Nakobi is very talkative and loves attention from keepers and animal care volunteers that he knows. Nakobi is well-known for his stalking skills. He will often try to blend into a rock or hide behind a tree to sneak up on those who pass by. There was one time he had difficulty stalking a keeper because he got caught in a bush!

Born May 25, 2005

Rescued May 25, 2012

How Nakobi Came to the Sanctuary

Nakobi came to Carolina Tiger Rescue with Jericho Cougar, Roscoe and Camilla Tiger, and Roman and Reina Lion from Rescue One, a sanctuary in Ohio. Rescue One decided to close its doors because it could not keep up with the changing laws regarding wild animal ownership in Ohio. They also were in financial trouble and could no longer afford to keep their animals. Ohio had toughened their laws regarding exotic pet ownership following a 2011 incident in Zanesville, Ohio. A private owner released 56 of his lions, tigers, cougars, wolves, leopards, and bears before committing suicide. Unfortunately, law enforcement was forced to shoot the animals due to concerns for public safety. The following year, Ohio banned private ownership of dangerous wild animals.


Nakobi is a very talkative cougar who loves attention from those he knows. He does, however, get very anxious and skittish around big groups of people and is therefore off the tour path.


Nakobi is a very talkative cougar who loves attention from keepers and visitors he knows. He does, however, get very anxious around large groups of people and small kids. Nakobi continues to maintain his wild instincts and will often stalk unsuspecting people who walk by his enclosure, jumping out after them as they pass by. Cougars are ambush predators and will lie in wait for unsuspecting prey to venture by before attacking. Nakobi is a great example of how wild animals keep their instincts, even if they have lived in captivity their entire life.

Where in Sanctuary

Nakobi is located on Cherry Lane behind Star Cougar and is off the tour path.

Pet Trade

Before Nakobi was taken in by Rescue One in Ohio, he was the pet of a private owner. That private owner surrendered Nakobi to Rescue One when his living conditions changed, vowing to come back for him, though he never did. Nakobi now lives at Carolina Tiger Rescue and will do so for the rest of his life. As Nakobi has aged, he has had some health issues. These health issues likely would not have been addressed, or possibly not even noticed, by a private owner. Nakobi requires a specialized diet and a few medications to keep him looking and feeling his best. When privately owned wild animals become sick, the owners very often have a difficult time finding a vet who is willing and able to work with these dangerous animals. Had Nakobi been with his former owner and had not been able to receive proper vet care, he would have certainly passed away. Not only is owning a wild animal such as Nakobi dangerous, but it is also difficult to provide them with the care they need to live a healthy life.

Puma concolor