Blog | Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Why Genetic Diversity Matters for Wild Tigers

Around the world, wild tiger populations face enormous challenges. Habitat loss, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade have pushed these iconic predators to the brink of extinction. Today, fewer than 4,000 tigers remain in the wild, scattered across fragmented habitats in Asia. But conservationists know that saving tigers isn’t just about increasing population numbers. A recent […]

April 1, 2026 View Article

Protected: A Summer Campfire Comes With Responsibility

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March 24, 2026 View Article

wild flowers in northwest arkansas Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

Protected: Where to See Spring Wild Flowers This Season Near Eureka Springs

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March 23, 2026 View Article

Protected: Reptiles and Amphibians You Might See Around Eureka Springs in the Spring

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March 23, 2026 View Article

Eureka Springs & TCWR Events – Spring 2026

Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas, when the Ozark Mountains begin to bloom, and the town comes alive with festivals, art, and community events. From lively celebrations like Spring Diversity Weekend and the Spring Fling Bike Rally to the creative energy of the May Festival of the Arts, […]

March 9, 2026 View Article

Snow Suits and Secret Signals: The Science Behind Winter Coats in Animals

When the air turns sharp and frosty, many animals quietly pull off one of nature’s greatest wardrobe tricks: they grow a winter coat. Fur thickens, feathers fluff up, and in some cases, their entire color changes from brown to brilliant white. At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, we see our big cats shift with the seasons […]

March 3, 2026 View Article

What’s the Purpose of a Tail for Big Cats? (And Why Bobcats Have Such Short Ones)

If you’ve ever watched a tiger at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, you’ve probably noticed how often your eyes are drawn to its tail. It sways, snaps, curls, and lifts, almost like a separate personality. But that long, expressive tail isn’t just decoration — it’s a finely tuned tool shaped by millions of years of evolution. […]

February 25, 2026 View Article

Kindness, Practiced Daily: What Care Really Means at Turpentine Creek

At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, kindness is not a feeling or a moment. It is a daily practice, built into every habitat, every feeding schedule, every veterinary decision, and every enrichment plan. For the 127 wild cats and bears in our care, kindness means something very specific: a long life, lived with dignity, health, and […]

February 18, 2026 View Article

Karma Liger at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Big Wins for Animals in the 2026 Federal Funding Package

On June 12, 2023, the Service issued its plans and regulations for implementing the Big Cat Public Safety Act (Public Law 117–243). The Committee directs the Service to provide a report to the Committee not later than 120 days following the enactment of this Act describing resources needed to fully address violations, expected coordination with […]

February 11, 2026 View Article

URGENT NOTICE: Congress threatens to undermine the Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA)

A dangerous bill in Congress threatens to seriously undermine the Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA), and we urgently need your help to preserve its historic protections for big cats. Please see H.R.7159 – Protecting Local Zoos Act of 2026. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) supported the passage of this bill to stop the suffering […]

February 11, 2026 View Article