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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2 hours ago | [YT] | 10

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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5 hours ago | [YT] | 87

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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5 hours ago | [YT] | 64

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! 🐻💦

17 hours ago | [YT] | 259

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

20 hours ago | [YT] | 211

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

23 hours ago | [YT] | 165

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] | 140

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Keep track of every special birthday! 🎂🐱

🎉 Our 2026 calendar features all TCWR cats’ birthdays 🐾 Plus fun animal and traditional holidays — perfect for fans of our feline friends

Order now and mark your calendar! 🗓️ shop.turpentinecreek.org/collections/miscellaneous…

1 day ago | [YT] | 632

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Meet Maggie, a young and fiercely spirited tigress, was one of seven tigers rescued in April 2025 from a private facility in Pahrump, Nevada. Confined in a cramped, debris-strewn enclosure with poor access to clean water, Maggie endured four years of neglect before her rescue by Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR).

Maggie underwent a thorough veterinary exam after traveling 1,450 miles to our Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)–accredited facility in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Though underweight, Maggie’s fiery determination has remained intact. She is slow to trust humans, but at TCWR, we honor every animal’s individuality and allow them to adjust at their own pace, free from pressure or expectation.

Maggie’s specialized care plan includes a tailored diet, regular veterinary monitoring, and enrichment activities designed to meet her unique needs while respecting her boundaries. Each day, our team provides compassionate care to help Maggie heal physically and emotionally from the trauma of her past.

Species: Tiger (Panthera tigris)
DOB: May 1, 2021
Sex: Female
Arrival Date: April 2, 2025

(Photo by Keeper Peri)

#tiger #tigers #TCWR #GFAS #sanctuary #TurpentineCreek #wildcat

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1 day ago | [YT] | 76

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Miles Tiger was enjoying a little quiet time in her den while the dedicated staff and interns worked diligently to drain, scrub, and refill her pool. From her cozy spot, she watched as they carefully cleaned her habitat and lugged all her toys back up the hill, ready for her grand return. The moment they completed their tasks and opened the gate, she sprang into action, leaping into her freshly refilled pool with pure delight.



As the chill of autumn approaches, pool weather is slipping away, and soon the pools will be drained for winter. But for now, on warm afternoons, Miles and her fellow feline friends are seizing every opportunity to splash and play in their beloved pools, making the most of the last sunny days of the season!

2 days ago | [YT] | 260