Turpentine Creek Sanctuary in Eureka Springs — Live Webcam

Turpentine Creek Sanctuary — a refuge for rescued tigers

In the Ozark Mountains, in a quiet corner of Arkansas, there is a place where big cats get a second chance at life. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is not a zoo in the traditional sense. It is a genuine rescue sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Animals are not bred here, sold, or subjected to direct contact with visitors. Every tiger, lion, or leopard in this sanctuary has been rescued from cruel conditions: private ownership, roadside zoos, or situations where the animal was simply abandoned.

The sanctuary operates as a nonprofit organization, and its mission is to give wild cats a dignified life after the trauma inflicted upon them by humans. For many of them, Turpentine Creek becomes a final haven where they can run through the grass, bask in the sun, and simply be tigers — not objects of entertainment, but free beings in conditions as close to nature as possible.

Tigers living free: enclosures in the Ozark Mountains

The sanctuary's territory spans 459 acres (186 ha) of scenic hills and forests of the Ozark mountain range. These are not cages with concrete floors — 27 natural habitats have been created here, where animals can run, play, climb trees, and simply enjoy the space. For tigers that spent years cramped in small enclosures or garages, this way of life is a true miracle.

The sanctuary is home to over 100 animals: tigers, lions, bears, leopards, jaguars, cougars, hyenas, and even hybrids — ligers and tigons. Each animal has been given a name and has a story. Some were found exhausted behind a circus, others were taken from a collector who kept a tiger as a "living exhibit" in the yard. Here, they all receive veterinary care, proper nutrition, and space to live.

White tigers: a genetic rarity at the sanctuary

One of the most striking features of Turpentine Creek is its collection of white tigers. The sanctuary houses 45 tigers, of which 18 are white. These majestic animals with blue eyes and creamy-white fur with dark stripes are not a separate species or even a subspecies. They are Bengal tigers with a rare recessive genetic mutation that causes leucism — a partial loss of pigmentation.

White tigers have become targets of illegal trade and irresponsible captive breeding. Many suffer from genetic problems due to inbreeding practiced by unscrupulous breeders to produce trendy "white" offspring. At Turpentine Creek, white tigers live in spacious enclosures where they can exhibit natural behaviors — patrolling their territory, swimming in ponds, and resting in the shade of trees.

Rescue and rehabilitation: stories from sanctuary life

Over more than 30 years of operation, the sanctuary has rescued over 400–500 animals from private owners, roadside zoos, and situations of abuse. Turpentine Creek participates in major rescue operations across the country. In 2023, 33 wild cats were brought here from an accredited facility in Florida that could no longer properly care for the animals. In 2021, the sanctuary accepted four big cats from a zoo connected to the well-known figure Joe Exotic. And more recently, two tigers were transferred here from the closed Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary in Missouri.

Every rescue operation is a complex process: veterinary exams, quarantine, adaptation to a new home. Many tigers arrive with injuries — both physical and psychological. Some don't know how to interact with their own kind, others fear humans. Sanctuary staff work patiently with each animal, helping it learn to be a tiger again.

Educational mission: why the cameras are needed

The webcams at Turpentine Creek are not installed for entertainment — they are part of the sanctuary's educational mission. The live streams allow people around the world to observe rescued big cats in their natural habitat without disturbing their peace. This raises awareness about the problem of keeping wild cats in captivity and the illegal wildlife trade.

The sanctuary actively advocates for federal legislation restricting private ownership of big cats. The cameras become a voice for those who cannot speak — they show the reality of tiger life in captivity and how their fate changes when they arrive at a genuine sanctuary. Watching tigers in real time is not just entertainment — it is a way to understand why wild animals should remain wild.

What you can see on the camera

On the live stream from Turpentine Creek sanctuary, you see a tiger — Amur or Bengal — in a spacious enclosure with green grass. The tiger walks slowly across its territory, patrolling its domain or simply resting in the sun. In the background, you can see a metal fence beyond which the next enclosure or a forested area begins. Sometimes you can spot a tigress playing with environmental enrichment — large balls or logs specially placed in the enclosures to stimulate natural behaviors.

This online camera is a window into a world where rescued wild cats live with dignity. You can watch tigers in real time, see how they move, rest, and interact with their environment. This is not a staged show — it is the real life of a sanctuary where every day involves the work of rescuing and rehabilitating animals. The camera broadcasts live, allowing you to witness what genuine care for big cats looks like.