News Archives | Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Protected: When Genetics Go Wrong: How Inbreeding Harms Big Cats — and How TCWR Is Breaking the Cycle

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December 1, 2025 View Article

Healing Inside and Out: How TCWR Helps Rescued Big Cats with Mental Health

At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, rescuing an animal from a harmful situation is only the first step. Once a big cat has been medically stabilized and moved into a safe habitat, an entirely different form of healing begins—one rooted in rebuilding well-being, restoring mental health, and helping each animal learn what it means to experience […]

November 24, 2025 View Article

Born in Captivity. Wild Within.

Introducing Nirvana’s Cubs — A Story of Hope, Renewal, and Lifelong Care at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge When lioness Nirvana was rescued from a closed roadside zoo in Quebec, she was already pregnant. To give her and her cubs the best chance at a safe, low-stress birth, we transferred her to the Toronto Zoo, where […]

November 19, 2025 View Article

Social Media and Citizen Science: How You Can Make a Difference

In today’s digital world, social media isn’t just for sharing photos—it’s a powerful tool for citizen science and wildlife conservation. While many people associate citizen science with birds or wild cats, there are countless ways that everyday people can contribute to research and conservation from home or in their communities. For example: Tracking Pollinators: Apps […]

November 12, 2025 View Article

Changing the Way We ‘name” Animals

For over 30 years, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge has rescued animals from lives of abuse, neglect, and abandonment in the exotic pet trade—giving each one a safe, loving, and permanent home. Every rescue is unique: every story, every transformation, and every personality. Even their names tell a story. With more than 400 animals rescued […]

November 5, 2025 View Article

National Black Cat Day: The Science of Melanism in Wild Cats

Melanism—the genetic trait that produces excess dark pigment in an animal’s fur—is documented in at least 11 species of wild cats. While it is rare overall, the frequency of melanism varies widely depending on the species and environment. Some cats, such as bobcats and servals, exhibit melanism in scattered populations, while others, including leopards and […]

October 29, 2025 View Article

How to React if You See a Wild Cat on Your Hike

Big cats like cougars, bobcats, and black bears are vital to healthy ecosystems. As human activity expands into wild areas, encounters with these apex predators are becoming more common — and recent media reports have heightened public concern. At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), we teach visitors about the importance of these predators and how […]

October 21, 2025 View Article

Nature’s Blueprint: What Animal Skulls Can Tell Us

A lot can be learned about an animal just by studying its skull. The bones’ size, shape, and structure can reveal an animal’s diet, strengths, and even its role in the ecosystem. Imagine you’re holding a mammal skull but don’t know which species it belongs to—by recognizing a few basic features, you can start piecing […]

October 15, 2025 View Article

Discover Arkansas Ecosystems and Ethical Tourism at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Protect wildlife and explore The Natural State responsibly. Arkansas isn’t called “The Natural State” for nothing. From the rugged Ozark and Ouachita Mountains to the vast wetlands of the Delta, the state is packed with natural wonders and incredible biodiversity. Every region offers something unique: caves hiding rare, cave-dwelling species; rivers lined with lush […]

October 7, 2025 View Article

World Animal Day: Celebrating the Value of Every Creature

Every year on October 4th, people around the globe come together to honor World Animal Day—a time dedicated to raising awareness about animal welfare and celebrating the creatures who share our planet. This day was originally started in 1925 by Heinrich Zimmermann and later moved to coincide with the feast day of Saint Francis of […]

October 1, 2025 View Article