Turpentine Creek Archives | Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Your Guide to Stargazing in the Ozark Mountains

September in Northwest Arkansas is stargazing season at its finest. Crisp evenings, low humidity, and the absence of heavy summer haze create clear, dark skies that make the constellations pop. The Ozark Mountains are home to several prime locations for night-sky viewing: Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) – By day, one of the state’s most […]

September 3, 2025 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

Think You Might Have a Resident Big Cat in Your Area?

Here are a couple of tips to help you decipher the signs! September 23, 2021 Claw marks in the paw print usually signal a dog. However, conversely, not all dogs leave claw prints. A mountain lion (often referred to as a “panther,” “cougar,” and many other names) has retractable claws that are usually not extended […]

September 23, 2021 View Article

Sasha Cougar Safe at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Cougar Rescued from Bronx Doing Well at TCWR Sasha, a pet cougar rescued from a Bronx home arrived at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas this week. The 80-pound 11-month-old mountain lion was brought to the Refuge after her previous owner contacted TCWR President, Tanya Smith. Through a joint effort between the sanctuary, the Bronx […]

September 16, 2021 View Article

The First In-Ground Pool is Complete

Tigers BB King & Mack Love Their New Permanent Pool July 8, 2021 We’ve been working to put a real, in-ground pool in every habitat a water-loving creature may find themselves in at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Last weekend, we filled the first of many in the habitat currently occupied by tiger brothers BB King […]

July 8, 2021 View Article

Big Cats React to New Rescues from Tiger King Park

How do the Current Turpentine Creek Residents Feel about New Neighbors? July 1, 2021 As you know, we rescued 13 animals from Tiger King Park. As the court case involving these animals continues, we remain limited on the details we’re allowed to provide. Our current animal residents, however, have spent time since the rescue getting […]

July 1, 2021 View Article

Exploring a Day in the Life of an Intern at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Shadowing a TCWR Intern for the Day June 18, 2021 A day in the Life of an Intern is, well… hard work! As a relatively new addition to the TCWR team, I don’t recall what my preconceived notion of our intern position was, or if I even had one. But I can tell you now […]

June 18, 2021 View Article

The Pursuit of the Mythical Lap Leopard

Even the Smallest Wild Cats are #PredatorsNotPets June 17, 2021 The term “lap leopard” is very seductive. It paints a picture of an exotic feline that is not only small enough to cuddle but docile and affectionate enough to find such human attention appealing. That picture, however, couldn’t be further from the truth. It is […]

June 17, 2021 View Article

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Assists Federal Government in Rescue of Sixty Eight Big Cats from Tiger King Park

Thirteen Exotic Cats Safe at TCWR’s GFAS-Accredited Sanctuary Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge [TCWR] assisted the Federal Government in rescuing sixty-eight big cats from Jeffery (Jeff) and Lauren Lowe’s Tiger King Park previously owned by so-called “Tiger King,” Joe Exotic. In January, a federal judge ordered the Lowes to surrender all big cat cubs in their […]

May 28, 2021 View Article

Experience the Magic of Spring at Turpentine Creek

Blooming Flowers, Bam Bam’s Waterfall Showers TCWR is alive with the sights and sounds of springtime! In addition to the enthusiastic roars, chuffs, and grrrrrrs, so commonly heard at our refuge, wrens are trilling, chipmunks are scurrying (away from big cats!) and an array of scented herbs and native plantings are bursting forth to greet […]

May 21, 2021 View Article