Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Selbit the leopard's Story

Species: Leopard (Panthera pardus)
DOB: October 11, 2007
Sex: Male
Arrival Date: October 11, 2016

Selbit arrived at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) with 33 other animals during the Colorado Project of 2016-2017. TCWR acquired a closing, 12-acre roadside establishment with 115 animals living in deplorable conditions with minimal veterinary care. Due to health issues, the previous owner needed to find a new home for all the animals he had acquired. Many enclosures had access doors made of rotting plywood and a padlock to contain these apex predators. Additionally, with compacted dirt and woodchips with nails, the animals had little shade from the glaring eastern Colorado sun. Our team worked tirelessly on-site for six months and collaborated with other accredited Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) sanctuaries to transport and provide lifelong Refuge to these animals. During this period, TCWR assisted in founding the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA) to unite accredited sanctuaries for future rescues and to educate and provide awareness to the public about the plight of the growing wild cat crisis.

Selbit is one of many animals at TCWR who suffered from unimaginable horrors due to exploitation and abuse in the entertainment industry. As an adult, he was forced to perform in a magic show after likely being used in cub petting. Selbit has been wary of humans throughout his life but has relaxed into his routine in the peace of sanctuary, aided by pain management. He prefers to spend most days in his night house, routinely poking his head out for a snarl or two at his neighbor. When the evening arrives, and the Refuge is quiet, this nighttime hunter loves to come out and explore. Selbit enjoys the cooler weather and prefers to be on his lower platform bench due to his improper declaw job.

Photo by Keeper Jason L.

#Leopard #TCWR #sanctuary #GFAS #TurpentineCreek

5 hours ago | [YT] | 132

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Cats Love Boxes - Jake in Box
Jake the serval cat hanging out in his enrichment box.

Jake's Story
Species: African Serval (Leptailurus serval)
DOB: December 4, 2019
Sex: Male
Arrival Date: December 4, 2021

Jake arrived at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) in December 2021. In July 2021, the Norman Police Department confiscated 356 animals from a farm in Norman, Oklahoma. According to a complaint filed by the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the owner, a veterinarian practicing in Oklahoma City, was planning to open a petting zoo and did not have a license for the exotic species he kept illegally within city limits. The Oklahoma Wildlife Department assisted with the animals’ seizure. After five months, the court case concluded, and the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA) reached out to the Refuge to provide sanctuary to Jake, a two-year-old African Serval. Jake arrived at TCWR in good health and has transitioned smoothly to his new lifestyle in captivity.

This young serval enjoys playing with various enrichment items—he prefers that no one watches him. Keep your eyes out for Jake; he loves to lay under the boulders within his habitat, which makes it hard for him to spot. He also enjoys lounging on his fire hose bench or hiding beneath a bench or rock formation in his habitat. He’s known for calling out and chatting with his neighbors and keepers. Ever the hunter, he eagerly stalks and chases any bug or creature that ventures into his enclosure. Jake stretches up and scratches on logs in his habitat, keeping his claws sharp and his muscles toned. During the warmer months, Jake prefers to lounge in his heated building, while in the cooler months, he delights in playing with collected snow from the roof or catching snowflakes as they fall.

Photo by Dr. Kellyn

#serval #servalcat #TCWR #sanctuary #GFAS #TurpentineCreek #catinabox

8 hours ago | [YT] | 127

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Axle the Leopard's Story

Species: Leopard (Panthera pardus)
DOB: September 25, 2011
Sex: Male
Arrival Date: May 22, 2025

In May 2025, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) responded to a critical rescue after a California facility lost its permit due to repeated animal welfare violations. Partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, TCWR helped rescue and relocate eight wild animals—including Axle the leopard—to lifelong sanctuary at the Refuge.

Axle had to be sedated to ensure safe loading for transport. While under sedation, our veterinary team performed an initial exam and discovered he was missing a random claw. He did not have a microchip, so we inserted one during this exam. His USDA records show he has advanced kidney disease and a heart murmur, requiring ongoing specialized care.

Axle was placed in a medium-sized cat habitat in Freedom Field, which we designed specifically for wild cats like leopards. This space provides soft, natural ground and ample room for cats to move comfortably and safely.

Despite his medical challenges, Axle has a calm and resilient spirit. Thanks to your support, he receives expert veterinary care, a specialized diet tailored to his kidney condition, and compassionate daily attention.

Photo by Keeper Abbey

#blackcat #leopard #TCWR #GFAS #sanctuary #TurpentineCreek

11 hours ago | [YT] | 243

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

** WISH LIST WEDNESDAY ** This week Dr. Kellyn has requested 1mL Syringes (Luer Lock Tip) and 1mL Syringes (Luer Slip Tip). Both are used for daily medications and for veterinary care during exams.

We still need Cod Liver Oil for the new cubs.

Also needed are: Milk Thistle, Turmeric, Vitamin E, & Fish oil.

You can find these items as well as a variety of supplements and supplies on our Amazon Wish list at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3HIAUWLXM5X

Shipping AddressL
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
239 Turpentine Creek Lane
Eureka Springs, AR 72632

#wishlist #WishlistWednesday #TCWR #GFAS #TurpentineCreek #sanctuary

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14 hours ago | [YT] | 16

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Meet Elderly Tiger named Athena

DOB: March 16, 2007
Sex: Female
Arrival Date: March 16, 2010

A roadside zoo in Branson, MO, was housing a number of reptiles, aquatic animals, and mammals, including five tigers, a lion, a black bear, a leopard, and a coatimundi. The facility failed to implement proper safety protocols, which led to a young keeper entering an enclosure to take photos of three tiger siblings, Athena, Chuff, and Abigail. Unfortunately, the young keeper slipped and fell, provoking the tiger’s natural instincts, and they attacked, leaving the keeper paralyzed for the remainder of his life. After the incident, the facility needed to place its mammals, including the three tigers, into new homes. The roadside zoo called Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), and we immediately left to rescue the animals.

Athena and her siblings were extremely aggressive towards the TCWR Animal Care Staff during their first few years at the Refuge. Over the years, Athena and Chuff became more calm and comfortable as they adapted to their new life. Athena and Chuff can still be seen sharing a habitat, whereas Abigail was moved to Rescue Ridge, away from the public, where she has become much calmer. Athena has always been very active and playful, but as she has aged, she spends more time soaking up the sun while stretching out on her bench or at the bottom of her habitat. She has always loved water and enjoys taking a dip in her in-ground pool on warmer days.

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17 hours ago | [YT] | 127

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Almost gone… don’t miss out 😿🔥

🐾 Our limited TCWR blankets are down to the last few in each style. Kyro, Emma, Miles, Bagheera — which one’s yours?

Grab yours now before your favorite disappears! 🛒 shop.turpentinecreek.org/collections/2025-blankets

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17 hours ago | [YT] | 140

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Bam Bam, the ADORABLE Grizzly Bear, is having a blast swimming around in his refreshing pool! ** A huge shoutout and heartfelt thanks to all of you who generously sent pool maintenance supplies from our Amazon Wishlist during this year's pool season. Your thoughtful gifts have truly made a difference, and we appreciate each and every one of you for keeping Bam Bam's swimming adventures delightful! 🐻💦

1 day ago | [YT] | 339

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Meet Kaia, a Rare Fishing Cat

DOB: February 25, 2014
Sex: Female
Arrival Date: May 22, 2025

In May 2025, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) was called to assist in an urgent rescue operation following the denial of a facility’s permit renewal due to repeated animal welfare violations. Partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, TCWR helped confiscate and transport eight wild animals—including Kaia—to the safety of our accredited sanctuary in the Ozarks.

Kaia arrived showing clear signs of a severe skin condition and hair loss over her hind end and tail. This could be caused by untreated mites, skin allergies, or psychogenic alopecia- a self-plucking caused by behavioral issues. Although her weight was stable at intake, Kaia often crouches low as if still unsure of her surroundings.

But with time, patience, and the compassionate care she now receives at TCWR, Kaia is beginning to rediscover life. She can be found confidently perched on top of her den, surveying her new world and the neighboring animals. Between short explorations of her habitat, she returns again and again to this comforting vantage point.

Thanks to your support, Kaia receives ongoing veterinary care, a species-specific diet, and daily enrichment activities that help her recover emotionally and physically. Every day brings new signs of progress and trust.

Photo by Keeper Jade

#fishingcat #TCWR #sanctuary #GFAS #TurpentineCreek

1 day ago | [YT] | 302

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Meet Rambo, the Spotted Hyena

Rambo enjoys greeting his caretakers with a low grumble, unique to his species. Hyenas produce a variety of vocalizations, including wailing calls, howling screams, and well-known “laughter” sounding noises. Rambo enjoys a variety of enrichment items, but his favorites are food items his care team hides in boxes or cardboard tubes throughout his habitat. He enjoys cooling off and playing in his pool in the summer months.

Rambo tends to hoard his bones, decorating his habitat with them. Despite being in captivity, Rambo still has excellent hunting instincts and successfully kills a vulture or opossum occasionally.

DOB: February 22, 2011
Sex: Male
Arrival Date: February 23, 2021

Rambo was rescued by Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) in February 2021 from Strong, Arkansas, after his previous owner tragically died in a car accident. The family members could not continue caring for Rambo, so they called TCWR.

There is a first for everything, and we realized the need to provide a home and lifetime sanctuary to this lone carnivore. Rambo arrived in excellent health and now receives routine veterinary care to ensure his well-being as he ages.

Rambo resides at Rescue Ridge – a designated area with flat terrain away from continual visitors for TCWR’s older animal residents. Rambo is content in sanctuary life and can be heard throughout the Refuge ‘whooping’ and ‘grunting’ along with the lions’ caroling.

Photo by Keeper Peri

#hyena #TCWR #GFAS #TurpentineCreek #sanctuary

1 day ago | [YT] | 178

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Amari Lioness enjoys her new habitat. She has decided her pool, after it was drained, is the perfect place to crouch and peek out over the edges at her neighbors. She has also found it to be a great spot to catnap.

Amari's Story
Species: African Lion (Panthera leo)
DOB: September 25, 2011
Sex: Female
Arrival Date: May 22, 2025

In May 2025, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) was called to assist in a critical rescue operation following the denial of a California facility’s permit renewal due to repeated animal welfare violations. In partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, TCWR helped safely confiscate and transport eight wild animals—including Amari—to lifelong sanctuary.

Amari is a striking lioness who arrived with good body weight but shows signs of long-term neglect. She lives with one-sided facial paralysis, allegedly caused by an untreated ear infection. While the damage appears permanent, Amari continues to adapt with quiet strength. Her condition doesn’t hinder her natural curiosity—or her ability to let out a full, thunderous roar.

As far as we know, this is the first time Amari has felt grass beneath her paws. After years on dirt or concrete, she is surrounded by natural beauty and the sounds and sights of other rescued animals. She has begun to explore her new environment with growing interest, pausing often to observe her neighbors and take in the safety of her surroundings.

(Photos by Keeper Peri)

#TCWR #sanctuary #GFAS #TurpentineCreek

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1 day ago | [YT] | 148