A striking black leopard named Onyx has found a permanent sanctuary in California after being rescued from dire circumstances in a roadside animal enclosure.
Nearly a year ago, Onyx was saved by Lions, Tigers & Bears, a sprawling 142-acre rescue sanctuary situated in Alpine, California. This sanctuary provides refuge to over 60 exotic animals, offering them a safe and nurturing environment.
Onyx’s early years were spent in captivity, subjected to the harsh conditions of a roadside operation in Oregon that left him traumatized.
“He lived in a confined space on sharp, pebbly rocks, which was quite distressing and traumatic for him,” shared Bobbi Brink, the founder and director of Lions, Tigers & Bears, with NBC San Diego. “He was caught in the midst of chaos, and it was truly a difficult situation for him.”
Now, almost a year after his rescue alongside hundreds of other animals, Onyx has finally settled into a specially designed enclosure tailored to his needs.
“We’ve created this space specifically for Onyx,” a sanctuary spokesperson told the news outlet, highlighting the care and attention given to his new home.
‘He can get up high, because of course, leopards like to be up high. And he’s got the grass and some water features and rocks.’
Onyx’s caretaker said he has settled in nicely in his forever home after months of care and rehabilitation.
Onyx was rescued nearly a year ago by Lions, Tigers & Bears a 142-acre big cat and animal rescue sanctuary in Alpine, California which is dedicated to abused and abandoned exotic animals
Onyx moved recently moved into his custom exhibit after living in ‘a small cage on rock, like pebbly rock, which is really sharp and kind of sad, and he was kind of in the middle of all the chaos,’ Bobbi Brink, founder and director of Lions, Tigers & Bears, told NBC San Diego
‘I think just that relief that he’s OK, and now he’s set,’ Brink said. ‘He’s gonna be a happy cat.’
The sanctuary is dedicated to abused and abandoned exotic animals, which they do not breed.
Conga, another leopard at Lions, Tigers & Bears, was also rescued after being born into captivity.
She was rescued in June 2004 from the exotic pet trade in Texas at just five weeks old, according to the sanctuary’s website.
Brink helped bottle-feed the young cat back to health and helped her thrive.
A ramp was built for Conga in 2023 to help her in her older age, as she is now 21 years old.
Brink began the sanctuary in September 2002, after she rescued two tigers, Raja and Natasha, from deplorable living conditions in a backyard in Texas
Onyx’s caretakers said he has settled in nicely to his forever home after months of care and rehabilitation
Leopards live to about 12 to 15 years in the wild and can live roughly an extra 10 years in captivity.
Lions, Tigers & Bears travels thousands of miles across the country to states such as North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and New York.
The organization began in September 2002, after Brink rescued two tigers, Raja and Natasha, from deplorable living conditions in a backyard in Texas.
