Blog | Page 11 of 53 | Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Why the cats have benches and what they are used for

While we began to release animals into their habitats at Freedom Field in late 2023, there was quite a lot of work to be done. Over the following months, we continued construction to complete a total of 28 small cat habitats, 2 medium cat habitats, and 14 big cat habitats. After all the habitats were […]

July 12, 2024 View Article

The Power Behind Fostering

Did you know that one female cat can give birth to multiple kittens, ranging from one to seven, within a gestation cycle? Due to this, an estimated 20 million kittens will be born this year globally. This is the sole reason shelters worldwide need volunteers like you to help with community cat programs and initiatives. […]

July 3, 2024 View Article

Have you ever noticed that big cats have round pupils while smaller cats have slit-shaped pupils?

All cats have light-colored eyes, allowing more light to enter the eye. This allows the animal to see better in dark conditions. Outside of the bright-colored cat eyes, what is the purpose of a round pupil vs a slit-shapped pupil? A recent study by UC Berkeley and Durham University suggests that the eye shape of […]

June 28, 2024 View Article

Tick-borne Diseases – What to know to prevent them from harming your domestic cats and dogs, and how they impact the animals at the Refuge

Ticks are less common in Arkansas during the winter months; most populations die off during these months, especially when temperatures drop below 14 degrees Fahrenheit. During the warmer months, however, they begin to repopulate, bringing the risk of tick-borne diseases to people, cats, dogs, and the animals at the Refuge. Tick-borne diseases in dogs and […]

June 19, 2024 View Article

Don’t Pool all Cats Together: Some big cats like the water while others do not.

It is summertime when our Animal Care Staff prioritizes cleaning and filling pools again. Since its beginning, the Refuge has provided water-loving animals with pools. Historically, we have repurposed big metal cattle troughs as pools for the animals. During pool season, our Animal Care Staff and Interns must consistently clean the pools, creating the most […]

June 11, 2024 View Article

What is the significance of Black Bear Day?

Every year, on the first Saturday in June, wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and nature lovers come together to celebrate National Black Bear Day. This day was first started in 2018 to remember the history of black bears in the United States. Black bears became a valuable resource when the Americas were first colonized due to their […]

June 5, 2024 View Article

Eye of the Tiger – Fred | Big Cat Chronicles Summer 2024 Exclusive

I am Fred and I am a tiger. Each morning, I wake up, come out of my den, stretch, and gaze out over my big grassy habitat. I live my life like a tiger. But it wasn’t always this way. I don’t remember my mother since humans took me away from here before I could […]

May 25, 2024 View Article

Endangered Species Day 2024

Every year, on the third Friday of May, conservationists, scientists, and nature enthusiasts worldwide come together to observe Endangered Species Day. This day serves as a reminder of the wildlife conservation initiatives worldwide dedicated to protecting endangered species and biodiversity. Endangered Species Day was introduced by the United States in 2006 to raise awareness of […]

May 22, 2024 View Article

How to select the best dog harness

In April of 2023, Turpentine Creek rescued a tiger cub named Fred, who entered our Witness Protection Program due to an ongoing investigation. The cub was among the first to be seized by USFW officials for violating the Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022. He had been privately owned and physically abused by his […]

May 14, 2024 View Article

Keep it Domestic: A reflection on why owning exotic cats will never work

For decades, there has been a lack of laws and regulations regarding the private ownership of exotic felines in the United States. This allowed for the creation of a massive industry with several different supply channels. Breeders could actively sell wild cats to the general public as exotic pets, ranging in size from tigers to […]

May 9, 2024 View Article