Blog | Page 6 of 48 | Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

The Significance of International Tiger Day in Wildlife Conservation

International Tiger Day, observed annually on July 29th, is a global event dedicated to protecting and conserving tigers. It was established in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, where 13 tiger range countries committed to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022. As a result, in India, the tiger population has doubled from […]

July 24, 2024 View Article

Leptospirosis (Lepto) in domestic and wild animals

All pet owners should be aware of a disease called leptospirosis heading into the warmer months. Often referred to as Lepto, this disease is caused by the bacteria, leptospira, and can infect almost any living mammal, including humans. This bacteria typically spreads through the urine of infected animals, especially rodents, contaminating water sources, soil, or […]

July 16, 2024 View Article

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