Here comes Lucy Lioness

Here comes Lucy Lioness Lucy's Story Species: African Lion (Panthera leo) DOB: June 6, 2016 Sex: Female Arrival Date: May 22, 2025 In May 2025, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) responded to a critical rescue after a California facility lost its permit due to repeated animal welfare violations. Partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, TCWR helped rescue and relocate eight wild animals—including Lucy—to lifelong sanctuary at the Refuge. Lucy is a lioness whose resilience and spirit shine through despite the challenges she has faced. She suffers from lifelong effects of Metabolic Bone Disease, likely caused by malnutrition during her critical growth stages at a young age. As a result, her legs are bowed and shortened—but don’t tell Lucy that! She runs, plays, and explores with a joyful energy, completely unaware of her deformities. Lucy had to be sedated to load her for transport. During that time, our veterinary team performed an initial exam and noted she was missing a random claw. Her weight was within a healthy range, and her thick, overgrown nails were trimmed to prevent them from becoming ingrown. Upon arrival at the Refuge, she was promptly treated for roundworms. Due to her unique needs, Lucy was placed in a medium-sized cat habitat within our expansive Freedom Field. There, she has access to soft ground and plenty of space to run and play safely. She’s thriving in her new surroundings and endears herself to everyone with her goofy, playful nature. #TCWR #GFAS #TurpentineCreek #Sanctuary #SanctuaryLife #afternoon #goodafternoon #lioness #lions #storyteller #storytime #storytelling #bio #rescuestory #backstory Learn more about Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge at https://www.turpentinecreek.org/ Find us on the following Social Media Channels & Pages Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurpentineCreekWildlifeRefuge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turpentinecreek/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turpentine-creek-wildlife-refuge/