Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

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. It mainly specializes in tigers, but there are also lions, leopards, cougars, bobcats, black bears, ligers, servals, a monkey, a coatimundi and a grizzly bear.

This refuge is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensed facility.

The refuge is open every day of the year (except Christmas) from 9 a.m. until about 5 p.m. (winter) or 6 p.m (summer).

Turpentine Creek depends on volunteers and donations.[2][3]

Front Entrance to TCWR

Expansion

Map of the tours and grounds open to the public.

In 2012 Turpentine Creek rescued 34 big cats from a breeding facility.[4] 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 to the animals this area is not open to the public.

Turpentine Creek has spent the past few years working to expand the refuge. The original area, now referred to as the "Compound" that contained smaller cages with cement flooring has been emptied. Turpentine has built spacious, grassy habitats ranging in size from 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre for the animals to live in over the past 14 years.

As of Sept. 16th 2015, all of the small concrete cages that used to make up the majority of Turpentine Creek have been emptied. Sept. 17th 2015, demolition of the old "compound" area began.

Turpentine Creek has an on-site Veterinary Hospital for the animals who reside at Turpentine Creek. 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.[5]

Internships

Turpentine Creek offers a 6-month internship program for college graduates who have earned degrees in a field of study that is relevant to animal welfare. A degree in Zoology, Biology or related field is preferred, but experience with exotic animal husbandry is sometimes accepted. Currently Turpentine has past interns working at Zoos and Sanctuaries all over the USA and even a few in other countries around the world.

Safari Lodging

Lodging

Turpentine Creek has six Tent/RV spots and ten suites that guests can stay at overnight. The Safari Lodges are for people 18+, the Okavango is handicap accessible. The Siberian and Bengal suites are for families and can house up to a max of 4 people of any age. The tree house can house up to a max of 4 people ages 5 and up. And a seasonal 'glamping' tent that can house up to a max of 5 people of all ages.[6]

Accreditations & Acknowledgments

In 2015 Turpentine Creek reached Verified Status from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

Turpentine Creek is a member of AAZK - The American Association of Zoo Keepers - [7]

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge has made Tigers in America's list of "The Best Tiger Sanctuaries in America".[8]

References

  1. ↑ Visit the Refuge - Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
  2. ↑ Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Mission Statement
  3. ↑ Donations to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
  4. ↑ "Rescue Ridge Article".
  5. ↑ "Vet Clinic".
  6. ↑ "Turpentine Creek Tripadvisor".
  7. ↑ https://www.aazk.org/
  8. ↑ "Tigers in America".

Coordinates: 36°18′38″N 93°45′26″W / 36.31045°N 93.75713°W / 36.31045; -93.75713

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