To Cecil, with love: 5 accredited animal sanctuaries

Animal admirers around the world were outraged when it was revealed that Zimbabwe’s famed Cecil the Lion had been murdered by a Minnesota dentist. Unfortunately Cecil—who was shot and killed July 1—wasn’t the only cat out there with a target on his back. Felines are regularly hunted for sport, or coveted for their meat or fur. On the brighter side, there are accredited animal sanctuaries where lions and other rulers of the jungle can live out their days in peace. Here are five radar-worthy animal sanctuaries, all of which are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

Big Cat Rescue: Tampa, FL
The largest accredited sanctuary in the country devoted entirely to abandoned or abused big cats boasts Leonardo DiCaprio and Harrison Ford among its supporters. Cats that wind up at Big Cat Rescue do so because they were neglected by their owner, grew too old for the circus, were confiscated during a drug raid, among numerous other reasons. A 1.5-mile walking tour offered every day but Thursday brings visitors into close contact with lions, tigers, leopards and more. Private feeding and night tours are also available.

Lions, Tigers and Bears: Alpine, CA
Hang out with Meatball, Gizmo, Raja and others at this big cat rescue east of San Diego, which is home not just to lions, tigers, leopards and bobcats, but also grizzly and black bears and other captive animals no longer wanted by their original owners. Visits are for members only (simply book a member-for-a-day tour for $30), and also include rare opportunities like the “Keeper for a Day Experience” in which visitors shadow a keeper, or the “Feed a Big Cat or Bear Experience,” which allows gueststhe chance to be part of the feeding process.

Shambala Preserve: Acton, CA
Actress Tippi Hedren, the star of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and mother of actress Melanie Griffith, is also a big-time animal advocate who harshly condemned the killing of Cecil. Hedren is the president of the Roar Foundation, which maintains the Shambala Preserve for lions, tigers and other big cats north of Los Angeles. Safari tours are open to the public one weekend a month (all visitors must be at least 18 years old). Deep-pocketed donors can book an overnight tented stay for the cost of a $3,000-per-person donation.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge: Eureka Springs, AR
There are many fun things to do in the crunchy, hippie Ozarks town of Eureka Springs—including wandering its Victorian streets, ghost hunting, admiring Thorncrown Chapel, gazing at the Christ of the Ozarks—not the least of which is a visit to Turpentine Creek, a 500-acre ranch and non-profit safe haven for big cats. Daily tours are guided and include close encounters with lions, tigers, leopards and cougars and even a couple of grizzly bears. Turpentine also has lodging options including camping, B&B rooms and a tree house.

The Wildcat Sanctuary: Sandstone, MN
Stick to the Mall America and the Walker Art Center on your next visit to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. For the protection of the animals, the Wildcat Sanctuary in upstate Minnesota isn’t open to the public, but that doesn’t mean their work isn’t important. This accredited, no-kill and not-for-profit haven for big cats counts lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars among its larger residents and is also home to cougars, bobcats and exotics like savannahs, servals and sengals. Take a virtual tour and consider making an online donation.

Tagged: California, Family time, Florida