Zach Liger WildCat Ridge Sanctuary

Meet our Lioness and Liger

Zach

In June 2025, just days after we took in four wildcats from West Coast Game Farm, we were contacted by our friends at Turpentine Creek  Wildlife Refuge asking if we could take in a cat from a facility that had been shut down. Of course, we said yes, and Mike Tuller and Ian Ford were on their way. They took turns driving for almost 24 hours straight. When they arrived, they were shocked at how debilitated this Liger was, but it didn’t stop us from loading him up and bringing him back to WildCat Ridge.

When Zach arrived, he was moved into his spacious enclosure and Staff made sure he had everything he needed. Because this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot name the facility from which he came. All we can tell you is that it had been repeatedly cited for violations and its state permit renewal was denied.

This sweet, beautiful boy lived the first several years of his life in a cramped, concrete cage. But despite his past treatment and his current condition, he is definitely enjoying his new natural habitat, the feel of grass under his paws (probably for the first time!) and the sun on his back.

Ligers like Zach are bred to be exploited, never loved, never cared for. Ligers (a lion and a tiger hybrid) are prone to genetic defects and ongoing health issues. His wobbly walk might be genetic or the result of being confined to such a small space for so long that his muscles atrophied. It might be a vitamin deficiency. Or he might have cerebellar hypoplasia, unknown head trauma, or a combination of all of the above. Our veterinary team is evaluating him and doing all the tests necessary to find out how to give him the healthiest, happiest life possible. But we need your help! His care will be costly and we are asking our wonderful supporters to step up for this sweet boy. The only crime he ever committed was stealing all of our hearts.
Zach is a Witness Protection Cat, which means he is part of an ongoing investigation. We aren’t sure what he’s been through before our rescue, but we are determined to provide him with the absolute best care moving forward. He has had a complete veterinarian workup up and the general consensus is he has a possible brain tumor. However, that won’t stop us from doing everything possible to support and provide for his health and welfare. We honestly have no idea what the future holds for Zach but we are seeing lots of positive signs, including his joy in enrichment. We believe in miracles, and Zach continues to show us he does as well.

Adopt Zach

With your $50 adoption fee, you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • The knowledge that you're making a difference in the lives of the wildcats at WildCat Ridge.

Sponsor Zach

With your $500 sponsorship fee you receive:

  • A sponsorship certificate.
  • An 8.5 x 11 full-color image (ready to frame).
  • The history of the wildcat you chose.
  • One private tour of WildCat Ridge (for two adults, no children under 18, June thru Sept. with the fulfillment of payment).