Lioness
DOB 2/3/01
Rescue 11/30/01
Nikita was found chained to the wall in a crack house during a drug bust in Tennessee. Because she had been confined to a concrete floor, she had huge swellings on her elbows that took months to heal. She was so thin that you could carry her under one arm. She would only eat white rabbits, so she had a plethora of nutritional issues to deal with as well.
The authorities took her to the Nashville Zoo at Grasmere, but she had been declawed and could not live with the zoo's other lions. They had to find a new home for her, so we received the call. Big Cat Rescue agreed to take Nikita in, as well as three other Bobcats who all arrived on 11/30/01.
Nikita has flourished under our care. She has grown into a tall, lanky, healthy lioness. She’s extremely playful and loves to roll on her back and grab her paws or try to do somersaults whenever she has visitors stopping by to talk with her. Though we wish she had the freedom she deserves, we’re so happy that she survived her earlier ordeals to enjoy the blissful days we try to provide for her here.
Sponsor Nikita http://big-cat-rescue.myshopify.com/collections/sponsor-a-cat
Watch Nikita Lion LIVE on explore.org
Here is a list of pages on our site that you can find more information, photos, and videos of Nikita Lion.
See Chris & Gale setting up Piñatas for Cameron and Nikita the lions and Zabu the white tiger in this Wildcat Walkabout Video on April 25, 2014 - http://bigcatrescue.org/now-big-cat-rescue-april-25-2014/
Pumpkin time for Nikita Lion: http://bigcatrescue.org/pumpkin-time-for-nikita-she-seems-pretty-happy-about-it-lion-pumpkin-halloween-funny/
Nikita Lioness seized in drug raid! http://bigcatrescue.org/lion-seized-in-drug-raid/ and http://bigcatrescue.org/000news/Advocat/2012-2.pdf
Nikita Lioness all grown up: http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-sept-24-lion-cage-grand-opening/
The walls start to go up on a new play yard for Nikita: http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-aug-21-2/
Nikita the lioness loves her new view and can't wait for room addition: http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-jan-29-army-strong/
The last couple wall go up: http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-sept-12-iphone-5-announced/3/
Watch Nikita the Lion explore her new enclosure! http://bigcatrescue.org/new-lion-home/
Photos of Gayle talking to Nikita Lion: http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-talk-like-a-pirate-day/
I wonder what Nikita is thinking while she watches the volunteers and Interns working? http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-sept-14/
LION VS Big Yellow Ball = Lion Wins! Watch our goofy lioness Nikita take on her new yellow boomer ball! Enrichment is an important part of our cats lives at the sanctuary they will never be free and wild, so we have to keep their minds stimulated with new toys and enrichment, ensuring the best quality life in captivity. http://bigcatrescue.org/lion-vs-big-yellow-ball/
Another photo of Nikita: http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-sept-6-2/
Watch as our tigers and lions have fun destroying whole watermelons! http://bigcatrescue.org/tag/lions/page/25/
We didn’t think Nikita Lion would ever feel comfortable going into a confined space like one of our feeding lockouts, but she looks pretty content. http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-sept-16/
RNC visits Big Cat Rescue Lioness Nikita: http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-aug-29-2/4/
See photos - Dr Justin used a bent spoon to dislodge a stick that had gotten stuck across the roof of Nikita Lioness’ mouth. http://bigcatrescue.org/today-at-big-cat-rescue-sept-5-2/
Nikita Lion and her yellow ball
Nikita Lion "I Haz Feets"
Meet the rest of our exotic wild cats.
Kylie Mosbacher
June 14, 2011 at 3:04 pm
I’ve been wondering; what percentage, do you think, of big cat owners are your odd, everyday, dangerous-animal-obsessed person, and what percentage of owners are criminals with several other crimes under their belt? Is that kind of a number impossible to determine?
Patty Hardtke
November 5, 2012 at 5:40 pm
I am a fan of The Big Cat Rescue Center and enjoy all of the video's that u all post for us to view, Nikita is lucky that she has a great place to live and lots of people that love her thank u for sharing her story she is truly a beauty…………..
Jan Badinski
November 6, 2012 at 4:46 am
IMO all big cats and little kitties are beautiful, just some people don't see it right away.
Jan Badinski
November 6, 2012 at 4:45 am
A cat is a cat is a cat. They all respond better to a loving environment and a gentle hand. She sounds like she's quite a character, she just needed a home for people to see it. May her and her kitty friends flourish, they will under Big Cat Rescue's knowledgeable loving care.
Jan Badinski
November 6, 2012 at 4:47 am
Majestic kitties
Jan Badinski
November 6, 2012 at 4:52 am
I can see why she adopted him. She seems to, identify with him, probably wants to be petted but that's really not a good idea. I'd bet part of her food time issues isn't just because of her nature, its because she was starved when in captivity before being brought to the rescue. Do lions like to eat deer?
Linda Varey
November 6, 2012 at 4:57 pm
keep up the great work.
Patty Hardtke
November 23, 2012 at 12:08 am
I am a fan of The Big Cat Rescue Center and enjoy all of the video’s that u all post for us to view, Nikita is lucky that she has a great place to live and lots of people that love her thank u for sharing her story she is truly a beauty…………..
Jan Badinski
November 23, 2012 at 12:08 am
IMO all big cats and little kitties are beautiful, just some people don’t see it right away.
Jan Badinski
November 23, 2012 at 12:08 am
A cat is a cat is a cat. They all respond better to a loving environment and a gentle hand. She sounds like she’s quite a character, she just needed a home for people to see it. May her and her kitty friends flourish, they will under Big Cat Rescue’s knowledgeable loving care.
Jan Badinski
November 23, 2012 at 12:08 am
Majestic kitties
Jan Badinski
November 23, 2012 at 12:08 am
I can see why she adopted him. She seems to, identify with him, probably wants to be petted but that’s really not a good idea. I’d bet part of her food time issues isn’t just because of her nature, its because she was starved when in captivity before being brought to the rescue. Do lions like to eat deer?
Linda Varey
November 23, 2012 at 12:08 am
keep up the great work.
Heidi M. Green-Carpenter
January 11, 2013 at 2:08 am
enjoyed to see Nikis film, glad she is happy and has a great home…………….thank you for caring.
Jillian Wagner
June 27, 2013 at 9:15 pm
She is soooooo lucky to be there with you guys… 🙂
Nemia Capili Lumaino
June 28, 2013 at 11:53 am
God bless you, BCR!
Heidi M. Green-Carpenter
August 9, 2013 at 2:41 am
you need to check the BIG Cat Rescue out, the pictures are awesome…………..
Shondelle Naturallybossin Davies
August 13, 2013 at 3:34 pm
ok the white one was not playing games they r beautiful.
Diane Spencer
September 20, 2013 at 1:15 am
The most inspiring story that against all odds and in the hands of good care, not only did she lived she blossomed into a beautiful Lioness all because you cared.
Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL
Thank you for giving me the sites to go and tell her story, she gives me so much hope and to never give up. <3 Thank you.
LaWanna Mitchell
March 19, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Thank you Heidi M. Green-Carpenter, for that comment!!
Lisa Hall
June 16, 2014 at 8:36 pm
She is adorable
Wendy Carew
July 15, 2014 at 9:12 pm
???? What kind of a monster would declaw a lion? Horribly wrong
Michelle
March 4, 2020 at 11:36 pm
Is Nikita actually a lioness? Or a Ligress (Liger)? She looks like one.
MCKAYLAMyers
March 25, 2020 at 6:34 pm
I feel So bad for Nikita as she does Nothave Cameron eitherAnymore and to add to that somethings not with her either Zabou the white tiger is not around to be with her either Guys you really need to give her extra Attention because she doesn’t have Cameron or Zabu