World Bear Day
Join us at TCWR to learn all about the bears that call TCWR their home.
Unsponsored Animal of the Week
Jasmine III
Popular Species
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03/23/2025
03/24/2025
Enrichment Making Fun @ 9:30 a.m.
Join a Wildlife Interpreter as we learn about different enrichment items and help us gather or put something together for our animals we have here at Turpentine Creek! What we do is a surprise and is up to the Interpreter to decide!
03/24/2025
Tiger Matching Game @ 10:30 a.m.
Tigers can be difficult to tell apart! By identifying unique stripes on a tiger's face, you can learn who is who. Visit TCWR to play a fun tiger matching game!
03/24/2025
Bears 4 Beginners @ 11:30 a.m.
While grizzly bears don’t live naturally in Arkansas, black bears do! Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we learn how to i.d. these two different bears, making life easier when you visit a place that they live naturally together!
03/24/2025
Staying Safe in Cougar Country @ 12:30 p.m.
Human encroachment on cougar territory leads to conflict, making it vital to learn how to stay safe around them. Join a Wildlife Interpreter to learn how to stay safe in cougar country!
03/25/2025
TCWR Trivia @ 9:30 a.m.
Vist TCWR and play a trivia game to win a prize!
03/25/2025
Scavenger Hunt @ 10:30 a.m.
Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters with a scavenger hunt! Hunt for answers to questions about animals found right here at TCWR, and win a prize!
03/25/2025
If you give a tiger a toy @ 11:30 a.m.
Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we discuss what kind of toys you might see some of our animals playing with and even make your own toy for staff and interns to give to the animals later!
03/25/2025
Cat Connections @ 12:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered how our feline friends have ties to their big cat family members? Join our Wildlife Interpreter to discuss the similarities and differences between domestic cats and big cats.
03/26/2025
Backyard Predators @ 9:30 a.m.
There are lots of clues that can help you figure out what lives in your backyard and neighborhoods! Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we i.d. some predators that call Arkansas home and might be living in your backyard or neighborhood!
03/26/2025
Jaguar vs. Leopard @ 11:30 p.m.
Jaguars and Leopards are commonly confused for eachother, however there are many differences between the two. Visit TCWR to learn more about jaguars and leopards!
03/26/2025
True vs. Pseudo Facilities @ 12:30 p.m.
Have you always done your research before visiting an animal facilty? If not, come join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn why it's so mportant, and how to spot a true sanctuary/zoo from a fake one.
03/27/2025
Hype of Hybrids @ 9:30 a.m.
We have many animals that do not look like normal wild cats. There are several hybrids here at Turpentine, meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters and discuss what a hybrid is and why these creatures should not exist.
03/27/2025
Scavenger Hunt @ 10:30 a.m.
Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters with a scavenger hunt! Hunt for answers to questions about animals found right here at TCWR, and win a prize!
03/27/2025
Feline Purrception @ 11:30 a.m.
Just like us humans, all cats have their 5 senses to help them survive out in the wild. Come join our Wildlife Interpreter to take a closer look at each of these senses and how they play a role in a cat's daily life.
03/27/2025
What Skulls Tell Us @ 12:30 p.m.
By looking at the anatomy of an animals skull we can learn numerous things about the species. Visit with a Wildlife Interpreter to learn what skulls can tell us about an animal!
03/28/2025
Scavenger Hunt @ 9:30 a.m.
Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters with a scavenger hunt! Hunt for answers to questions about animals found right here at TCWR, and win a prize!
03/28/2025
The Lions of North America @ 10:30 a.m.
Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we discuss the "lions" you can find wandering around in your backyard.
03/28/2025
Cycle of Waste: Here Forever? @ 11:30 a.m.
The waste we produce continues to build up in the environment, where it releases toxic pollutants. Join a Wildlife Interpreter as we answer the questions: “How long do different waste products take to break down?” and “What waste can we recycle?”
03/28/2025
Bobcats @ 12:30 p.m.
Join a Wildlife Interpreter as we learn about a wild cat that lives right here in Arkansas: The bobcat!
03/29/2025
Enrichment Making Fun @ 9:30 a.m.
Join a Wildlife Interpreter as we learn about different enrichment items and help us gather or put something together for our animals we have here at Turpentine Creek! What we do is a surprise and is up to the Interpreter to decide!
03/29/2025
Feisty Felines @ 10:30 a.m.
Enrichment is a vital aspect of maintaining the well-being of animals in cpativity. Join our Wildlie Interpreter to learn about the different ways our animals keep their bodies and brains busy and active.
03/29/2025
All About Bears @ 11:30 a.m.
Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we learn all about bears!
03/29/2025
Discovery Table @ 12:30 p.m.
Join an education team member as there will be a table set up with replica skulls, teeth, and claws!
04/05/2025
National Wildlife Week
Come join Turpentine for the weekend to learn the stories of these animals that call us home.
05/16/2025
National Endangered Species Day
Join us to learn about the endangered species that call TCWR home and their wild counterparts!
07/29/2025
International Tiger Day
Join us to learn all about the tigers and those that call TCWR home!
08/10/2025
World Lion Day
Join us to learn all about lions and those that call TCWR home!
09/04/2025
National Wildlife Day
Join us at TCWR to learn about the native wildlife you can find at Turpentine!
11/02/2025
Bam Bam Day
Visit TCWR to celebrate Bam Bam and show him some love!
12/04/2025
World Wildlife Conservation Day
Come and join us at TCWR on Wildlife Conservation Day, December 4th. Did you know many species, from all over the world, are endangered due to harmful actions of humans; from hunting and wildlife trafficking to the destruction of their habitats. Through tours and small talks, discover how you can help stop the number of endangered species from rising and how to help the ones whose numbers are already extremely low.
12/10/2025
International Day of Animal Rights
Visit TCWR for National Animal Rights Day as we discover how we can help stop the abuse that wildlife endure from humans. This is a day dedicated to spread awareness on all wildlife established by the non-profit Our Planet. Theirs Too. Join TCWR staff as we explore different opportunities to become their voice and help stop their suffering.
03/03/2026
World Wildlife Day
Join us at TCWR and learn about all the wildlife we rescue!
Teacher Resources
Fun Fact #1
The cougar has the largest range of any cat.
Fun Fact #2
Female spotted hyenas are larger and more aggressive than the males.
Fun Fact #3
Caracals can jump 10 feet in the air, and can take down up to 12 birds mid-flight.
Fun Fact #4
A leopard can climb a tree while carrying prey weighing more than itself.
Fun Fact #5
Three of the eight bear species live in North America: Black Bears, Brown Bears and Polar Bears.
Fun Fact #6
Cougars can run up to 50 mph.
Fun Fact #7
Tigers can weigh anywhere from 200 lbs to over 600 lbs.
Fun Fact #8
Grizzly bears have long claws to help them dig.
Fun Fact #9
The cougar is the largest species of small cats.
Fun Fact #10
A jaguar can take down prey larger than itself - including a caiman!
Fun Fact #11
Servals mark their territory by spraying, anywhere from 20 to 40 times an hour!
Fun Fact #12
All white tigers are Bengal Tigers.
Fun Fact #13
Caracals have long, black tufts of fur on the tip of each ear.
Fun Fact #14
Leopards are the smallest species of big cat.
Fun Fact #15
Black bears are great climbers and can quickly scale a tree.
Our Mission
To provide lifetime refuge for abused and neglected “Big Cats” with emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. Through public education we work to end the Exotic Animal Trade, making sanctuaries like Turpentine Creek no longer necessary; together, we can preserve and protect these magnificent predators in the wild for our children’s future.
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