Tigers won't make an appearance on Bentonville Square, but that doesn't mean you can't get up close and personal with the big cats -- and other animals -- Sunday at Sidewalk Sundays at The Walmart Museum.
"We will have educational displays and all sorts of different things -- shed fur, teeth and claws -- that the kids can interact with," says Tanya Smith, president and founder of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs.
FAQ
Sidewalk Sundays at The Walmart Museum: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
WHEN — 2-5 p.m. Sunday
WHERE — The Walmart Museum on the Bentonville Square, 105 N. Main St.
COST — Free
INFO — 479-273-1329 ext. 2 or walmartmuseum.com
FYI
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
WHEN — 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (summer hours) and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (winter hours)
WHERE — 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs
COST — $10-20; 3 and younger admitted free
INFO — 253-5841 or turpentinecreek.org
The nonprofit animal sanctuary is the featured guest at the community event in downtown Bentonville.
Turpentine Creek, started in 1992, is most often associated with tigers, but it also cares for bears, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, leopards, ligers, lions and servals. More than 100 animals live on nearly 500 acres at the refuge, just off Arkansas 23 a few miles south of Eureka Springs. The sanctuary was created so these animals -- many of which were pets their owners realized they couldn't care for -- could live out their lives with some dignity and respect, Smith says.
"These animals don't make good pets. They get really big. They eat a lot," Smith says. "They are wild animals."
The sanctuary has a long list of projects, Smith says. Some are one-time projects, but many projects are ongoing, such as doing away with the small, old cages and building newer, larger habitats.
Smith says the animals are thriving in the larger spaces. In the wild, eight to 12 years is a long life. The sanctuary has more than 60 tigers that are at least 17 years old, Smith says.
"We have a very old population because we are giving them such great care. Their life expectancy is double what they would have in the wild," Smith says.
The sanctuary relies on donations to pay for its projects. Dirt work is underway on the most recent fully funded project -- a veterinary hospital. Donations are still needed, though, to pay for the equipment.
"We need $154,000 and we've raised about $50,000," Smith says.
Donations can be made to the general fund or to specific projects.
Discount passes to the refuge will be available Sunday, Smith says.
NAN What's Up on 07/31/2015