At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, when we rescue our animals, there are times where law enforcement coordinates these rescues with us. When law enforcement helps us it is because their owners are in trouble for having their animals. Once they are at our facility, in order to protect the animals from their previous owners, they go into what we call Witness Protection.
What is Witness Protection?
Witness protection is what some of our animals will have to be under when we rescue them. We are not able to tell the public how they came to our facility, their personalities, and sometimes even their names. This helps hide the identity of the animal while the previous owner/facility is in the middle of litigation for various reasons.
What animals at TCWR at under Witness Protection?
We have had a few animals in which had to go under witness protection. An example is when we helped rescue 10 animals from the Tiger King Park in OK. While that court case was being investigated, we were not able to tell the public their names or even personalities. It wasn’t until the court case got further on, we were able to tell the public more about their rescues. More recently, we rescued a tiger cub named Fred. He is on witness protection in order for law enforcement to do their work. Until their work is finished we are not able to tell you his whole story.
What happens with Witness Protection?
The inability to share the animals’ stories prevents us in raising the funds to help the animals’ health if they need any medical assistance when they arrive at TCWR. We had an animal we rescued that gave birth to 3 tiger cubs named DOJ, Jinx and Rosie. We had to do a little more hands on veterinary care with them as they were born with club feet, the inability to use their back 2 legs. They are thriving now with the help from our vet and animal care staff.
What can you do to help?
You can help us raise funds to help these animals who we are not able to share their whole stories as all animals need our help. Come visit Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, AR. Your visit helps go back to help take care of our animals.
