Introducing Kids To Conservation
June 4, 2018
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge will be kicking off the busy summer season with our first day camp on Wednesday, June 6th. We are looking forward to 3 days of fun programs and activities with the kids. Throughout the week, the kids will discover the world of wildlife and how they can be the voice for animals everywhere. We will work together to create enrichment for the animals that call the Refuge home, explore animal senses, go on a nature hike to journal what we see and hear, and so much more.
Our goal is to help immerse children into the world of wildlife in order to help them understand why exotic animals do not make good pets. Through our summer day camps; the kids will see the animals every day and learn how dangerous it is to have a tiger, lion, bear, etc. as a pet. They will have a better connection to the animals that call Turpentine Creek home and will discover how to help advocate for wildlife everywhere. If you know any children that would love to participate in any of our day camps, we would love for them to attend. We do still have spots available for our camps in July. We know we are going to have a blast helping the kids explore Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge during their time with us. Check out our Education Day Camp page to see the Day Camp Schedule and to reserve a spot for your cub today!
Exotic animal cubs are heavily overexploited and overbred due to the extreme desire to view their cuteness. There are no “behind the scene” episodes of where the animals come from, or what happens when they grow into powerful apex predators. If the public knew that “liking” and sharing social media videos, following baby animal posts, or actually visiting a place to play with cubs was actually harming them, would they still be so popular? This is the information that every big cat lover needs to know.
For big cat lovers, there is a safe and beneficial alternative to help victims of the exotic animal trade and cub petting industry. Visit true sanctuaries that do not buy, sell, breed, or trade animals and provide them with a forever home. It is much more satisfying to know that the admission fees are going to help protect the animals from further exploitation and neglect. To see the big cats running around in large grassy habitats and playing with enrichment toys, to have a life they deserve.
Inspired by the issues we see as a result of the exotic animal trade, as well as rampant homelessness among cats in NWA, TCWR will be partnering with local shelters to highlight adoptable felines! We will be implementing #MeetMeMonday across our social media channels and doing a special feature in our weekly e-newsletter that will give you the nitty-gritty on who might just be the kitty of your dreams!
The problem with endangered species is how they become endangered in the first place. There are many, but two main reasons animals are disappearing from the Earth: loss of habitat and loss of genetic variation. But why do endangered species matter to us? Extinction is a natural process, and history has shown “normal” rates to be between 1-2 species per year. Currently, the rate of extinction is estimated to be 1000-10,000 times this rate. This is due to human causes, and we are entering a new epoch in time: The Anthropocene: where our geological footprint will forever be engrained in the history and geological records of our planet.
Many of us remember the incident that lead to 49 wild animals in Zanesville, Ohio being put down by authorities after having been set loose in town by their owner. Tragically, 18 Bengal tigers, 17 lions, six black bears, two grizzlies, three mountain lions, two wolves and a baboon had to be killed when tranquilizer guns failed. It was especially heartbreaking to lose so many Bengal tigers, who are on the verge of extinction. These animals had been living in cramped filth; the ones lucky enough to be left in their cages were taken to a better life at the Columbus Zoo.
When you see the word, enrichment used in our articles or hear it mentioned in our educational talks, we are speaking of a very important part of responsible care for captive wildlife. Many of us can remember seeing animals in small roadside zoos pacing back and forth or crouched listlessly in a corner. When an animal is not able to take part in natural behaviors as they would in the wild it becomes damaging to both their mental and physical health.
Since most of the animals at TCWR would enjoy cooling off in ponds or rivers in the wild during warmer months, we provide summer pools for them to splash in. The benches we build for them provide shade to nap in and serve as a substitute for the natural rock formations they would climb and sun themselves on in nature.
For supporters who would like to do something special to celebrate, we are asking for donations to raise $1,300 for their newly-formed education department. The creation of this department is a major milestone for the Refuge and something we feel will continue to be an asset for us, the general public, and the animals of the world for years to come. We maintain that education is one of the most important tools in combating the exotic pet trade and protecting animal rights.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge would like to invite our younger supporters to join us this summer for a few fun-filled days at our first ever Summer Day Camps! We will be offering four summer day camps in the months of June and July. Two camps will be for kids between the ages of 6-8 and two camps will be for kids between the ages of 9-12.
Come join the TCWR staff and animals this Sunday, April 22 as people around the world celebrate Earth Day! Take part in our free Wild About Earth Day educational sessions offered throughout the day. What better way to honor the preservation of our planet and all living things than by helping the majestic animals at our sanctuary with your visit?
NWA Gives was organized by a group of regional individuals who wanted to see the spirit of generosity and community that was created by Arkansas Gives (April 2015-2017) continue on. You certainly continued it on by donating a grand total of $19,105 to TCWR!
At the time of this blog post, our organization raised the third most out of all of the other nonprofit participants! We want to send the friendliest of “chuffs,” most grrrateful “roars,” and the biggest of bear hugs to our supporters. Whether you donated monetarily or took time to share our posts and encourage your loved ones to support our animal Refuge, we could not have done it without you.