Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge: Press Releases

For Immediate Release
The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge to Rescue Four Endangered Tigers, But Your Help Is Needed

Date:

August 21, 1998

Contact:

Tanya Smith
501-253-5841

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas announces today that a rescue team has been sent from the Refuge to Edingburg, Texas in order to save four endangered tigers. The team is being lead by Mrs. Hilda P. Jackson, Curator of the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, who is scheduled to save the following "Big Cats"

Two male Bengal tigers, about 3 and a half years old.
One pregnant female Bengal/Siberian mix tiger, about four years old.
One male Bengal/Siberian mix tiger, about four years old.

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge has a mission to provide lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected "Big Cats" with emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards and cougars. Mrs. Tanya Smith, President of the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge stated, "Our primary goal is to save the endangered ‘Big Cats,’ but in order to save these precious animals, we are calling upon the community to support this effort. This rescue trip to Texas was an emergency call we received this week and the Refuge staff decided we could not allow these tigers to face a potential death if we did not respond quickly. The previous owner is a Vietnam veteran who, due to medical conditions of his own, was advised by the USDA that he needed to find a new home for these tigers. Because the Refuge is currently near one hundred percent capacity, we are working to quickly build additional housing for these tigers." Mrs. Smith further stated, "I would like to take this opportunity to call upon our community to assist us in saving these four tigers by making a donation to the Refuge that will be used to build the new homes for the tigers and for the rescue."

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge does not receive any government funding and relies upon individual donations in order to care for the endangered "Big Cats" who have a safe and loving home at the Refuge. It is estimated that for this rescue alone, it will cost the Refuge $12,000 for travel costs to Texas and to construct new housing facilities that meet USDA guidelines. The Refuge will incur an approximate annual cost of $16,000 to care for these additional four tigers. Donations are needed and can be sent directly to: The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge; Rescue Operation; 239 Turpentine Creek Lane; Eureka Springs, AR 72632.

It is expected that the tigers will arrive at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge this weekend. Once the tigers are at the Refuge, they will receive a medical examination and placed within their new homes as soon as the construction is complete.

Currently, the Refuge provides a home for over 95 "Big Cats" and the public is invited to visit the Refuge seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. Information regarding Turpentine Creek can be obtained by calling the Refuge at 501/253-5841 in addition to the World Wide Web page, located at www.turpentinecreek.org and e-mail at tigers@turpentinecreek.org.

For Immediate Release

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge announces their Summer and Fall promotional schedule for 1999. Promotions provide an opportunity for Turpentine Creek to educate the public regarding the plight of endangered animals and to also promote the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Mrs. Tanya Smith, President of the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, directs the promotions with the assistance of other volunteers from the Refuge. Mrs. Smith commented that, Participating in promotions is a wonderful way for the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge to interact with the public while increasing the awareness of endangered animals.

The promotional schedule is as follows. All dates, times and locations are subject to change.

. For information regarding the Refuge, call 501/253-5841, or send an e-mail to tigers@turpentinecreek.org or visit our World Wide Web page at www.turpentinecreek.org.

For Immediate Release
Spring Break: Students from Chicago
Choose Tigers Instead of Beach

See Accompanying Photo

Spring Break is a time when most students flock to the world's hot spots, but for ten DePaul University students and their student and staff leaders, Eureka Springs, Arkansas was the destination this past Spring Break.

Arriving from Chicago, Illinois on March 21, the students spent their week volunteering at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. During their stay, the DePaul volunteers worked on several projects. Donated materials were moved to a new storage area in order to prepare for the first of many natural habitats proposed for the refuge's approximately 500 acres, and much of the week was spent constructing two waterfalls at the front entrance of the refuge, with the help of a local plumber, also donating his services.

As the volunteer trip to Arkansas was one of eleven alternative Spring Break service trips sponsored by DePaul's Community Service Association, the students spent a portion of their day examining Eco-justice issues as well as the impact of their service in the larger context.

"It puts everything in perspective," said trip participant Howard Fink. "Doing service work at Turpentine Creek brings the injustice being done to these animals close to home."

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a not-for-profit, volunteer-staffed facility which provides life-long sanctuary primarily for the big cats. It is currently home to over 90 lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars of a variety of backgrounds. The animals are often privately owned or illegally traded, and often times, abused. When either the owners cannot care for the animals any longer or the authorities confiscate them, only refuges such as Turpentine Creek can take them, as zoos often times cannot afford their care or take animals with unknown genetic histories.

Because the staff at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is kept so busy with the day-to-day care of the animals and maintenance of the facility, the DePaul students were able to accomplish the extras that enhance the facility.

As student Natalie Kamberos reflected, "I had never had the opportunity to help build anything as beautiful as a waterfall. I was happy that we were all able to contribute a part of ourselves to the refuge and workers who endlessly give to the animals that are in need."

See Accompanying Photo

For Immediate Release
Coming Soon

Return To Top of Page

For Immediate Release
Exercise Range Established at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge announces the completion of an exercise range for the animals living at the Refuge. This is a component of the first stage towards establishing natural habitats at the Refuge. The Wildlife Refuge is located seven miles South of Eureka Springs, Arkansas with a mission to provide a safe refuge for abandoned, abused or neglected animals with a focus on tigers, lions, leopards and cougars.

The enclosed exercise range provides a ten acre area allowing the animals to run and play. Mrs. Tanya Smith, President of the Turpentine Creek Foundation, Inc. recently stated, "We at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge have been working for the past several years to establish a natural habitat for the ‘Big Cats.’ This exercise range is the first step towards reaching our goal." Mrs. Smith also stated that the Refuge plans to begin construction of the natural habitats on the 350 acre Refuge as soon as possible.

Of the 92 "Big Cats" living at the Refuge, about five to seven of the small animals will utilize the exercise range at a time. On a rotating basis, the animals will have the opportunity to enjoy this new facility. The range is an enclosed area of ten foot fencing. To maintain safety, Refuge staff members monitor the animals while they are in the exercise range.

Through the numerous contributions of individuals and corporations, the first part towards the establishment of natural habitats was constructed. Mr. Michael Gibbs, Director of Advancement for the Turpentine Creek Foundation, Inc. stated, "Because of our generous supporters, the Refuge was able to construct this exercise range." Mr. Gibbs also stated, "The Refuge would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the individuals and corporations who made this first area possible. Working together we are able to make a difference in the lives of these truly remarkable animals."

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is open to the public and opportunities to see the "Big Cats" in the exercise range can be provided. For information regarding the Refuge, call 501/253-5841, or send an e-mail to tigers@turpentinecreek.org or visit our World Wide Web page at http://www.turpentinecreek.org. The Refuge is open daily Noon until dusk.

Return To Top of Page

ALBUM

RESCUES

INDEX

SEARCH