Rescued Exotic Animals Get To Have A Thanksgiving Feast Of Their Own At Lions Tigers & Bears

Lion Tigers & Bears, San Diego’s only accredited big cat and bear sanctuary, welcomes guests to spend the festive food-filled holiday with its exotic animals.

The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 26-27, the wild animal rescue and education facility will celebrate the holiday with a morning of enriching animal activities at its annual “Thanksgiving Turkey Bash.”

This event has evolved into a beloved tradition and a visitor favorite!

Watch the animals feast!

The annual Turkey Bash is a guided visit where guests can watch the lions, tigers and other rescued cats devour their Thanksgiving turkeys and the rescued bears enjoy stuffed pumpkins.

The family-friendly celebration is a special twist on the regularly scheduled 10AM guided visit at Lions Tigers & Bears. Ticket prices, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit’s animals’ care and upkeep, are: members, $30 for adults and $15 for kids, and nonmembers are $60 for adults and $35 for kids.

Help support their ‘forever homes’

During the two-day event, guests will encounter exotic animals that have been rescued and given forever homes in the wide-open habitats in Alpine. The animals residing at Lions Tigers & Bears include retired circus animals, survivors of inhumane photo and petting opportunities, and abandoned and illegally-owned big cats.

“Our Turkey Bash is an all-around special event: our animals are fed festive foods, our visitors are delighted by lions springing into a pool to enjoy a turkey and we are thankful for all of our visitors that help us maintain our sanctuary and rescue abused and abandoned animals,” said Lions Tigers & Bears Founder and Director Bobbi Brink.

Tickets are available online here or by calling 619-659-8078. All proceeds benefit the rescued animals, providing food, enrichment, habitat maintenance, veterinary care and more. The events will happen rain or shine.

See you there, San Diego!