Santana was born at Carolina Tiger Rescue as part of our former breeding program.  He was a rambunctious, headstrong, and vivacious kitten, who matured into an elegant, athletic serval.  Santana, like all servals, is an excellent jumper.  He loves bounding around his enclosure and loved chasing his old neighbor, Aria Tiger, along the fence line.  Santana also finds joy in pouncing on unsuspecting leaves and sticks and playing in his water dish.  Occasionally, Santana will take a swipe at the vultures that come just a little too close to his enclosure to remind them that it is his territory and not theirs!

Born April 28, 2003

How Santana Came to the Sanctuary

Santana was born as part of Carolina Tiger Rescue’s former breeding program. Carolina Tiger Rescue, formerly Carnivore Preservation Trust, was originally founded to breed keystone species in hopes of one day releasing them into a safe environment but that day never came. Our animals who were born here will remain here for the rest of their lives.

Personality

Santana loves to catch snakes and rodents that wander into his enclosure and he has a history of pestering vultures that get a little too close.

Description

Santana was a rambunctious, headstrong, vivacious kitten who matured into an elegant, athletic serval. All servals are exceptional jumpers and Santana loves to go on intense bounding fits around his spacious enclosure. He also finds great joy in pouncing on unsuspecting leaves and sticks and spending serious time playing in his water dish. Santana has a world-class purr for those lucky enough to hear it.

Where in Sanctuary

Santana lives off tour in Pear Orchard. He lives next to Elvis Serval.

Breeding

In the late 1990s, Carolina Tiger Rescue, formerly Carnivore Preservation Trust, decided to no longer breed due to the number of accredited facilities that were abiding by the Species Survival Plan. The Species Survival Plan was set up to ensure that breeding in captivity is only being done to conserve a species. This helps limit needless breeding and helps prevent a surplus of animals living in captivity. Carolina Tiger Rescue only supports breeding in captivity if it is done in accordance with the Species Survival Plan.

Leptailurus serval

About Carolina Tiger Rescue

Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.

Carolina Tiger Rescue

1940 Hanks Chapel Rd. Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-4684 (919) 542-4454 info@carolinatigerrescue.org

Wildlife should be in the Wild

Rescue

Education

  • We believe the ideal home for wildlife is in the wild.
  • We believe it is critical to conserve their native habitats.
  • We believe wild animals should not be kept as pets.
  • We believe captive breeding should ONLY be done in accordance with Species Survival plans.
  • We believe all wild animals, both captive and in their native habitats, deserve to be treated with respect and not exploited for entertainment and commercial purposes.

Visit Carolina Tiger Rescue

Tiger at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Public Tours

Twilight Tours

Coming out for a tour is a great way to learn more about the animals that call Carolina Tiger Recue home. We offer many different types of tours.  Public tours are great for adults and families. Twilight tours are for adults only (18 years of age and older). Tiger Tales are a perfect option if you want to bring out really young children. Find the tour that is right for you and enjoy a walk through the sanctuary.

For all tours, tickets must be purchased in advance.

Have Fun Learning at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Field Trips

Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips link

Virtual Field Trips

Education is key to our mission.  We enjoy teaching "kids" of all ages!  Our field trips, both virtual and onsite, are ideal for groups of kids.  Our "Kid for a Day" Adult Camp provides a unique learning opportunity while allowing adults to channel their inner child.  While all of these opportunities are structured differently, in the end we want everyone to walk away knowing more about the animals we care for and what they can do to help protect them.

Bobcat at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
BOBCATS
Caracal at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
CARACALS
Coatimundi at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
COATIMUNDIS
Cougar at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
COUGARS
Kinkajou at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
KINKAJOUS
Lion at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
LIONS
NGSD at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
NGSD
Porcupine at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
Porcupines
Raccoon at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
Raccoons
Red Wolf at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
Red Wolves
Serval at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
SERVALS
Tiger at Carolina Tiger Rescue
Learn about
TIGERS
Animals
Games
Activities
Keeper Stripes

Get involved at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Individual volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Individual Volunteering

Group volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue

Group Volunteering

There are so many ways to be a part of Carolina  Tiger Rescue.  Individual volunteers are able to help in many aspects of our work, including animal care, tour guides, construction, and gift shop assistance.  Work groups come from community groups, colleges, work places, and more!  It’s a great way to spend a day and it helps care for the cats.