East County News Service

Lions, Tigers and Bears invites you to a Christmas Festival on  Saturday, December 5^th from 1 to 4 p.m.  You can watch the animals open their Christmas presents –and get holiday shopping all in one day at the exotic animal rescue facility east of Alpine.

There will be also be many local vendors, food, entertainment and a special appearance by the man in red--Santa Claus.

Tickets are $25 for LTB members, $35 fo nonmemembers and $15 for children in advance. Tickets are also available at the door for $10 more. VIP passes are also available. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Lions Tigers and Bears efforts, including plans to build a new, spacious enclosure for the growing family of rescued big cats.

For details on admission, tickets and more, you can visit www.LionsTigersandBears.org.

Hear our interview with Bobbi Brink, founder of Lions Tigers and Bears, originally aired on KNSJ:  http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/uotfmyp3u1/Newsmaker-LionsTigersBears-TigerCubHimmel-BobbieBrink.mp3

By Tasha Matthews and Miriam Raftery

Tiger photos provided by Lions, Tigers and Bears

November 21, 2015 (Alpine) – A tiger cub found wandering the streets of Hemet, is now thriving thanks to care at Lions, Tigers and Bears sanctuary in Alpine.  Meet Himmel, named by a unanimous vote of LTB members after the late San Diego News 8 reporter Larry Himmel, a creative and brilliant newscaster who would often visit Lions, Tigers, and Bears.

Himmel, now four months old, is full of life and joy. When we visited, he ran up to the cage bars ready to romp and eager to be free. Fortunately at Lions, Tigers and Bears, the frisky cub can spend play time in larger enclosures where he has the opportunity to run, climb and even swim, also interacting with other tigers at this very special facility.

The young cub was declawed by prior owners and arrived limping. He also suffered a hernia, probably from being taken from his mother and mishandled at an early age. The cub, now a bouncing 45 pounds, is due for surgery in January. 

Now meet Tabu, a full-grown tiger. Don't get too close though!  Tabu has a mighty roar and an intimidating growl.

The 94- acre area Lions, Tigers and Bears sanctuary (nearly as large as the San Diego Zoo, with room to develop into an even larger facility someday) shares space with lions, tigers, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, and more. Home to over 60 animals, it’s a place where these animals are well taken care of and treated with the upmost tender loving care.

Bobbi Brink is the founder of Lions, Tigers, and Bears. Recently, we visited to take close-up look at some of the animals there.

 Due to the injustices that many of these animals face as a result of the exotic animal trade, Brink travels the country rescuing lions, tigers, bears and other large animals in need of a better home. She  also spends time lobbying for legislation to restrict or ban the sale of these animals by private individuals. 

Brink and her dedicated team of  volunteers provide security and plenty of TLC (tender loving care) that these animals need.

You can help ensure the safety of the rescued by donating, becoming a member, or attending the upcoming Christmas Festival at Lions, Tigers and Bears on December 5^th, when the animals will be given wrapped gifts to open. There will also be crafts, food and vendors for guests to enjoy.

To learn more, you can visit Lions, Tigers, and Bears at www.lionstigersandbears.org.

Photo: Bobbi Brink, right, with Tasha Matthews, a student at the University of California, San Diego and volutneer with East County Magazine.

East County News Service

April 2, 2016 (Alpine) -- Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB), San Diego's only non-profit accredited big cat, bear and exotic animal rescue sanctuary, invites guests to its annual Wild in the Country Fundraiser on Saturday, May 14th, from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a VIP reception from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. The family friendly event will feature a silent and live auction, live entertainment, a catered dinner and of course, visits with the big cats and bears.

"This is our biggest fundraiser each year," states Bobbi Brink, Founder/Director of LTB. "We depend on and value the support we receive from our guests and members. If you haven't been to LTB yet, this is a great time to come out, have fun and see the work that we do firsthand."

LTB expects more than 500 people in attendance. Featured auction items include a Hawaiian cruise, an African Safari, a Brewmaster Experience with Greenflash, a Mammoth vacation getaway, wine tastings, art, jewelry, dining experiences and so much more!

Tickets are on sale now and available online: https://lionstigersandbears.org/product/tickets-to-wild-in-the-country-2016/ , $110 for adults ($135 after April 29th), $45 for kids (12 and under) or $1,000 for a table for 10. VIP pricing is $250 for adults and $45 for kids (12 and under). A VIP table for 10 is $2,300. VIP tickets include a VIP reception that will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. VIP guests will be treated to a reception featuring hors d'oeuvres by renowned Chef Drew McPartlin, a complimentary cocktail and a "Feed a Wild One Experience" with the option to feed a lion, tiger or bear. Tickets must be purchased in advance, RSVP by May 6th, 2015.

Corporate and Donor Circle Sponsorships are also available. Email veronica@LionsTigersAndBears.org or call (619) 659-8078 option 5 for more details. 

Wild in the Country will be held rain or shine. Lions Tigers & Bears is located at 24402 Martin Way in Alpine, Calif. To purchase your tickets visit https://lionstigersandbears.org/product/tickets-to-wild-in-the-country-2016/, or call (619) 659-8078 option 2.

About Lions Tigers and Bears

Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) is a federally and state licensed non-profit 501(c)(3) rescue facility dedicated to providing a safe haven to abused and abandoned exotic animals while inspiring an educational forum to end the exotic animal trade. LTB is a NO KILL, NO BREED and NO SELL facility that allows the animals in its care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. LTB is one of the few sanctuaries in the United States with the highest level of accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuary Association.

For more information or to make a donation to help care for the animals at LTB, please visit www.LionsTigersAndBears.org or call (619) 659-8078.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (Los Angeles) - Lions Tigers & Bears, an Alpine-based nonprofit rescue organization, is helping with fire evacuation efforts at Wildlife Waystation, a non-profit animal sanctuary located in East Los Angeles County,  The Wildlife Waystation is home to over 400 animals of varying  species—from exotic birds and monkeys to lions, tigers, bears and over 40 chimpanzees.

Emergency evacuation efforts at Wildlife Waystation started yesterday as the Santa Clarita fire AKA the Sand Fire whipped through the area at an alarming rate.  The fire has now charred over 3,000 acres.

The Sand Fire broke out on Friday afternoon, and spread to over 3,000 acres by the evening hours. The Sand Fire was 1/2 a mile away from Wildlife Way Station and officials reported it was 0% contained when Lions, Tigers & Bears left San Diego.  As of Sunday, Wildlife Waystation posted on its Facebook page that the facility now appears safe—after many animals were evacuated.

Lions Tigers & Bears' rescue team loaded up its rescue hauler and an additional horse trailer with transport cages and carrier crates, emergency capture drugs/equipment, water, IV fluids, first aid and medical supplies as well as a stockpile of emergency fire evacuation equipment (fire masks, boots, gloves, goggles) to help the Wildlife Waystation get their animals to safety.

Lockwood Animal Rescue Center and PETA also helped with evacuation efforts.

You can help by making an emergency donation to replenish and purchase additional supplies for this massive evacuation effort  by clicking here. Please include "fire" in the donation note field.

What Does it Take to Evacuate Big Cats & Bears During a Fire Emergency?

Being prepared is the first step in a smooth and safe evacuation. Transport cages are the "working horse" and lifeline at LTB’s sanctuary if an emergency disaster like a fire strikes.

Because a lion is NOT your typical house cat, you can't just load them up in a carrier crate and be on your way. Instead, LTB uses transport cages to safely contain our big cats and bears.

These transport cages are custom designed and include safety bars, a stationary water dish and even a "feed shoot" to drop diets into the cage. The transport cages are on wheels so we can easily roll the cage from the habitat to our rescue hauler. 

Transport cages are integral to the day to day care of our animals as well as when an emergency strikes. They cost around $6,000 apiece to build.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

March 2, 2017 (Alpine) -- If a first responder does not already have Bobbi Brink, co-founder of Lions Tigers & Bears Exotic Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Alpine on speed dial they should consider it.  Why? Brink is accustomed to dealing with exotic animals and if a catastrophic event happens (flooding, wild fires plus).  Brink can show up and help handle the movement of that exotic animal. 

You sure you know all the types of animals your neighbors’ have?  No tiger cub stashed in the basement or backyard?  Think again. Owning exotic big cats is illegal in California, but still allowed in some other states—and owners have been known to transport contraband critters across state lines. 

“We work all over the states.  We work with first responders,” said Brink.  After all, not all cities have a zoo close enough to call for safe movement of lions, tigers and bears during an emergency.

That stated, on March 3^rd a birthday party was held for some of Brink’ beloved animals, a lion and two lionesses:  Bakari, Jillian, and Suri to be exact, complete with gift boxes with meat presents inside. Rest assured it did not take long for these big cats to find and eat their presents. The meat presents were made up of chicken, beef, a little pork and vitamin supplements. 

According to Brink, Lions Tigers & Bears, on Martin Way off the Japatul Valley Road exit on Highway 8, was founded in 2002.  Alyssa Cantrell, a keeper, said the first bear was actually a mini-donkey named “Bear.”

“This was a cow pasture,” explained Brink of the now 93-acre sanctuary facility.  “We slowly rescued one animal at a time.” That sanctuary will soon include another pool and enclosure, currently under construction, to be opened in April 2017.

The sanctuary has grown to include lions, tigers, black bears, bobcats, a mountain lion, leopard, Himalayan black bears, a macaw, grizzly bears, chickens, sheep, goats, horses, llamas, a miniature donkey, peacocks, and a miniature horse. A white lion and two lionesses will be added soon. Volunteers help with all aspects of running this rescue home for neglected, abused, abandoned, and illegally kept exotic animals.  This is a no-breed sanctuary, where animals are treated with kindness and given as much space as possible to live out their lives.

Volunteer Sam Theodore, who works in safety and maintenance, added, “The lions going off” are part of the sounds to get used to when you work around these big cat--unlike getting used to the sound of copiers, keyboard typing, and phones going off in other instances.

The sanctuary offers memberships to help with the costs involved in running it. According to Brink they have 20,000 on their mailing lists. Adults are $38 for admission and $15 for kids. Donations are always welcome.

Brink knows the personal stories of the animals and can easily recount the conditions the exotic animals were saved from, be it neglect or being housed illegally.  Maverick, a tiger, came to the sanctuary after being taken away from a celebrity rapper.  Maverick’s story made the national news.

Maverick’s birthday party will be April 20^th, another opportunity to watch an animal enjoy finding and opening their present.  In December a visitor can also watch more animals open their Christmas presents and there are multiple opportunities and events to attend.  Engaged couples can even tie the knot at the sanctuary.

If visitors wish to give the sanctuary a present and enjoy some unique entertainment, they can attend their biggest fundraiser held May 20^th named “Casino Royale at the Ranch.”   The event will feature a catered meal, live music, casino games, a live silent auction, and entertainment. 

To learn more, visit www.lionstigersandbears.org.

East County News Service

March 27, 2017 (Alpine) -- Lions, Tigers and Bears, an animal sanctuary in Alpine, has a new resident – a bouncing baby bobcat.

Weighing in at just 8 ounces, the rescued bobcat kitten is believed to be only about 10 days old.  The kitten was found near a neighborhood pool in Rancho Bernardo with no mother, so it was brought to a nearby pet hospital that in turn contacted Lions, Tigers and Bears.

The young bobcat is being bottle fed and doing well—but will require too much human contact to be returned to the wild, so he’ll becom e a permanent resident at Lions, Tigers and Bears.

Bobbie Brink, owner of the facility, reminds area residents that if you find a bobcat or other wild animal, it’s best to leave it alone and don’t touch it, even if it’s injured.

Instead, call a native species rehabilitation organization, or contact Lions and Tigers and Bears, so that the animal in need can be safely handled to maximize the chances that it can be returned to the wild.

You can visit www.LionsTigersandBears.org to view more photos of the baby bobcat and other animals, or to make a donation to help fund care for the bobcat kitten and other rescued animals.

By Valerie Watts

October 9, 2017 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers and Bears announces its annual Spooky Campover from 3 p.m. Friday October 27 until 12 p.m. October 28.  Bring your own pumpkin to carve, food, camping gear and best costume to 24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA 91901.  This event promises "a wild and ghoulish night under the stars with the rescued animals."  There will be pumpkin carving, s'mores, campfire songs, a costume contest and animal feedings.  To reserve your spot for this unique camping adventure, call (619) 659-8078 option 2, or book online www.lionstigersandbears.org

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2017 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers and Bears, an exotic animal sanctuary in Alpine, has completed a new multi-acre habitat with creature comforts including a large pond, a waterfall, climbing platforms, natural terrain and large trees.

Louie, a rare white African lion (pictured right), was first released into the new habitat area on Tuesday, following two lionesses released earlier this month. The first public release on Saturday, December 2nd coincides with the facility’s annual Christmas Festival benefit, when you can also watch the animals open their holiday gifts.

The new habitat’s permanent residents will include Diego (pictured bottom right), a California bobcat rescued as a kitten, who was recently returned to the Alpine facility which will serve as his forever home.  

For more information, you can visit www.LionsTigersandBears.org.

By Miriam Raftery

December 23, 2017 (Alpine) – Bobbi Brink and her rescue team from Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine have spent much of December traveling to several southern states, rescuing five black bears and a white tiger cub. The white tiger cub will soon have a permanent new home at LTB in Alpine.

According to Brink, the five-month-old white tiger cub had suffered severe neglect under a private owner in Louisiana, separated from its mother at far too early an age. “Despite her dire condition when first rescued, she has improved dramatically with proper veterinary care,’” Brink reports.  Watch her playful video here.

Next, the team is headed to Alabama to pick up three black bears, one less than a year old, all being housed in very small enclosures. Then they rescued a Syrian brown bear and a black bear/grizzly bear hybrid in North Carolina.

The bears were transported to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, where they will enjoy open space to roam, some for the first time in their lives.

To learn more or support the efforts of Lions, Tigers and Bears (a no-kill, no breed rescue facility), visit www.LionsTigersandBears.org.

By Miriam Raftery

January 20, 2018 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers in Bears in Alpine is having a contest to name its newest resident:  a recently rescued white tiger cub. 

Here are the choices:

NOLA: Short for New Orleans, Louisiana, where she was rescued from.

MISSY: By chance, two of the women in Louisiana who were key in helping to rescue the cub are named Missy. We propose this name in their honor.

ZOE: In honor of a longtime, dedicated supporter of LTB who works tirelessly on behalf of captive big cats and exotic animals. 

CHARLIE: Suggested by LTB supporter Sundi, who won last year's auction package at Wild in the Country to join Bobbi on this life-saving rescue.

SASSY: LTB volunteers use this word quite a bit to describe her playful, spunky nature!    

How to Vote

Simply make a donation of any amount to LTB and tell us your favorite name. Each vote equals $1, so if you make a $25 donation, that's 25 votes!

Ways to Donate

• Make a donation online of any amount, and include your name choice in the "Donation Note" field.
• Call (619) 659-8078 x5 to vote by phone, and indicate which name you're voting for.
• Mail a check to LTB at 24402 Martin Way, Alpine CA 91901, and include a note with your name choice

Watch for updates on Facebook and upcoming e-newsletters to see which names are in the lead. Donate as often as you like, and as much as you like. The winning name will be announced on Valentine's Day, February 14th.

Deadline to Vote

Donations for votes must be received by Tuesday, February 13th at midnight. Votes will be applied based on all donations received by voting participants between January 11th and February 13th. Memberships, visits, or other purchases do not apply. 

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (Alpine) - Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego's only accredited big cat and exotic animal rescue, will host its annual springtime fundraiser, “Wild in the Country” on Saturday, May 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. This year's theme is Rock 'n' Roar.

Located just outside Alpine on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest, the sanctuary is home to over 75 animals, 19 species in total, including African lions, Bengal tigers, American black bears, Himalayan black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions, leopards, an African serval, bobcats and dozens of rescued ranch animals.

Guests will enjoy al fresco dining in an idyllic country setting, plus live entertainment and the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime auction item experiences, all while in the company of the sanctuary's animals.

This family-friendly event, the organization's largest fundraiser of the year, is open to the public and tickets are on sale now.

What:            Wild in the Country: Rock 'n' Roar  

When:           Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.  

VIP reception: 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  

Where:          24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA 91901 

Tickets:         General Admission - $120

VIP Admission - $300

Children 12 and under - $45

Tickets may be purchased online, or call (619) 659-8078 ext. 2. VIP tickets are sold through May 11, and include an exclusive reception hour and premier seating. General Admission tickets increase to $145 starting May 12. 

Proceeds from Wild in the Country are a major source of funding to support the daily needs of the animals who live at Lions Tigers & Bears.

About Lions Tigers & Bears

Lions Tigers & Bears is a federally and state licensed 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescue facility dedicated to providing a safe haven to abused and abandoned exotic animals while inspiring an educational forum to end the exotic animal trade. Lions Tigers & Bears is a NO KILL, NO BREED and NO SELL facility that allows the animals in its care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. Lions Tigers & Bears is one of the few sanctuaries in the United States with the highest level of accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuary Association.

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2018 (Alpine) -- Bobbi Brink at Lions, Tigers and Bears posted photos of the exotic wildlife at her rescue sanctuary in Alpine reacting to today's heavy snowfall, including a pair of lions, a white tiger, and a rescued bobcat.

Enjoy the views!

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (Los Angeles) - Lions Tigers & Bears, an Alpine-based nonprofit rescue organization, is helping with fire evacuation efforts at Wildlife Waystation, a non-profit animal sanctuary located in East Los Angeles County,  The Wildlife Waystation is home to over 400 animals of varying  species—from exotic birds and monkeys to lions, tigers, bears and over 40 chimpanzees.

Emergency evacuation efforts at Wildlife Waystation started yesterday as the Santa Clarita fire AKA the Sand Fire whipped through the area at an alarming rate.  The fire has now charred over 3,000 acres.

The Sand Fire broke out on Friday afternoon, and spread to over 3,000 acres by the evening hours. The Sand Fire was 1/2 a mile away from Wildlife Way Station and officials reported it was 0% contained when Lions, Tigers & Bears left San Diego.  As of Sunday, Wildlife Waystation posted on its Facebook page that the facility now appears safe—after many animals were evacuated.

Lions Tigers & Bears' rescue team loaded up its rescue hauler and an additional horse trailer with transport cages and carrier crates, emergency capture drugs/equipment, water, IV fluids, first aid and medical supplies as well as a stockpile of emergency fire evacuation equipment (fire masks, boots, gloves, goggles) to help the Wildlife Waystation get their animals to safety.

Lockwood Animal Rescue Center and PETA also helped with evacuation efforts.

You can help by making an emergency donation to replenish and purchase additional supplies for this massive evacuation effort  by clicking here. Please include "fire" in the donation note field.

What Does it Take to Evacuate Big Cats & Bears During a Fire Emergency?

Being prepared is the first step in a smooth and safe evacuation. Transport cages are the "working horse" and lifeline at LTB’s sanctuary if an emergency disaster like a fire strikes.

Because a lion is NOT your typical house cat, you can't just load them up in a carrier crate and be on your way. Instead, LTB uses transport cages to safely contain our big cats and bears.

These transport cages are custom designed and include safety bars, a stationary water dish and even a "feed shoot" to drop diets into the cage. The transport cages are on wheels so we can easily roll the cage from the habitat to our rescue hauler. 

Transport cages are integral to the day to day care of our animals as well as when an emergency strikes. They cost around $6,000 apiece to build.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

March 2, 2017 (Alpine) -- If a first responder does not already have Bobbi Brink, co-founder of Lions Tigers & Bears Exotic Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Alpine on speed dial they should consider it.  Why? Brink is accustomed to dealing with exotic animals and if a catastrophic event happens (flooding, wild fires plus).  Brink can show up and help handle the movement of that exotic animal. 

You sure you know all the types of animals your neighbors’ have?  No tiger cub stashed in the basement or backyard?  Think again. Owning exotic big cats is illegal in California, but still allowed in some other states—and owners have been known to transport contraband critters across state lines. 

“We work all over the states.  We work with first responders,” said Brink.  After all, not all cities have a zoo close enough to call for safe movement of lions, tigers and bears during an emergency.

That stated, on March 3^rd a birthday party was held for some of Brink’ beloved animals, a lion and two lionesses:  Bakari, Jillian, and Suri to be exact, complete with gift boxes with meat presents inside. Rest assured it did not take long for these big cats to find and eat their presents. The meat presents were made up of chicken, beef, a little pork and vitamin supplements. 

According to Brink, Lions Tigers & Bears, on Martin Way off the Japatul Valley Road exit on Highway 8, was founded in 2002.  Alyssa Cantrell, a keeper, said the first bear was actually a mini-donkey named “Bear.”

“This was a cow pasture,” explained Brink of the now 93-acre sanctuary facility.  “We slowly rescued one animal at a time.” That sanctuary will soon include another pool and enclosure, currently under construction, to be opened in April 2017.

The sanctuary has grown to include lions, tigers, black bears, bobcats, a mountain lion, leopard, Himalayan black bears, a macaw, grizzly bears, chickens, sheep, goats, horses, llamas, a miniature donkey, peacocks, and a miniature horse. A white lion and two lionesses will be added soon. Volunteers help with all aspects of running this rescue home for neglected, abused, abandoned, and illegally kept exotic animals.  This is a no-breed sanctuary, where animals are treated with kindness and given as much space as possible to live out their lives.

Volunteer Sam Theodore, who works in safety and maintenance, added, “The lions going off” are part of the sounds to get used to when you work around these big cat--unlike getting used to the sound of copiers, keyboard typing, and phones going off in other instances.

The sanctuary offers memberships to help with the costs involved in running it. According to Brink they have 20,000 on their mailing lists. Adults are $38 for admission and $15 for kids. Donations are always welcome.

Brink knows the personal stories of the animals and can easily recount the conditions the exotic animals were saved from, be it neglect or being housed illegally.  Maverick, a tiger, came to the sanctuary after being taken away from a celebrity rapper.  Maverick’s story made the national news.

Maverick’s birthday party will be April 20^th, another opportunity to watch an animal enjoy finding and opening their present.  In December a visitor can also watch more animals open their Christmas presents and there are multiple opportunities and events to attend.  Engaged couples can even tie the knot at the sanctuary.

If visitors wish to give the sanctuary a present and enjoy some unique entertainment, they can attend their biggest fundraiser held May 20^th named “Casino Royale at the Ranch.”   The event will feature a catered meal, live music, casino games, a live silent auction, and entertainment. 

To learn more, visit www.lionstigersandbears.org.

East County News Service

March 27, 2017 (Alpine) -- Lions, Tigers and Bears, an animal sanctuary in Alpine, has a new resident – a bouncing baby bobcat.

Weighing in at just 8 ounces, the rescued bobcat kitten is believed to be only about 10 days old.  The kitten was found near a neighborhood pool in Rancho Bernardo with no mother, so it was brought to a nearby pet hospital that in turn contacted Lions, Tigers and Bears.

The young bobcat is being bottle fed and doing well—but will require too much human contact to be returned to the wild, so he’ll becom e a permanent resident at Lions, Tigers and Bears.

Bobbie Brink, owner of the facility, reminds area residents that if you find a bobcat or other wild animal, it’s best to leave it alone and don’t touch it, even if it’s injured.

Instead, call a native species rehabilitation organization, or contact Lions and Tigers and Bears, so that the animal in need can be safely handled to maximize the chances that it can be returned to the wild.

You can visit www.LionsTigersandBears.org to view more photos of the baby bobcat and other animals, or to make a donation to help fund care for the bobcat kitten and other rescued animals.

By Valerie Watts

October 9, 2017 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers and Bears announces its annual Spooky Campover from 3 p.m. Friday October 27 until 12 p.m. October 28.  Bring your own pumpkin to carve, food, camping gear and best costume to 24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA 91901.  This event promises "a wild and ghoulish night under the stars with the rescued animals."  There will be pumpkin carving, s'mores, campfire songs, a costume contest and animal feedings.  To reserve your spot for this unique camping adventure, call (619) 659-8078 option 2, or book online www.lionstigersandbears.org

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2017 (Alpine) - Lions, Tigers and Bears, an exotic animal sanctuary in Alpine, has completed a new multi-acre habitat with creature comforts including a large pond, a waterfall, climbing platforms, natural terrain and large trees.

Louie, a rare white African lion (pictured right), was first released into the new habitat area on Tuesday, following two lionesses released earlier this month. The first public release on Saturday, December 2nd coincides with the facility’s annual Christmas Festival benefit, when you can also watch the animals open their holiday gifts.

The new habitat’s permanent residents will include Diego (pictured bottom right), a California bobcat rescued as a kitten, who was recently returned to the Alpine facility which will serve as his forever home.  

For more information, you can visit www.LionsTigersandBears.org.