| Formation | 1992 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Eureka Springs |
| Website | https://www.turpentinecreek.org/ |
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) is a 459-acre (186 ha) wildlife refuge for abused, abandoned, and neglected big cats.[1]
The Eureka Springs, Arkansas, refuge houses 100 or more animals. The sanctuary primarily focuses on the care of tigers, but it also provides a home for a diverse range of other animals including lions, hybrids like ligers, cougars, servals, bobcats, bears, jaguars, leopards, hyenas, and caracals.[2][3]
Turpentine Creek is a member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers,[4] and in 2014,[5] it achieved Verified Status from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Expansion[edit]
In 2012 Turpentine Creek rescued 34 big cats from a breeding facility. To accommodate this massive number of cats a secondary area was built, which is now referred to as "Rescue Ridge". Many of the cats rescued from the facility were not used to human contact. To reduce stress on the animals this area is not open to the public.
At one point, the refuge was expanded. The original area, now referred to as the "Compound" that contained smaller cages with cement flooring has been emptied. Turpentine built grassy habitats ranging in size from 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre for the animals to live in.[citation needed]
By September 16, 2015, all of the small concrete cages that used to make up the majority of Turpentine Creek were emptied. On September 17, 2015, demolition of the old "compound" area began.[citation needed]
Turpentine Creek has an on-site Veterinary Hospital for the animals who reside there. The vet hospital is on Turpentine Creek's property and makes giving the animals medical attention easier. Having a vet hospital on-site is less stress to the animals and reduces the risk of the animals, or any human around them, from getting injured.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ "From Rescue to Refuge". 2022.
- ^ "Meet the Animals". Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
- ^ ""Adoption" Program". Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
- ^ "Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge - AAZK". American Association of Zoo Keepers. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
- ^ "Turpentine Creek Foundation, INC DBA Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge - Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries". Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
- "Lion, tiger take center stage at Libertyville High School". Daily Herald. Dec 15, 2001. Archived from the original on 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- Farrar, Lara (May 23, 2023). "With Help From 'Tiger King' Stars, Turpentine Creek Roars Into New Era". Arkansas Business. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- Sara, Karnes (May 26, 2021). "Ozarks refuge helps in rescue of nearly 70 big cats from 'Tiger King' park in Oklahoma". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- Parsons, Tom (Sep 27, 2002). "Arkansas refuge accepting big cats from Cleburne". The Tuscaloosa News. Little Rock. The Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- Smith, Jacob (Sep 21, 2022). "Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge rescues new bobcat". KNWA-TV. Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
- Thompson, Doug (March 31, 2023). "Target of 'Tiger King' plot giving big cats to Arkansas sanctuary". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Retrieved 2023-10-02.