April 9, 2022

TURPENTINE CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE

239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, AR  72632

“Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a 459-acre wildlife refuge for abused, abandoned, and neglected big cats. The Eureka Springs, Arkansas, refuge houses 100 animals.” - Wikipedia

Listed as one of the top things to do in the area coupled with my interest in photographing wildlife, I decided to visit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. 

My visit started with a 45-minute tram tour, narrated by a refuge intern who told the story of each of the 20-25 cats along the way.  Most of the stories are sad as many of the cats were rescued from petting zoos and unscrupulous breeders around the country.  While never specifically mentioned on the tour, the refuge’s “Big Cat Chronicles” magazine describes the relationship of several of the cats to Joe Exotic of “Tiger King” fame.  The refuge’s collection contains several white tigers which are rare in the wild, however, a market exists from petting zoos for these beautiful creatures and therefore breeders work to fulfill that want.  Unfortunately, after the cats outgrow their use at the petting zoo, they are either euthanized or sent to a facility like this one.  Also along the tour were Ligers, a hybrid between a male lion and female tiger, which only appear in captivity as the two cat’s habitats do not cross in the wild.  After the tram tour visitors are allowed to walk through the Discovery area where one can see some of the other animals in their collection, such as Bobcats, Cougars, and Leopards, along with a Grizzly Bear and some Black Bears.

My visit was both educational and entertaining.  Hearing the stories of the treatment some of these animals received makes me angry and sad at the same time.