A Bright New Future for Four Big Cats
January 10, 2017
We would like to invite our supporters to join us on Jan. 21, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. for the grand opening of a new big cat habitat. This habitat, along with another that is still under construction, stands where the original enclosures were once located behind the gift shop. This habitat is a major stepping stone towards a bright future for all the animals that call Turpentine Creek home. It will be one of the larger habitats at the refuge, sitting on over 10,000 sq. ft. of land.
In September of 2015, the last animals moved out of the old enclosures and into grassy habitats. This was a milestone and a major accomplishment for us. Only days after the last animals were moved into habitats, we began demolishing the old enclosures with the ultimate goal of building two large habitats in their place. In late in 2016, we began building the first habitat on the settled plot of land. It is only through the generosity of our supporters, donations, and the team’s hard work that this habitat could be completed so quickly.
Four big cats Joey an orange tigress, Aurora a white tigress, Khaleesi a golden tabby tigress, and Lakota a male ti-liger, will call the new habitat home. These four big cats were part of the “Colorado Project.” In Sept. of 2016, we brought 27 animals to Arkansas from Colorado from a facility that we had taken over. The four big cats were temporarily housed in a cougar habitat until the new habitat was completed. We will be releasing the four big cats for the first time into the new habitat during the grand opening.
This beautiful new habitat has a large three-tiered bench, fire hose area, rock bench, and other engaging enrichment items to keep the four young cats entertained. Everyone at Turpentine Creek looks forward to seeing the many guests that will join us for what is expected to be entertaining event.