! Well, brand new to Shira and somewhat familiar to Saber. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter January 5, 2021
Carolina Tiger Rescue is home to 8 species of cats and 2 species that are members of the raccoon family, the kinkajou and coatimundi. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde July 29, 2020
Today, we celebrate the mighty tiger. Happy International Tiger Day! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes July 21, 2020
I have another Shira and Saber Tiger update for you all!
Last time we checked in with the pair, they had been introduced to one another in an off tour enclosure and were getting along wonderfully. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter July 13, 2020
As one of our oldest residents, Star Cougar needed a few more accommodations in her enclosure. The keepers worked with our site team to make the enclosure next door to hers a better fit for a senior cougar. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes June 28, 2020
After a full physical and the required time in quarantine, Daisy Coatimundi received the all-clear from our vet and moved into her very own outdoor enclosure! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes May 29, 2020
Join us in welcoming our newest resident, Daisy Coatimundi! Daisy, a South American Coatimundi, arrived last week after her private owner, who never intended to keep her as a pet, turned her over to us. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes May 11, 2020
Enrichment is vital for the health of captive animals. Enrichment keeps our animals physically and mentally stimulated, or active. It is anything that changes up an animal’s day and promotes natural and positive behavior. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde April 29, 2020
Kinkajous are native to Central and South America so they are used to much warmer weather than the winters of North Carolina. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes April 14, 2020
Last time Dr. Hunter talked about Shira and Saber, they had just been introduced and were doing well together. I am happy to report that this is still the case! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde April 3, 2020
There are a couple major differences between cat paw prints and dog paw prints. One difference is in the pad of the paw. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter March 30, 2020
Mama Serval has been cleared from quarantine and moved to an outdoor enclosure! When animals first come to Carolina Tiger Rescue, they must spend at least their first 30 days in quarantine. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes March 9, 2020
Carolina Tiger Rescue has welcomed another animal home! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes February 24, 2020
I have another animal update for you all. This time it is about Tasha Tiger! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter January 21, 2020
Saber Tiger has a new enclosure mate! If you have visited Carolina Tiger Rescue, you may remember Saber Tiger. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde December 13, 2019
Each of the seven new servals needs to have a physical done by our vet before they can leave quarantine. One problem we will look for during their physicals is metabolic bone disease, or MBD. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes November 28, 2019
The newest residents of Carolina Tiger Rescue are here! The seven servals from Canada arrived two days ago and are settling into their new home. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes November 22, 2019
Sometimes we are called to rescue an animal with plenty of time to get ready for their arrival. Other times, that is not the case, so we always want to be prepared. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes October 31, 2019
I handed out some more pumpkin enrichment this week and the cats loved it!
I gave pumpkins to Beau Cougar, Mila and Riley Tiger, and Shira Tiger. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes October 16, 2019
In the spirit of fall and Halloween, sanctuary residents receive special enrichment – pumpkins! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes September 12, 2019
Mila and Riley Tiger have been moved into quarantine and given access to its new expansion! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter August 22, 2019
Our quarantine building, Karen’s Keep, is getting an upgrade! Staff and volunteers have been working very hard to build outdoor shifts for future quarantined animals! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes August 9, 2019
Summer is quickly ending and, sadly, so is our time with our interns!
This year, we chose four interns to spend their summer with myself and the other keepers. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde July 31, 2019
Carolina Tiger Rescue staff have been so excited for the Lion King movie! Yesterday, we all went to Marbles IMAX theater to enjoy it and sing along to all the songs (in our heads, of course). Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter July 25, 2019
Summer camp here at the sanctuary is coming to a close. I must say one of my favorite parts of camp was the field trip we took to NC State with the high school campers! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes July 15, 2019
Ranger Bobcat continues to settle into his new home in the sanctuary! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes June 19, 2019
Have you ever been thirsty and not had access to water? Maybe you went on a hike and forgot your water bottle or forgot to pack a drink for lunch, whatever the situation, I’m sure it was no fun! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde June 14, 2019
In a previous post, I explained how we feed the kinkajous. Today, I want to talk about feeding a coatimundi! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes May 30, 2019
Our volunteers, work groups, and staff have been working for months on new outdoor habitats for Wednesday, Lola, Baxter, and Albert Kinkajou. Today, all the hard work was worth it when the kinkajous excitedly explored their new enclosures! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter May 19, 2019
Because we serve as a forever home to our rescues, loss is inevitable in our work. However, no matter how many times we go through it, it never gets easier. Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde May 3, 2019
I love spring at Carolina Tiger Rescue! Flowers have come out and so have some different creatures around the sanctuary. We’ve already seen adult and baby owls and today I found a turtle roaming the Rescue! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde April 25, 2019
Remember when I mentioned an adult owl hanging out near our staff entrance? Well, leaving the rescue yesterday, we could not believe our eyes! We have two baby owls living near the Food Prep building! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde April 7, 2019
My, what a busy weekend it has been! On Friday, we had a booth at Scifest and on Sunday, we took our education vehicle to Touch A Truck! Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes March 22, 2019
Feeding is always an exciting time in the sanctuary. The animals get really excited when they hear the food truck being loaded up! Read more here!
Dr. Chloe Wilde March 8, 2019
Have you ever heard of a kinkajou? Not many people have. You may know a relative of the kinkajou, though – the raccoon! Like raccoons, kinkajous are foragers and search for their food. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter March 5, 2019
It has been a busy week here at Carolina Tiger Rescue. I heard from Keeper Stripes that we safely moved Fenimore back out to his enclosure yesterday. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes February 15, 2019
Do you share a room with a brother or sister? If you do, you may know what it’s like to occasionally not get along with them and wish you had a room of your own. Our animals might go through the same thing with their enclosure-mates. Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter February 1, 2019
Last week was tough with the passing of Max Tiger, but one thing we have to remember is that we will continue to have animals who need us and we have to keep giving those animals our best, even when we are feeling down and out. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes January 25, 2019
Our new cougar cub has a name! We are so excited to start calling him by his name and to hopefully get him used to it and used to having humans around. Wild-born animals are much different than those who are born in captivity. Read more here!
Keeper Tessa Stripes January 16, 2019
What exciting news I have to share today! I was able to go on my first rescue yesterday and we brought a new cougar cub to his new forever home! What a crazy two days it has been, but it has been two days I will never forget! Read more here!
Dr. Lamar Hunter November 9, 2018
Rainy days make my job a bit harder. Sometimes it’s difficult to get a good look at the animals on rainy days because they hide out in their den boxes and can’t be bothered to emerge. Other times, if they do come up, they are covered in mud! Read more here!
