By Karen Rice Special to Official Kids Mag

Bam Bam

Simba

Ever wished you could go on a safari to see exotic animals in wide open spaces ?

Well , you can ! Right here in Northwest Arkansas !

At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge , just outside of Eureka Springs , you ’ ll find one of the most exciting animal adventures around . There , you can see about 100 exotic animals , including African lions , tigers , leopards , bobcats , cougars , leopards , a jaguar and even a bear named Bam Bam , all running and playing just as they do in the wild , on a 459-acre ranch that they call home .

These beautiful wild creatures have been rescued from places and people who didn ’ t care for them properly , or tried unsuccessfully to make them pets .

Their first rescued animal , back in 1992 , was a young lion named Bum , whose owner got him as a cub and then realized he couldn ’ t take care for him as he grew . Since then , Turpentine Creek has provided healthy food , shelter and care to hundreds of animals , allowing people to learn about

Abigail

Dillan and see them , not in cages , but in the wide-open spaces that they love . It ’ s one of the largest and most-respected big cat reserves in the country , and visiting here is a unique learning experience for all animal lovers .

In 2022 , the United States passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act . That law made it illegal for people to sell and own big cats like lions , tigers , leopards , cheetahs and cougars . It also keeps places like zoos and sanctuaries from letting visitors touch the animals or hold cubs . Places like Turpentine Creek are the only hope for some of these animals who have been denied the freedom to live life in the wild . Some estimate that there are more tigers kept by private owners in America than there are living in the wild in India and Asia . Many people get them as adorable cubs , before they grow to be not-soadorable adults , weighing as much as 600 pounds .

Not all breeds of wild cats are included in the law . Cheryl King , who is the marketing director at Turpentine Creek , says that now they are getting a lot of smaller exotic cats – which are every bit as dangerous .

Although they may look cute and cuddly as cubs , they are still wild animals . Once they have had human contact , it ’ s difficult or impossible for them to ever get along in the wild again .

6 • January 2025 • www . OfficialKidsMag . com