Big Cat Chronicles
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Fall 2016<br />
<strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong> <strong>Chronicles</strong><br />
A USDA Licensed Facility for “The Vanishing Breeds of <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong>s”<br />
Giselle<br />
Serval (Leptailurus serval)<br />
Sex: Female<br />
DOB: December 1, 2015<br />
Arrival Date: July 1, 2016<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org ||| 479.253.5841 ||| www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
youtube.com/TurpentineCreek ||| Find us on Facebook!
Letter from the President<br />
Co-Founder Tanya Smith<br />
Please Welcome Your Fall 2016 Interns!<br />
This year has proven to be just as exciting as the past 24+ at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. So many changes have<br />
come to pass. Our team is strong, rescues continue and, with the new Jackson Memorial Veterinary Hospital open<br />
and operational, our healthcare and education initiatives are prepped for success! Not only will the Refuge benefit<br />
from the hospital’s existence, all future animal science majors, biologists, zoologists, veterinarians, vet techs, dentists,<br />
medics, doctors, and donors that care about <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong>s and bear in captivity, will have the opportunity to learn through<br />
this resource.<br />
My family is honored to have the on-site hospital named in memory of my parents, Donald Ray Jackson, Sr., and Hilda<br />
Putman Jackson. Each are missed on a daily basis, but I truly believe that they somehow have a hand in moving things<br />
forward at the Refuge.<br />
I’m also happy to share that my daughter, Miranda, is now the Refuge’s hospitality coordinator. She helps direct the<br />
efforts of TCWR’s two gift shops and lodging, and is active in our promotional and educational outreach programs.<br />
Miranda recently earned a Hospitality and Restaurant Management degree – which covers all aspects of hospitality<br />
management – from the University of Arkansas.<br />
My son, Victor, a chef by trade, has actively worked at the Refuge most of his life, and I’m excited to report that he<br />
recently accepted property management responsibilities. Among other things, Victor also procures meat and produce<br />
for our animal residents and is our supplies liaison. All supply logistics go through Victor to ensure we have what we<br />
need to maintain smooth operations at the Refuge.<br />
Scott, my husband and the Refuge’s vice-president, plays an active and decisive<br />
role in practically every aspect of the organization. Unfortunately, he recently<br />
experienced a severe knee injury, requiring ACL surgery. Scott’s rehabilitation<br />
efforts are going well though, and he is slowly resuming many of his responsibilities.<br />
As important as my immediate family is to me and the foundation, I am extremely<br />
proud and humbled by our TCWR family. Our associates – all working towards a<br />
unified mission – are some of the most passionate, dedicated team members I’ve<br />
ever known. The challenges we face to properly care for our rescued friends are<br />
enormous. So growing our team and improving our infrastructure ensures the<br />
best possible care for our residents. The future looks bright for all the rescues<br />
that call TCWR home!<br />
As we continue our mission, our next BIG fundraising endeavor is on the horizon.<br />
Our goal is to build a new entrance building that will include an expanded retail<br />
space, an education center, a multi-functional conference area, and a café. We<br />
will keep you updated on those plans, but we invite you to donate and support<br />
this project during its early stages.<br />
Thank you for all you do to help us care for our animal residents, and for supporting<br />
our efforts to enhance our education and visitor experience. It’s because of you<br />
that we are able to positively affect so many lives.<br />
2<br />
Until next time…<br />
Victor Smith<br />
Miranda Smith<br />
Back<br />
Front<br />
Tyler Bapst<br />
University of Michigan<br />
BS Ecology/<br />
Environmental Biology<br />
May 2015<br />
Jessica Curnow<br />
Humboldt State U.<br />
BS Zoology<br />
May 2015<br />
Meghan Lahm<br />
Avery Shannon<br />
U. of Richmond<br />
BS Biology<br />
May 2016<br />
Morgan Lazar<br />
U. of New Hampshire<br />
BS Biomedical<br />
Sciences/Pre Vet<br />
May 2016<br />
Jennifer Aguilar<br />
Humboldt State U.<br />
BS Zoology<br />
May 2015<br />
Emaly Bobbitt<br />
California U. of PA<br />
BS Environmental Science<br />
May 2016<br />
Carly Hepburn<br />
Bridgewater State U.<br />
BS Biology<br />
December 2015<br />
Jessie Sayre<br />
U. of Puget Sound<br />
BA Psychology<br />
May 2016<br />
Nikki Adams<br />
Miami University<br />
BA Zoology<br />
May 2015<br />
Anna Stumpf<br />
Oklahoma State U.<br />
BS Zoology<br />
December 2015<br />
Jessica Cartusciello<br />
Cornell University<br />
BS Animal Science<br />
May 2016<br />
Susannah<br />
Manning-Osborn<br />
Elon University<br />
BA Psychology<br />
May 2013<br />
Allison Coronado<br />
Berry College<br />
BS Biology<br />
May 2016<br />
Meet Meghan Lahm, Animal Care Team Member<br />
Lanie Dishong<br />
U. of California, Davis<br />
BS Biology<br />
June 2013<br />
(not pictured)<br />
Josh Kolbert<br />
Bates College<br />
BS Biology/Pre Vet<br />
May 2016<br />
While Meg Lahm may not technically be new to the Refuge, she is our newest full-time<br />
animal care team member. She originally came to us from upstate New York after she<br />
earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Eventually, upon completing four TCWR<br />
internships, Meg was approached with the opportunity to join our family indefinitely.<br />
“I was ecstatic when I realized I was going to be hired on,” Meg shares. “Just being here<br />
every day, waking up to the lions, doing all of this, is the best feeling. To be part of this huge<br />
issue, and to be the ones helping is amazing.”<br />
Meg originally joined us in August 2014. She chose TCWR’s program over another<br />
sanctuary’s internship, and said she could not be happier. When Meg first came to the<br />
Refuge, her plan was to stay for one or two internships then move on. Her goal at that time<br />
was to travel to Africa and work with the <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong>s there.<br />
Referring to the harmful nature of the exotic pet trade, Meg mentions, “The longer I stayed<br />
here, the more I realized how much of a problem there was in the United States, and that I<br />
didn’t need to go to Africa. I know what we are doing here is helping.”<br />
Meg didn’t have much to move. After two years at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge,<br />
most of her personal assets had already migrated to her space on the property. Of course<br />
she misses her family in New York, and fosters a (now long-distance) relationship with her<br />
boyfriend, but she isn’t alone.<br />
“Being away from them is hard,” Meg says. “But being here, I have family too. We celebrate<br />
holidays together – we spend every day together – it’s great! Emily, my boss, is one of my<br />
best friends, and that relationship has been amazing. The animal care team, interns, and<br />
everyone else at the Refuge are family, and that is great to have.”<br />
Some of Meg’s duties have changed, with her new position, but she is still just as dedicated<br />
to our mission as she’s always been. Meg is a valuable addition to our animal care<br />
team, so next time you visit make sure to tell her “Congratulations!”<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org /// 479.253.5841 /// www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
3
Enriching the Lives of Your Animal Ambassadors<br />
Imagine being a tiny toddler, exploring this gargantuan world with all of your curious little senses (Oh, the sights,<br />
the sounds, the smells, the feels!). Your budding life is naturally enriched by your freedom to explore an everchanging,<br />
ever-moving and ever-interesting space. You are effectively a newborn cub in the wild with limitless<br />
opportunity to experience all the exciting wonders of life!<br />
Now imagine you are a captive victim of the exotic pet trade. At no<br />
fault of your own, you will never know true freedom. You will never<br />
be able to explore your natural world. And you will most likely<br />
never be fulfilled or appreciated in the way you know you deserve.<br />
Abigail<br />
Featured Animal: Shasta<br />
Species: Tiger (Panthera tigris)<br />
Sex: Female<br />
Arrived at TCWR: September 14, 2012<br />
At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, our primary focus is to<br />
provide compassionate care to our animal residents. Not only<br />
does that mean providing an appropriate daily diet, and medical<br />
treatment when necessary, it means providing a safe, stress-free<br />
environment filled with enriching elements any apex predator can<br />
appreciate.<br />
Here are just a few ways our animal care team and interns enrich<br />
the daily lives of our animal ambassadors:<br />
1. Environmental Enrichment – When we access animal habitats<br />
for cleaning and/or maintenance purposes, we routinely add,<br />
move or remove items within the space in an effort to create<br />
an ever-changing, complex environment, similar to what our<br />
animals would experience in the wild.<br />
2. Sensory (specifically olfactory) Enrichment – We use fresh<br />
herbs, spices and fragrant items like chocolate mint, cinnamon,<br />
cedar shavings, and Obsession by Calvin Klein to help excite<br />
our animals’ olfactory systems. This type of enrichment<br />
encourages natural curiosity, stimulates pleasure sensors in<br />
the brain, and motivates our animals to explore their habitats.<br />
Abigail Tiger enjoying a pile of enrichment<br />
boxes. Enrichment provides stimuli<br />
for our captive animals, that their wild<br />
counterparts get naturally. Enrichment<br />
encourages our animals to use all of their<br />
senses and makes their lives better.<br />
4<br />
3. Training Enrichment – Our Behavioral Management Training<br />
program allows us to mentally stimulate our animal participants<br />
through positive reinforcement techniques. The program<br />
also reduces stress, and promotes trust and a safer working<br />
environment.<br />
4. Social Enrichment – When possible, we introduce conspecific<br />
(same species) animals to each other. While most of our<br />
residents are naturally solitary animals, at times we are able to<br />
provide companionship and successfully introduce the animals,<br />
further enriching each of their lives.<br />
Unlike the tiny toddler, the majority of our animals have never<br />
explored true freedom in their natural environment. But you can<br />
help us enrich their lives by going to:<br />
turpentinecreek.org/support-us/donate-now/<br />
Please help us, help them.<br />
TC enjoys pouncing on his Boomer Ball, an<br />
enrichment item that our supporters can<br />
purchase to help improve the lives of the<br />
animals that call TCWR home.<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org \\\ 479.253.5841 \\\ www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
On September 14, 2012 we drove to Sperry, Oklahoma to rescue three tigers; Shasta, Izzy,<br />
and Max, a male tiger who has since passed away. Due to health issues, their elderly owner<br />
could no longer take care of them.<br />
When she first arrived, Shasta was grumpy and displayed aggressive behavior towards<br />
interns and animal care team members. After a while she calmed down and soon became a<br />
favorite among the TCWR family.<br />
In September 2015, Shasta and Izzy were moved into a spacious, natural habitat, becoming<br />
the last two animals to ever live in a space we affectionately called the “compound”. At first,<br />
Shasta was hesitant to explore the new grassy space, but soon she was right at home.<br />
Shasta’s attitude has changed dramatically over the past year. She chuffs at TCWR associates<br />
and interns that walk by. She loves to play in her pool, roll in leaf piles, hide in the grass and<br />
stalk people, and explore every inch of her new territory. She is a very happy and healthy<br />
tiger at the Refuge.<br />
5
New Neighbors: Kit Kat and India<br />
A Different Addition to Your TCWR Family<br />
Joy the Coyote Rescue<br />
In mid-June, a wildlife rehabilitator<br />
contacted TCWR about a very sick,<br />
malnourished coyote pup that had been<br />
rejected by her mother. While the gentleman<br />
lawfully rehabilitates found or misplaced<br />
wildlife and reintroduces the animals to<br />
the wild, Joy, the 9-week-old melanistic<br />
(black) coyote, required immediate medical<br />
attention to survive and was unable to be<br />
reintroduced to her natural environment.<br />
Because of this, the rehabilitator contacted<br />
TCWR about providing care and a lifetime<br />
home for the young pup.<br />
Joy arrived at TCWR on June 21, 2016.<br />
She was tiny – weighing little more than<br />
4 pounds – and extremely uncomfortable<br />
around humans, and the new sights and<br />
sounds at the Refuge. We knew it would<br />
take time for the wild-born coyote to get<br />
acclimated, so we gave her a quiet habitat,<br />
out of public view, at Rescue Ridge.<br />
We made sure she had plenty of toys to play<br />
with, fun stuff to dig in, and an appropriate<br />
diet. Within a month she had nearly doubled<br />
in weight and, although she is still very<br />
wary of humans, our interns regularly see<br />
her playing in her night house. She has had<br />
two rounds of vaccinations with a third still<br />
necessary. But we don’t want to overwhelm<br />
the young coyote, so we’re taking things in<br />
stride. In the near future, though, you may<br />
be able to learn about this young pup and<br />
appreciate her beauty while touring the<br />
Refuge.<br />
Standards regarding coyote habitats are<br />
different than those of <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong> habitats.<br />
We will need to update an existing space<br />
to meet appropriate regulations, or build a<br />
new space for the young girl as she grows.<br />
So, please help us give Joy a lifetime home<br />
by donating today!<br />
6<br />
Joy is a melanistic (black) coyote pup who was born in the wild and<br />
abandoned my her mother. She was found clinging to life and very sick.<br />
After being nursed back to health the animal rehabilitator knew that<br />
the tiny coyote could not be returned to the wild. He contacted TCWR,<br />
searching for a forever home for the 4 and a half pound pup.<br />
Joy<br />
Joy came to us tiny and scared of all the new sights, smells, and sounds<br />
of TCWR. With a good diet and lots of patience the tiny coyote nearly<br />
doubled in size, reaching 8 pounds within the first month at TCWR. She<br />
is continuing to grow, and settling into life with her new family.<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org \\\ 479.253.5841 \\\ www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
India<br />
After a complete rebuild of India’s habitat she returned to her<br />
enclosure to a surprise, she had a new neighbor. The patient tigress<br />
warmly welcomed Kit Kat and seems to enjoy his company, even with<br />
a fence between them.<br />
Kit Kat<br />
They say, “…third time’s a charm,” but for Kit Kat, it took a few more tries than that for us to find a perfect habitat neighbor. Kit<br />
Kat is a playful, mischievous tiger – akin to a slightly annoying sibling – and, as it were, that is exactly how Kit Kat’s past neighbors<br />
treated him. We tried many times to find a laissez-faire minded neighbor for the candy bar cat, but until recently we experienced<br />
little success. However, we may have found the perfect match in India, a very curious and equally as playful Bengal tigress.<br />
After completing a full rebuild of India’s old habitat, we decided to give Kit Kat a chance to be her neighbor. We were pleasantly<br />
surprised when the two hit it off! India does not mind Kit Kat in the slightest, and most days the duo can be seen hanging out<br />
around each other, safely separated by their night house fencing.<br />
We alternate the animals’ access to their habitat, which is vast with plenty of trees for the tigers to relax in the shade. We know<br />
both India and Kit Kat are going to love their new space, so take a tour and see how the new neighbors are doing. Although we may<br />
not be able to introduce the two as habitat mates, we’re hopeful that they will become good friends.<br />
A long-time supporter of TCWR, who works as a pet food consultant for<br />
veterinarians, contacted us on June 30, 2016 about an African serval in need of a<br />
proper home. After noticing Giselle, the 8-month-old serval, spending most of her<br />
young life in a small cage at a client’s clinic, the supporter took steps to ensure<br />
Giselle would be given the opportunity of a high-quality of life at the Refuge.<br />
An Arkansan family purchased Giselle from an exotic animal breeder in New York.<br />
The family had three children under the age of 10 and thought a serval would<br />
make a good family pet. To help domesticate Giselle, the family decided to spay<br />
and (front) declaw the animal. However, Giselle suffered complications from the<br />
declaw procedure and also broke one of her back legs, which is why she spent<br />
the majority of her young life in a cage at a veterinary office.<br />
Eventually, the TCWR supporter and veterinarian convinced the Arkansas family<br />
to relinquish ownership of Giselle. But it was immediately apparent that Giselle,<br />
although content around humans, was not meant to be a house “pet”. The<br />
supporter reached out to TCWR and the very next morning three Refuge team<br />
members travelled to Little Rock, Arkansas to rehome the young serval. Upon<br />
arrival, Giselle quickly melted the hearts of our entire team, and her bright spirit,<br />
happy meows, and curious nature make her a perfect addition to our family.<br />
The third (or fourth…fifth… tenth) time is the charm for Kit Kat. Kit Kat<br />
and his new neighbor, India, who he alternates days with in their new<br />
enclosure, get along well. They spend their days hanging out around each<br />
other and enjoying the beautiful view of the Ozarks from their new habitat.<br />
Giselle Serval: A New Addition to Your TCWR Family<br />
Giselle taking her first steps into the grass of her new<br />
habitat. Giselle spent most of her life indoors or in<br />
a cage at a veterinary clinic. In June, a supporter of<br />
TCWR contacted us to see about giving this young<br />
serval a new forever home.<br />
We’re very glad for the opportunity to give Giselle a compassionate, forever<br />
home. And we encourage you to help support this energetic girl by donating, or<br />
visiting her and her animal friends at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.<br />
7<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org /// 479.253.5841 /// www.turpentinecreek.org
8<br />
The Three “Little” Bears and a Fairytale Ending<br />
In late August, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge welcomed two new members<br />
to our family. The rescue was part of a collaborative effort to rehome three<br />
black bears in need; Michael from Oklahoma; Popper from Florida; and Mack<br />
from California. TCWR worked in unison with two reputable sanctuaries<br />
– Lions Tigers & Bears, a GFAS* accredited big cat and bear sanctuary that<br />
provided transport for the three bears; and the Performing Animal Welfare<br />
Society (PAWS), a GFAS verified sanctuary that provided a lifetime home to<br />
one of the bears. Unfortunately, the bears were unable to be released into the<br />
wild, but we’re excited to welcome Michael and Popper to our family, and give<br />
them the compassionate, lifetime home they deserve. You can help welcome<br />
Michael and Popper too, by making a “welcome donation” in their honor. Your<br />
support on any level truly means the world, so please donate today!<br />
Meet Michael:<br />
Michael was four weeks old when he was bought by his previous owners from<br />
a game farm in Indiana. Now nine years old, Michael has spent virtually all<br />
of his life in a backyard in rural Oklahoma. Unfortunately, Michael’s owners<br />
opted to declaw the bear, not knowing that the procedure is inherently cruel<br />
and causes detrimental, long-term effects including claw regrowth, which<br />
Michael is experiencing. His owners tried to provide him with the best life<br />
possible, but family hardships made it necessary to rehome the black bear.<br />
Wild black bears are capable of living upwards of thirty years, so at nine years<br />
old, Michael is truly at the prime of his life. And we’re excited to provide him<br />
with a spacious habitat and compassionate care, so he can experience many<br />
happy years at the Refuge.<br />
Popper<br />
Popper Bear was deemed a nuisance bear by Florida authorities<br />
when she attacked a woman who got between her and her cubs.<br />
Luckily, instead of being put to sleep the authorities decided<br />
to rehome her. At first, she lived at the Central Florida Zoo and<br />
Botanical Gardens, but since they didn’t have adequate funding<br />
to give her a proper habitat they decided to send her to TCWR so<br />
that she would have a good forever home.<br />
Meet Popper:<br />
Michael<br />
Michael bear was owned by a private owner in<br />
Oklahoma. Due to family hardships he relinquished<br />
Michael to TCWR. Michael was transported to TCWR<br />
by Lions, Tigers & Bears, a GFAS accredited sanctuary.<br />
Florida state officials declared Popper a nuisance animal, after<br />
she attacked a local woman who unwittingly found herself<br />
between the bear and her two young cubs. According to Florida<br />
regulations, bear attacks are typically met with immediate<br />
euthanasia of the offending animal. But officials decided to spare<br />
Popper, and transfer her and the cubs to a temporary holding<br />
facility. The cubs were eventually reintroduced to the wild, but as<br />
a nuisance animal, Popper was ultimately rehomed at the Central<br />
Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Orlando. The bear had been<br />
at the zoo since November 2014, but the facility was unable to<br />
raise adequate funding for a proper black bear habitat, so she was<br />
in desperate need of a new home. Fortunately, TCWR was able<br />
to come to her rescue and offer a lifetime home, so that she will<br />
never be uprooted ever again.<br />
By collaborating with other reputable organizations, these three<br />
bears have the opportunity to live a full, happy life. However, our<br />
available habitats will have to be altered to accommodate Michael<br />
and Popper. So donate today to bring these two of the three<br />
“little” bears their fairy tale ending. Please help us, help them.<br />
* Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org \\\ 479.253.5841 \\\ www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
Dear Purrnal,<br />
Bowden<br />
You won’t believe what the keepers did to me!<br />
They let this strange, young serval into my<br />
habitat! Her name is Giselle, and she is a new<br />
rescue at Turpentine Creek. At first, she was only<br />
allowed in the habitat when I wasn’t using it.<br />
I was a bit upset at first, but I figured it would<br />
be ok to let her have it - when I am not using it<br />
of course. That worked well for a few days but<br />
then they stopped alternating our days and let<br />
her out into my habitat when I was already in it!<br />
The energetic furball had the audacity to<br />
pounce at me and try to play with my tail! She<br />
kept creeping closer and closer to me and then<br />
would bat at my tail and run away. She did this<br />
a few times before I got up and moved away.<br />
I think she got the hint because she stopped<br />
trying to get my tail, for a while at least.<br />
Giselle<br />
I guess she isn’t all that bad, and she does look up to me. She is always following me around and mimicking whatever I am<br />
doing. I guess I could show her a thing or two about this place. I do know how to get the humans to give me special treats.<br />
They think I’m doing what they want but, in reality, I’m just getting them to do what I want and getting some delicious<br />
meat in the process.<br />
Giselle is very energetic. She runs around the habitat all day long and seems to enjoy climbing on all the benches and<br />
swings that the humans built. I don’t use them, so I don’t mind her using those things. I guess it isn’t a bad thing that the<br />
humans put her in my habitat, and she is entertaining. I just hope she eventually settles down; nap time can be hard when<br />
someone is in the background playing.<br />
The most handsome Serval,<br />
Bowden said:<br />
“I Don’t Want A<br />
New Little Sister!”<br />
Bowden<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org /// 479.253.5841 /// www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
9
10<br />
A Travel Writer’s Perspective<br />
by Jill Rohrbach, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism<br />
Tanya Smith dreams big.<br />
But then, taking care of big cats requires that.<br />
Smith is president and co-founder of Turpentine Creek<br />
Wildlife Refuge, an exotic wildlife sanctuary federally<br />
licensed and regulated by the United States Department<br />
of Agriculture and the Arkansas Game and Fish<br />
Commission. Located in Eureka Springs, this non-profit<br />
organization currently has over 50 large natural habitat<br />
enclosures ranging in size from 5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft.<br />
in which more than 60 exotic and native cats, six black<br />
bears, one grizzly bear, and a variety of other animals<br />
reside.<br />
As a second generation owner of TCWR, Smith saw<br />
a Refuge dream come true on Aug. 18 with a ribbon<br />
cutting and grand opening of the organization’s onsite<br />
veterinary facility – officially the Jackson Memorial<br />
Veterinary Hospital – named for her parents, Don and<br />
Hilda Jackson, who started the Refuge. The new hospital<br />
is the culmination of years of planning, hard work, and<br />
hundreds of thousands of donated dollars.<br />
For more than 20 years, TCWR has worked with Dr. Ron<br />
Eby, DVM at his state-of-the-art St. Francis Veterinary<br />
Clinic located 30 miles from the Refuge in Green Forest,<br />
Arkansas. However, it’s one thing to improve the health<br />
of a five-pound domestic house cat, and quite another<br />
to rehabilitate a 300-plus-pound neglected and abused<br />
victim of the exotic pet trade.<br />
Thus, the new Turpentine large mammal hospital means<br />
the veterinarian can treat the animals on-site, running<br />
blood work, taking x-rays, and performing surgeries. “The<br />
animal doesn’t have to leave the Refuge, and it’s safer<br />
for the animals and the staff,” explains Smith. “There<br />
are three big recovery cages inside with sliding walls so<br />
we can do what we need to. There are heated floors in<br />
the recovery room. It’s just going to make everything<br />
smoother and easier.”<br />
Additionally, the hospital will serve as a unique<br />
educational tool. It has the ability to share information<br />
with vets throughout the world through cameras and<br />
video conferencing. Veterinary students, interns and<br />
others in related fields can also view sterile environment<br />
surgeries via viewing windows outside the operating<br />
area.<br />
“We over built it, which is going to be awesome,” Smith<br />
says. “Past TCWR interns that have become veterinarians<br />
are chomping at the bit to get back here.”<br />
A permanent staff of seven biologists and zoologists and<br />
an intern staff of approximately 16 college graduates<br />
meet the daily care, enrichment, and other needs of<br />
the animals. More than 400 interns have worked at the<br />
refuge since 1996. Internships are offered twice a year for<br />
six month stints. TCWR alumni are scattered all over the<br />
world. Some work at zoos and refuges, some are patrol<br />
and wildlife officers in national parks, and others work at<br />
veterinary hospitals, or as researchers and videographers.<br />
“The team we’ve developed here has made a big<br />
difference,” says Smith. “The interns just care so deeply<br />
about the animals.”<br />
Turpentine operates on an annual $1.98 million budget.<br />
“That’s with all of us making next to nothing and working<br />
long hours,” Smith says. Revenue streams consist of<br />
admission fees, special event fundraising, educational<br />
programs, lodging, gift shop sales, memberships, animal<br />
adoptions and sponsorships, and private donations.<br />
“It’s been a great year for progress,” Smith adds. She has<br />
watched this refuge of humble beginnings mature as a<br />
sanctuary. TCWR has grown substantially in the last five<br />
years. The goal is no longer just getting the animals out<br />
of small concrete floor cages. Finally, they all have grass<br />
under their feet. So the focus of the facility has changed<br />
dramatically.<br />
“The big rescue got us a lot of attention,” says Smith.<br />
“Lots of media attention. We grew flat, then exponential.<br />
It feels like that is where we are now.” The “big rescue”<br />
Smith refers to was one of 34 tigers, leopards, and<br />
cougars from a private facility in Mountainburg. It was<br />
one of the largest rescues in TCWR history. Smith also<br />
attributes the tipping point for the Refuge to its donor<br />
base and social media.<br />
It was ’96 before the refuge owned a computer. Now they<br />
are in a digital world where everything is instantaneous.<br />
“We can write a blog and someone can immediately read<br />
it and make a donation,” Smith says. “Then the growth of<br />
northwest Arkansas is part of it too. [The Refuge] can’t<br />
help but grow. People love coming out here.”<br />
Admission is an all-day pass that includes a guided<br />
walking tour, as well as access to the self-guided area.<br />
Walking tours guided by knowledgeable interns and<br />
staff last about 45 minutes. Groups can make special<br />
arrangements. Trolley tours are available too. There<br />
are a variety of lodging options – suites, a tree house<br />
bungalow, Safari Lodges, and a small RV/camping park.<br />
What’s next as the Refuge works to improve the care of<br />
its big cats? Smith says they are fundraising to replace<br />
the gift shop building. “We’ve been here 24 years now<br />
so things just wear out after a while,” she explains. Ideas<br />
for improvement to the Refuge include a new parking<br />
area, construction of a new gift shop, multipurpose room<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org \\\ 479.253.5841 \\\ www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
with capacity for 200, education center with interactive<br />
displays, café, storm shelter, and improved green spaces<br />
for guests.<br />
An old green building near the current entry was recently<br />
torn down and will be replaced with two habitats that<br />
will be bigger than any of the others. New signage is in<br />
the works as part of the Refuge’s mission to educate. The<br />
Refuge board is looking at an Education Station area with<br />
benches from which to sit and watch the animals above<br />
“Rescue Ridge.”<br />
“People are still learning that the cats can’t be released<br />
into the wild,” Smith explains. “If we’re not educating<br />
along the way, we’re wasting our time.”<br />
In addition to new plans, TCWR must always keep upto-date<br />
with changing regulations. For example, staff is<br />
currently raising all of the habitats by two feet to meet<br />
Arkansas Game and Fish regulations.<br />
As TCWR grows, Smith continues to dream. For example,<br />
she’d like to see a glass viewing area like at the El Paso<br />
Zoo. While the Refuge sits upon 459 acres, there are<br />
over 300 acres available for expansion, including flat<br />
parcels and hillsides that lead to a creek running across<br />
the property. “We’ve talked about everything from<br />
gondola rides down there to…,” Smith laughs. “Might as<br />
well dream big if you’re going to dream.”<br />
The reality is, TCWR needs are consistent: money,<br />
materials, and (wo)man power.<br />
When possible, TCWR uses materials from its own land,<br />
such as clay for the roads, but most services, materials,<br />
contractors, and construction companies need to be paid.<br />
TCWR uses local folks for these endeavors as much as<br />
possible. Then, there are the basic expenses of running<br />
the business.<br />
Smith says they’ve had very few grants written for any<br />
of their work, and would welcome help in that area. The<br />
Refuge is always in need of donations.<br />
The only night of the<br />
year to see our animal<br />
residents after dark,<br />
when they’re most active.<br />
Family event including<br />
themed games, prizes,<br />
hayrides, and more!<br />
Howl-O-Ween<br />
Spooktacular<br />
unless you’re a scaredy cat . . .<br />
“We can break it down into bite-size pieces if people want<br />
to support the dreams and plans,” Smith explains. “You<br />
can even buy a brick.” For example, donors can purchase<br />
a bench for humans for $750, a bench for animals for<br />
$1,000, a ball or small barrel for $300, or a habitat for<br />
$25,000. “We have some great supporters like Fred and<br />
Sherry Sieber of Rogers, who provided habitats for four<br />
tigers,” Smith says. “That’s unusual.” Some habitats don’t<br />
even have a sponsor.<br />
During the big rescue, more than 800 people donated to<br />
the development of Rescue Ridge, which is not open to<br />
the public. “It’s a place animals need in transition [to the<br />
Refuge],” Smith explains.<br />
Much of the meat and animal food products for these<br />
carnivores are donated by several major corporations<br />
like Tyson Foods and Walmart. Typically, TCWR feeds<br />
approximately 800 pounds of raw meat and another 100<br />
pounds of produce per day to the animals under its care.<br />
TCWR does not buy, sell, trade, loan out, or breed animals.<br />
Its animals generally come from private owners who<br />
have relinquished responsibility or are otherwise unable<br />
to care for them, or in cases of abuse, neglect or public<br />
safety, are seized by law enforcement authorization.<br />
So, TCWR is dedicated to the rescue and lifetime care<br />
of these unwanted, neglected, and abused victims of the<br />
exotic pet trade with an emphasis on big cats and bear.<br />
Smith advocates for protective bills to stop the trade of<br />
these animals.<br />
“To maintain approximately 100 [animals] for over 20<br />
years is crazy,” Smith says. “That’s why it’s so important<br />
for me to set this up as a foundation.” Until federal laws<br />
are passed and humans stop breeding and selling big<br />
cats and bears, sanctuaries like TCWR will always be<br />
necessary.<br />
“So we stay true to our mission,” Smith says. “It’s a great<br />
mission and I’m as excited as I’ve ever been about it.”<br />
Save the Date:<br />
October 29<br />
{Saturday before Halloween}<br />
7pm to 9pm<br />
11
Enhancing Your Tour Experience: Beacon Program<br />
Letter from the Curator<br />
Curator Emily McCormack<br />
Now the self-guided tour area at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is better<br />
than ever! Thanks to a new mobile app called BeaconSage, visitors can access<br />
animal biographies, rescue stories, pictures, and more directly on their mobile<br />
device. It’s like having a private tour guide right in your pocket! It is a fun<br />
and educational way to learn about all the animals that call Turpentine Creek<br />
home.<br />
Small electronic units called ‘beacons’ have<br />
been strategically placed around our selfguided<br />
tour area to let those who download<br />
the free BeaconSage app access information<br />
at will, thus creating a more educational and<br />
interactive experience for our visitors.<br />
Beacon technology is relatively new, and<br />
we are still learning about all the amazing<br />
features that the BeaconSage program has<br />
to offer. Our self-guided area always has<br />
a team member available to answer any<br />
questions that visitors might have about the<br />
program or animals. As new features become<br />
available, we will include them on the mobile<br />
pages, making your self-guided experience<br />
even better.<br />
This new program is just one step towards<br />
improving your visitor experience. So<br />
stop in to see the animals, download<br />
the BeaconSage app, and explore!<br />
The BeaconSage app is an educational<br />
tour guide in your pocket. It is full of<br />
information about the animals that live<br />
in our self-guided tour area. Download it<br />
before your next visit and learn all about<br />
the animals that call TCWR home.<br />
Abby Sawyer from Dallas, Texas, is using the<br />
new BeaconSage app to learn all about the<br />
animals in the self-guided tour area. With the<br />
app, Abby learned about each animal’s rescue<br />
story, bio, and how to tell animals apart who<br />
share a habitat.<br />
Another dream realized at TCWR! On August 18, 2016, we held a grand opening event for our on-site, state-of-theart<br />
veterinary facility. The Jackson Memorial Veterinary Hospital was built to help us continue to provide optimal<br />
care for current and future rescued animals. This endeavor could not have been realized without our exceptional<br />
supporters; over 820 people were inspired to donate and make this dream a reality.<br />
Canvased by a stunning exterior, highly advanced veterinary equipment specifically designed for large animals, can<br />
be found throughout the interior of the building. We spent over two years researching other zoological hospitals and<br />
networking with industry colleagues before finalizing purchases, so we know each tool will serve our needs well. The<br />
majority of the equipment is located in the heart of the hospital, where the preparation and surgery rooms are located.<br />
The hospital is also equipped with high-resolution cameras and a media room capable of live-streaming surgeries and<br />
other educational content. The cameras also give our animal care team the ability to observe recovering patients 24<br />
hours per day. An attached garage, designed specifically to house large transport equipment and vehicles, is located<br />
on the south end of the hospital and can effectively become a secondary containment area for newly rescued animals<br />
or assessment purposes, as necessary. The north end of the hospital was designed to serve as a recovery space for<br />
patients. Three custom recovery cages – with moveable, internal walls – take up the majority of the north end. And<br />
with heated floors, the area is sure to keep our animals calm and comfortable throughout their recovery time.<br />
It was an emotional event for past and present TCWR associates, interns, the board of directors, and supporters.<br />
Whether in person or online, we all experienced each stage of this dream – planning, designing, fundraising, building,<br />
painting, furnishing, equipping, and opening – and, in a way, it’s a bittersweet sentiment. We now have an excellent<br />
on-site hospital, available to serve our animals in every way necessary, yet we hope our residents never get sick or<br />
injured. It’s a priceless feeling, though, knowing the facility is there when we need it.<br />
Thank you for supporting this dream and for helping us fulfill promises to our animal ambassadors. Because of your<br />
unwavering support, TCWR continues to be America’s premiere <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong> refuge.<br />
12<br />
Improving Your Lodging Experience<br />
On your next visit, you might notice some fantastic new<br />
additions to your vacation experience. Our team has worked<br />
hard so that we can now offer free Wi-Fi Internet to all our<br />
lodging guests and visitors. We encourage all of our visitors<br />
to utilize the free Internet to share their experience at<br />
Turpentine Creek with the world.<br />
Also, we now have a new addition to our lodging options. We<br />
have added a Safari Tent. Our Safari Tent will only be open<br />
seasonally and offers a high-end camping experience. This<br />
“Glamping” tent is family friendly and offers features like a<br />
beautiful fire pit, a standard sized bed, a bunk bed for the kids,<br />
microwave, fridge, and a gorgeous view of the Ozarks.<br />
Safari Tent guests will be able to use our newly built openair<br />
bathroom/shower. In the future, we plan to create more<br />
Safari Tents so that more families can enjoy Turpentine Creek<br />
together.<br />
Please visit our website to donate towards the construction<br />
of new Safari Tents, or for current pricing on all of our lodging<br />
options. Staying at Turpentine Creek overnight is a fun, wild,<br />
and unique experience. Take the vacation of a lifetime and<br />
spend an evening, or two, with us.<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org \\\ 479.253.5841 \\\ www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
After a successful ribbon cutting<br />
and grand opening ceremony, the<br />
fully-finished Jackson Memorial<br />
Veterinary Hospital is ready to help<br />
the first patient. Over the coming<br />
months and years the veterinary<br />
hospital will help save the lives of<br />
the hundreds of animals who call<br />
--- and will call --- TCWR home.<br />
With a joint ribbon cutting ceremony, five<br />
Chambers of Commerce (Eureka Springs,<br />
Bentonville/Bella Vista, Fayetteville,<br />
Rogers/Lowell and Branson Area Lakes)<br />
joined the TCWR team and supporters to<br />
help celebrate the grand opening of the<br />
Jackson Memorial Veterinary Hospital.<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org /// 479.253.5841 /// www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
13
Feeding Your Furry Friends<br />
Animal Diets<br />
Introducing Your Favorite Senior Bobcats<br />
What our animals eat and how much they eat is constantly changing. And making sure our animals have a healthy,<br />
filling diet can be a full-time job. So Hannah Corbin, commissary coordinator and member of our animal care team,<br />
is dedicated to ensuring each resident gets the appropriate food and nutrients they need on a daily basis. Hannah<br />
consults with Emily McCormack, our curator, every other week to evaluate and update each animal’s diet, making<br />
sure we maintain happy, healthy residents.<br />
The diets of captive and wild animals are vastly different. <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong>s in the wild eat whatever they can kill, and typically<br />
consume the entire carcass. But zebra, antelope and water buffalo are uncommon in Arkansas, so our animals enjoy<br />
an alternative offering. We supplement each animal’s diet – which typically consists of chicken and/or red meat –<br />
with vitamins and nutrients such as Calcium and Taurine, to make sure they get everything they need to stay healthy.<br />
In the wild, <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong>s typically make a kill once every few days. And when a food source is scarce, they often gorge<br />
themselves, eating 40, 50, or even 100 pounds per sitting. Many of our animals came from situations where they<br />
didn’t have access to consistent food sources, but we feed our animals on a daily basis, thus eliminating gorging and<br />
other atypical behaviors.<br />
How much we feed each animal per day is dependent on many factors. We take into account the species, weight,<br />
size, and age of the animal to get a general idea of how much the animal should eat. The season, as well as each<br />
animal’s overall health are factors that affect their diet too. Our <strong>Big</strong> <strong>Cat</strong>s tend to eat more in the cooler months and<br />
less in the hotter months. But our bears are just the opposite, eating more in the warmer months and less in the<br />
colder months.<br />
Each animal has a custom diet that our team works diligently to maintain. And thanks to our supporters, we’re able<br />
to give our animals proper diets to make sure they continue to enjoy long, healthy lives on the Refuge.<br />
In January, we rescued Bobby, a 17-year-old blind bobcat,<br />
from a state-run facility in Ohio. Bobby has settled into<br />
life on the Refuge, but after six months, he was still fairly<br />
cautious of his surroundings.<br />
Social enrichment is one of the best types of enrichment<br />
we can offer captive animals, and after lengthy discussions<br />
among our animal care team, we made the decision to<br />
introduce Bobby to Boo Boo, another male bobcat on<br />
the Refuge. Among other considerations, some positive<br />
attributes influencing our decision was that both bobcats<br />
had previously lived with other bobcats, and both animals<br />
are quite mature. We had reason to believe that the animals<br />
would get along well, and interaction with Boo Boo might<br />
even encourage Bobby to explore his environment a little<br />
more.<br />
Before giving Bobby and Boo Boo access to the same<br />
habitat, we let the two get acquainted via a fence between<br />
them. This interaction was very encouraging. They sniffed<br />
each other for a time, but neither animal showed signs of<br />
stress or overly aggressive behavior. So after a few days,<br />
being content with their progress, we removed the barrier<br />
between the two…then waited.<br />
The bobcats’ first face-to-face interaction was promising.<br />
Boo Boo approached Bobby, sniffed, and then went about<br />
his day while Bobby stayed in his night house. For a few<br />
days, this was the sum of their interaction. While Bobby<br />
and Boo Boo kept their distance at first, soon the duo was<br />
spotted laying in the sun near each other. That was a real<br />
treat to see!<br />
Bobby<br />
Bobby and Boo Boo are comfortably coexisting in their<br />
shared habitat. Bobby enjoys watching Boo Boo from<br />
their shared den while they both wait for breakfast.<br />
14<br />
Our representative from Tyson Foods, delivers a new sign to TCWR.<br />
Thanks to the generous donations from Tyson Foods and all of our<br />
donors, we know that all the animals at TCWR will never go hungry.<br />
TC enjoying his morning meal of fresh chicken. He and all the<br />
other animals who call the Refuge home get fed a balanced<br />
diet thanks to the dedicated team members at TCWR.<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org \\\ 479.253.5841 \\\ www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
Bobby is now frequently coming out of his night house to<br />
explore his new habitat; a dramatic change from only a few<br />
weeks prior. We’re very excited that the two are cohabiting in<br />
peace, and we’re hopeful that during the next few months<br />
they will grow more comfortable with each other.<br />
Stop in to visit this dynamic duo sharing a habitat opposite<br />
of their leopard neighbors. And learn more about social<br />
enrichment and how you can help our animals on page 4.<br />
Boo Boo<br />
Boo Boo enjoys spending his days in the grass of<br />
his and Bobby’s shared habitat. Thanks to Boo Boo,<br />
Bobby has also begun exploring his surroundings<br />
more and venturing out into their shared space.<br />
tigers@turpentinecreek.org /// 479.253.5841 /// www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
15
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge<br />
239 Turpentine Creek Lane<br />
Eureka Springs, AR. 72632<br />
Shasta is our featured animal!<br />
See page 5.<br />
Shasta<br />
Non-Profit Org.<br />
U.S. Postage Paid<br />
Permit No. 20<br />
Eureka Springs, AR<br />
Please fill out this donation form, detach, fold as needed, and mail to:<br />
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge • 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, AR 72632<br />
Thank You!<br />
Yes! I will help!<br />
Enclosed is my Tax Deductible Contribution of:<br />
2017 Calendars - pre-order: $10 each X ___ calendars + $5 S/H = $_________<br />
Donations: $25 $35 $50 $100 Other $_________<br />
Buy a Brick from Bam Bam<br />
Single Annual Pass<br />
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge<br />
$50<br />
Membership: 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, AR 72632<br />
Email: tigers@turpentinecreek.org Family Website: Annual www.turpentinecreek.org Pass $90<br />
Phone: 479.253.5841 Office: 479.253.5958<br />
Bam Bam is selling bricks to help all his Veterinary fellow ‘compound critters’ Hospital get a grrreat new habitat like he has. $_______<br />
Your purchase of a “Bam Bam Brick” will go towards our Habitat Fund.<br />
Multi-purpose Welcome Center<br />
Your personalized brick will be displayed in Bam Bam’s viewing walkway.<br />
Buy a Brick from Bam Bam<br />
$_______<br />
Donor Name:<br />
Turpentine Other: Creek ______________<br />
Wildlife Refuge<br />
$_______<br />
Address:<br />
239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, AR 72632<br />
Email: tigers@turpentinecreek.org Website: www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
Multi-purpose City: Welcome Center: We State: are currently fundraising Zip: to build and equip a new, multipurpose<br />
welcome Phone: center. Among other things, Email: the new facility will enhance your visitor experience with<br />
Bam Bam is selling bricks to help all his fellow ‘compound critters’ get a grrreat new habitat like he has.<br />
interactive educational Your I would purchase like to opportunities, order of a the “Bam following Bam Brick” brick expanded size: will go towards retail our Habitat space, Fund.<br />
multi-functional conference area, and a<br />
light-fare café. Please support our efforts in making this dream a reality. Donate today!<br />
Address:<br />
Bam Bam’s<br />
Brick Program: Phone:<br />
Lay personalized<br />
bricks in Bam Bam’s<br />
viewing walkway<br />
and support the<br />
Habitat Fund,<br />
making grrreat new<br />
habitats for other<br />
residents.<br />
Phone: 479.253.5841 Office: 479.253.5958<br />
Your personalized 4x8 brick Concrete will be Red displayed Brick (3 lines Bam of Text; Bam’s 20 characters viewing each) walkway.<br />
$100.00<br />
Donor Name: 8x8 Concrete Red Brick (6 lines of Text; 20 characters each) $250.00<br />
4x4 Replica Tile (Souvenir; to be shipped to Donor) $25.00<br />
4x8" Brick (Up to 3 text lines of 20 characters each) $100<br />
City: Add ClipArt Image to Brick State: 1 (note text limitation below) Zip: $25.00<br />
I do not wish to buy a brick at this Email: time, but I would like to make a contribution of $<br />
Choose picture: (Reduces text max 3 lines 15 characters each)<br />
I would like to order the following brick size:<br />
Choose ClipArt:<br />
4x8 Concrete Red Brick (3 lines of Text; 20 characters each) $100.00<br />
$25<br />
1<br />
8x8 Concrete Red Brick (6 lines of Text; 20 characters each) $250.00<br />
-***If purchasing a ClipArt image, text limited to 3 lines; 15 characters each on a 4x8. Text limited to 5 lines; 20 characters each on an 8x8.<br />
My Brick Will Say... 4x4 (one Replica character Tile per (Souvenir; box [including to be spaces shipped and to puntuation]. Donor) Please Print Clearly.) $25.00<br />
8x8" Brick (Up to 6 text lines of 20 characters each) $250<br />
Add ClipArt Image to Brick 1 (note text limitation below) $25.00<br />
I do not Choose wish to buy picture: a brick at this (Reduces time, but I would text like to make max a contribution 5 lines of 20 $ characters each)<br />
Choose ClipArt:<br />
$25<br />
1<br />
-***If purchasing a ClipArt image, text limited to 3 lines; 15 characters each on a 4x8. Text limited to 5 lines; 20 characters each on an 8x8.<br />
My Brick Will Say... (one character per box [including spaces and puntuation]. Please Print Clearly.)<br />
4x4" Replica Tile (with brick purchase only, ships to you) $25<br />
Please write your brick text on back of this form, noting maximum characters and lines in selection above.<br />
Total Amount: $ Cash Check Credit Card<br />
CC#<br />
Signature: Exp: CVC:<br />
Adoptions and Sponsorships<br />
Make Checks payable to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.<br />
Mail order forms to address at top of form, attn: Bam Bam Brick Program.<br />
Animal Sponsor:<br />
Small Mammal/Bird<br />
Small <strong>Cat</strong>/Monkey<br />
Cougar/Leopard<br />
Lion/Tiger/Bear<br />
$700/yr<br />
Total Amount: $ Cash Check Credit Card<br />
CC#<br />
Signature: $1,000/yr Exp: CVC:<br />
Make Checks payable to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.<br />
Mail order forms to address at top of form, attn: Bam Bam Brick Program.<br />
$2,200/yr<br />
$2,500/yr<br />
Adoption / Sponsorship includes membership.<br />
Opt out to make donation 100% tax deductible.<br />
Animal Adoption:<br />
Small Mammal/Bird<br />
Small <strong>Cat</strong>/Monkey<br />
Cougar/Leopard<br />
Lion/Tiger/Bear<br />
Membership Opt Out<br />
$100/yr<br />
$100/yr<br />
$125/yr<br />
$150/yr<br />
Adopted/Sponsored Animals Name: ______________________________<br />
Monthly Payments Available For Sponsorships, See Website: www.turpentinecreek.org<br />
Total Contribution: $________<br />
Name:______________________________________________ Phone #: _______________________________<br />
Address:_________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________________________<br />
City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________________________<br />
Input Credit Card below or make checks payable to TCWR.<br />
Credit Card #:<br />
Exp. Date: _/ _ /_ CVC Code: _