Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary closes its doors after more than two decades

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. (KBSI) – Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary has been a beloved staple for the Ste. Genevieve area since 2004.

Now, after more than two decades, they have announced that they will be closing their doors, putting an end to big cat rescue and education.

Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary takes in tigers that have been abused, mistreated or unwanted and provides them with a safe home and lifelong care. John Madigan, is the Operations Manager for Crown Ridge.

“We will be closing, this fall. So, it is a decision made by our board, to kind of shut things down. So, the last weekend in September will be our last day for tours and then our lodging will remain open through the end of October.” 

Madigan shares that the need for Tiger sanctuaries isn’t as big as it once was.

“Recently there’s been less big cats that need to be rescued because of some changes in the laws that have, you know, helped. It’s kind of shifting towards more small cats. So now there’s more smaller cats that are, you know, needing to be rescued” says Madigan.

Currently Crown Ridge is home to three tigers, Thor who was one of the first tigers they ever took in, Sebastian who was one of 69 tigers rescued from the infamous Tiger King Park in Oklahoma, Madigan says when they got Sebastian he was small and malnourished but now he’s the biggest tiger they have, and Shakira who came from a zoo in Kansas.

Madigan shares what’s next for these big cats after they close. 

“Sebastian and Shakira will be moving to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. So there a sanctuary like ours, that we’ve worked with, for the past ten years on all sorts of different things. So, you know, we know them. We know they’ll be taken care of there and then Thor, because Thor is 23.5 years old. We’re not going to move her” 

Madigan shares that tigers in captivity only live to about 25 and Thor is deaf and older, so they don’t want to move her.

Madigan says he hopes that after they close that people continue to follow and support the cats.

“Hopefully they’ll continue, to follow, you know, Turpentine Creek and follow Shakira and Sebastian and, you know, and continue to support them there because, you know, they’re, a lot younger than Thor, so they’re going to be around for a lot longer, so they’ll still need that, you know, that care for the rest of their life. So hopefully they’ll follow the cats and continue to support them” says Madigan. 

Where the cats will be through September:Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary

Where they will be after: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge | A Non-Profit True Sanctuary for Big Cats