Rest wild and free, Kariba – February 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of African lioness, Kariba.
From a broken home
Rescued from Joe Exotic’s Oklahoma facility in 2019, Kariba and her roommate, Chobe, though not sisters by blood, formed an unbreakable bond after enduring years of horrific neglect and abuse at the hands of the infamous Tiger King. Likely used for breeding and housed in a small, concrete pen, the two girls were understandably suspicious about anything new.
When Kariba arrived at WCR she was anxious around anyone new, especially men. It took over two years of consistently kind care and attention from WCR keepers before she fully settled into her new surroundings, but once she did, she was the happiest of cats. She enjoyed spending her days sprawled in the sun, tongue lolling, right next to her bestie, Chobe.
An unbreakable bond
Kariba’s personality was marked by an endearing stubborn streak. Want her to go on the deck? She’d sit in the yard, pointedly ignoring you. Offer her chicken for breakfast? No thanks, it’s a pork kind of day. In spite of her sassy independence when it came to keepers, her love for Chobe knew no bounds. She was rarely further than a lion’s length away from her bestie and the two were often spotted wrestling (usually to the deep chagrin of poor Chobe). One of the most magical moments at the sanctuary was stepping out into the early morning mist and hearing the two girls caroling.
Echoes of sadness
Though a victim of inbreeding and the exotic pet trade, Kariba never let that dampen her belief that she was Queen of the WildCat Ridge Pride. She regularly let the keepers know just where they ranked in the hierarchy (hint: far below her and Princess Chobe). Sadly, her questionable genetics due to Joe Exotics’ penchant for indiscriminate breeding left her with severe intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
IVDD is all too common in big cats bred in captivity and is likely exacerbated by hybridization, inbreeding, and spending years living on hard, unnatural substrates in confined spaces. In the end, Kariba paid dearly for Joe’s cruelty long after being rescued. Despite medications initially offering her relief from pain and discomfort, the disease’s progression ultimately outpaced the efficacy of her meds. Kariba was never shy about informing the keepers of her wants and needs, and the end was no exception. Kariba’s pain became unmanageable and her ability to move as a lioness should was severely compromised. Kariba received exceptional care from an amazing team of veterinarians and animal care specialists every step of the way. Yet all the support and care in the world could not heal her battered spine and the difficult decision was made to let her go.
Kariba will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Her personality seeped into every crevice of the sanctuary and her loss is an unexpected blow that has left sanctuary staff reeling. Chobe continues to call, but without Kariba’s reply, an event that used to bring a sense of wonder to the sanctuary now only echos in sadness. Time will, no doubt, return the magic to Chobe’s calls, but for now we mourn the loss of one of the sanctuary’s most charismatic residents.
Help keep Kariba’s legacy and memory alive by watching her and Chobe’s amazing rescue story in the documentary Surviving Joe Exotic.
Kariba’s History
Kariba, an African Lioness born in 2014, came to WildCat Ridge Sanctuary on July 19, 2019 from Wildlife Waystation in California. When the authorities shut WW down that left over 420 animals that needed new homes. When we were contacted about helping we immediately said yes to bringing both Chobe and Kariba, another African Lioness to WCR. Originally coming from Joe Exotic’s place in Oklahoma the year before they had only been at Wildlife Waystation a year before having to be rehomed. Working with Tigers in America, who paid for transport costs, our team was the first Sanctuary to travel to CA and help.
Kariba is taller and lankier than Chobe and she has her tail. She is very stoic but we’ve found she loves boxes and has a great time playing with them. She adores her best friend Chobe and we often find them cuddling at nap time.
