National Wildlife Day
Join us at TCWR to learn about the native wildlife you can find at Turpentine!
Unsponsored Animal of the Week
Lakota
Popular Species
View All Programs & Activities
02/22/2024
03/03/2024
World Wildlife Day
Join us at TCWR and learn about all the wildlife we rescue!
03/09/2024
Brown Bears vs. Black Bears @ 10:30 am
How do you tell the difference between a brown bear and a black bear? Join our Wildlife Interpreter as we discuss the characteristics we can use to identify the different species.
03/09/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/09/2024
Cat Connections @ 12:30 pm
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.
03/09/2024
Recycle for our Lifecycle @ 3:30 pm
Learn why we recycle plastics with our Wildlife Interpreter.
03/10/2024
Releasing Captive Animals @ 10:30 am
Releasing captive animals can be dangerous to both people and the ecological structure of nature. Come learn how this happens and why it is unwise to release captive animals.
03/10/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/10/2024
What Does a Bear Eat? @ 12:30 pm
Did you know that bears are omnivores, just like people? They spend most of their day scavenging for food. Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters to explore the diverse diets of our bears here at TCWR.
03/11/2024
Wild vs. Domesticated @ 10:30 am
Learn the difference between a wild animal and a domesticated animal and how to keep the animals wild.
03/11/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/11/2024
Bears 4 Beginners @ 12:30 pm
While grizzly bears don’t live naturally in Arkansas, black bears do! Join one of our Wildlife Interpreter as we learn how to i.d. these two different bears, making life easier when you visit a place that they live naturally together!
03/12/2024
Illusion of Innocence @ 10:30 am
While it may seem cool to hold or pet a baby exotic animal, pay-to-play and cub-petting programs have a dark side. Join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about this exploitation and what you can do to protect these animals in the future.
03/12/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/12/2024
Pioneer a Predator @ 11:30 am
Different animals look strange for a reason! Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we learn how these strange features found on our predators give them an advantage in their environment! We will do a short craft at the end!
03/13/2024
Tigers in the Wild @ 10:30 am
Did you know there are less than 3,900 tigers left in the wild? Join our wildlife interpreter as they discuss some of the major threats that tigers face in the wild every day
03/13/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/13/2024
Feisty Felines @ 11:30 am
Enrichment is a vital aspect of maintaining the well-being of animals in captivity. Join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about the different ways our animals keep their bodies and brains busy and active.
03/13/2024
Be Bear Aware @ 12:30 pm
95% of the time, people are responsible for the outcome of the bear in an attack. Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters and discover how to be safe when visiting bear country for both humans and bears alike.
03/14/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/14/2024
Backyard Predators @ 11:30 am
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!
03/14/2024
Brown Bears vs. Black Bears @ 12:30 pm
How do you tell the difference between a brown bear and a black bear? Join our Wildlife Interpreter as we discuss the characteristics we can use to identify the different species.
03/14/2024
Hyena Harmonies @ 3:30 pm
Hyenas make a wide variety of sounds that help them survive out in the wild. Come join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about what their noises mean and why they’re important.
03/15/2024
Hype of Hybrids @ 10:30 am
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.
03/15/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/15/2024
What is a Home? @ 11:30 am
What makes a good home? Learn what animals’ homes need with our Wildlife Interpreter.
03/15/2024
Feline Purrception @ 12:30 pm
Just like us humans, all cats have their 5 senses to help them survive and adapt in the wild. 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.
03/15/2024
Releasing Captive Animals @ 3:30 pm
Releasing captive animals can be dangerous to both people and the ecological structure of nature. Come learn how this happens and why it is unwise to release captive animals.
03/16/2024
What Skulls Tell Us @ 10:30 am
Did you know that an animal's skull can tell us a lot about how an animal lives its life? Join our Wildlife Interpreter and learn why different animal species have different skulls.
03/16/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/16/2024
The History of Cats @ 12:30 pm
How did some cats evolve from fearsome and dangerous predators into beloved household companions? Come find out with one of our wildlife interpreters as they discuss the history and evolution of cats.
03/16/2024
Recycle for our Lifecycle @ 3:30 pm
Learn why we recycle plastics with our Wildlife Interpreter.
03/17/2024
Brown Bears vs. Black Bears @ 10:30 am
How do you tell the difference between a brown bear and a black bear? Join our Wildlife Interpreter as we discuss the characteristics we can use to identify the different species.
03/17/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/17/2024
Wild vs. Domesticated @ 12:30 pm
Learn the difference between a wild animal and a domesticated animal and how to keep the animals wild.
03/18/2024
What Does a Bear Eat? @ 10:30 am
Did you know that bears are omnivores, just like people? They spend most of their day scavenging for food. Join our wildlife interpreters to explore the diverse diets of our bears here at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.
03/18/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/18/2024
Releasing Captive Animals @ 11:30 pm
Releasing captive animals can be dangerous to both people and the ecological structure of nature. Come learn how this happens and why it is unwise to release captive animals.
03/18/2024
Talking Tracks @ 12:30 pm
Toes, claws, and paws are clues to identifying different tracks left behind by different animals. Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we look and identify different track molds that you may or may not encounter in the wild.
03/19/2024
Cat Connections @ 10:30 am
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.
03/19/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/19/2024
Enrichment Making Fun @ 11:30 am
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!
03/20/2024
Tigers in the Wild @ 10:30 am
Did you know there are less than 3,900 tigers left in the wild? Join our wildlife interpreter as they discuss some of the major threats that tigers face in the wild every day
03/20/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/20/2024
Illusion of Innocence @ 11:30 am
While it may seem cool to hold or pet a baby exotic animal, pay-to-play and cub-petting programs have a dark side. Join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about this exploitation and what you can do to protect these animals in the future.
03/20/2024
The Sounds of the Refuge @ 12:30 pm
Chuffs, roars, and chirps are all sounds you may hear while at the refuge. Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we learn about the different sounds you may hear while visiting Turpentine Creek and who they belong to.
03/21/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/21/2024
The Lions of North America @ 11:30
It’s a puma, a panther, it’s a Cougar! Join an Interpreter as we learn about what exactly is a “Lion of North America.”
03/21/2024
What Skulls Tell Us @ 12:30 am
Did you know that an animal's skull can tell us a lot about how an animal lives its life? Join our Wildlife Interpreter and learn why different animal species have different skulls.
03/21/2024
Feisty Felines @ 3:30 pm
Enrichment is a vital aspect of maintaining the well-being of animals in captivity. Join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about the different ways our animals keep their bodies and brains busy and active.
03/22/2024
Backyard Predators @ 10:30 am
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!
03/22/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/22/2024
What is a Home? @ 11:30 am
What makes a good home? Learn what animals’ homes need with our Wildlife Interpreter.
03/22/2024
Hyena Harmonies @ 12:30 pm
Hyenas make a wide variety of sounds that help them survive out in the wild. Come join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about what their noises mean and why they’re important.
03/22/2024
Brown Bears vs. Black Bears @ 3:30 pm
How do you tell the difference between a brown bear and a black bear? Join our Wildlife Interpreter as we discuss the characteristics we can use to identify the different species.
03/23/2024
World Bear Day
Join TCWR and learn more about the different bears that call us home.
03/23/2024
Releasing Captive Animals @ 10:30 am
Releasing captive animals can be dangerous to both people and the ecological structure of nature. Come learn how this happens and why it is unwise to release captive animals.
03/23/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/23/2024
Feline Purrception @ 12:30 pm
Just like us humans, all cats have their 5 senses to help them survive and adapt in the wild. 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.
03/23/2024
Recycle for our Lifecycle @ 3:30 pm
Learn why we recycle plastics with our Wildlife Interpreter.
03/24/2024
What Skulls Tell Us @ 10:30 am
Did you know that an animal's skull can tell us a lot about how an animal lives its life? Join our Wildlife Interpreter and learn why different animal species have different skulls.
03/24/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/24/2024
What Does a Bear Eat? @ 12:30 pm
Did you know that bears are omnivores, just like people? They spend most of their day scavenging for food. Join our wildlife interpreters to explore the diverse diets of our bears here at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.
03/25/2024
Wild vs. Domesticated @ 10:30 am
Learn the difference between a wild animal and a domesticated animal and how to keep the animals wild.
03/25/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/25/2024
Brown Bears vs. Black Bears @ 11:30 am
How do you tell the difference between a brown bear and a black bear? Join our Wildlife Interpreter as we discuss the characteristics we can use to identify the different species.
03/25/2024
Hype of Hybrids @ 12:30 pm
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.
03/26/2024
The History of Cats @10:30 am
How did some cats evolve from fearsome and dangerous predators into beloved household companions? Come find out with one of our wildlife interpreters as they discuss the history and evolution of cats.
03/26/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/26/2024
Bears 4 Beginners @ 11:30 am
While grizzly bears don’t live naturally in Arkansas, black bears do! Join one of our Wildlife Interpreter as we learn how to i.d. these two different bears, making life easier when you visit a place that they live naturally together!
03/27/2024
Tigers in the Wild @ 10:30 am
Did you know there are less than 3,900 tigers left in the wild? Join our wildlife interpreter as they discuss some of the major threats that tigers face in the wild every day
03/27/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/27/2024
Cat Connections @ 11:30 am
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.
03/27/2024
Pioneer a Predator @ 12:30 pm
Different animals look strange for a reason! Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we learn how these strange features found on our predators give them an advantage in their environment! We will do a short craft at the end!
03/28/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/28/2024
Be Bear Aware @ 11:30 am
95% of the time, people are responsible for the outcome of the bear in an attack. Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters and discover how to be safe when visiting bear country for both humans and bears alike.
03/28/2024
Releasing Captive Animals @ 12:30 pm
Releasing captive animals can be dangerous to both people and the ecological structure of nature. Come learn how this happens and why it is unwise to release captive animals.
03/28/2024
Illusion of Innocence @ 3:30 pm
While it may seem cool to hold or pet a baby exotic animal, pay-to-play and cub-petting programs have a dark side. Join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about this exploitation and what you can do to protect these animals in the future.
03/29/2024
Talking Tracks @ 10:30 am
Toes, claws, and paws are clues to identifying different tracks left behind by different animals. Join one of our Wildlife Interpreters as we look and identify different track molds that you may or may not encounter in the wild.
03/29/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/29/2024
What is a Home? @ 11:30 am
What makes a good home? Learn what animals’ homes need with our Wildlife Interpreter.
03/29/2024
Feisty Felines @ 12:30 pm
Enrichment is a vital aspect of maintaining the well-being of animals in captivity. Join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about the different ways our animals keep their bodies and brains busy and active.
03/29/2024
What Skulls Tell Us @ 3:30 pm
Did you know that an animal's skull can tell us a lot about how an animal lives its life? Join our Wildlife Interpreter and learn why different animal species have different skulls.
03/30/2024
Brown Bears vs. Black Bears @ 10:30 am
How do you tell the difference between a brown bear and a black bear? Join our Wildlife Interpreter as we discuss the characteristics we can use to identify the different species.
03/30/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/30/2024
Hyena Harmonies @ 12:30 pm
Hyenas make a wide variety of sounds that help them survive out in the wild. Come join our Wildlife Interpreter to learn about what their noises mean and why they’re important.
03/30/2024
Recycle for our Lifecycle @ 3:30 pm
Learn why we recycle plastics with our Wildlife Interpreter.
03/31/2024
Releasing Captive Animals @ 10:30 am
Releasing captive animals can be dangerous to both people and the ecological structure of nature. Come learn how this happens and why it is unwise to release captive animals.
03/31/2024
Wild Child Scavenger Hunt @ 11 am
With an interactive game for the whole family to enjoy, you will explore the Discovery Area, meet the animals at TCWR, and find all the clues to the activity. Meet one of our Wildlife Interpreters today to get started with your fun adventure.
03/31/2024
What Does a Bear Eat? @ 12:30 pm
Did you know that bears are omnivores, just like people? They spend most of their day scavenging for food. Join our wildlife interpreters to explore the diverse diets of our bears here at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.
04/05/2024
National Wildlife Week
Come join Turpentine for the weekend to learn the stories of these animals that call us home.
11/07/2024
Bam Bam Day
Join our wildlife interpreters throughout the day as they discuss Bam Bam and other bear necessities.
12/04/2024
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.
12/10/2024
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.
Teacher Resources
Fun Fact #1
Servals have the largest ears in relation to body size of any cat.
Fun Fact #2
A “black panther” is actually a melanistic jaguar or leopard.
Fun Fact #3
Cougars are one of the closest living relatives to cheetahs.
Fun Fact #4
Asiatic lions are still found in the Gir Forest in India.
Fun Fact #5
The word caracal comes from the Turkish word “karakulak,” which means “black ear.”
Fun Fact #6
Leopards can climb a tree while carrying prey weighing more than itself!
Fun Fact #7
A pride of lions is made up of mostly females, who do the hunting.
Fun Fact #8
Caracals, although often called the Desert Lynx, are not actually a lynx.
Fun Fact #9
Servals have proportionally longer legs than any other cat species.
Fun Fact #10
A cougar’s scream sounds like that of a human.
Fun Fact #11
A jaguar can take down prey larger than itself - including a caiman!
Fun Fact #12
A bobcat can take down a deer!
Fun Fact #13
A cougar’s tail can be a third the length of its entire body!
Fun Fact #14
Lions will work together to take down prey.
Fun Fact #15
Cougars can jump up to 18 feet straight in the air and leap 40 feet horizontally.
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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