On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) will host a public premiere of “Uncharted,” a locally produced documentary film that follows the journey of three tiger cubs. Prior to their birth, The Department of Justice asked the Eureka Springs based big cat refuge for immediate assistance to help rescue 68 animals from the Tiger King Park. Upon arrival, TCWR staff suspected one of the females could be pregnant. Their caregivers' main goal was to have the mother raise the cubs on her own and the triplet birth was a success.

However, soon after they were born, the animal care staff realized something was wrong. This documentary follows the journey of a rescued mother tiger, her cubs, and the hard-working people that dedicate their lives to giving animals a second chance at life. The film officially documents, for the first time in history, the treatment and rehabilitation of tiger cubs with Flexural Tendon Contracture. 

The 30 minute documentary film first premiered in March 2022 during Rogers Short Film Festival at the Historic Victory Theater, a film festival presented by StudioChunky in partnership with Arkansas Public Theatre in Downtown Rogers. The first public premier of “Uncharted” is set for 6:00 p.m. CDT, Wednesday, July 13, 2022 via ZOOM. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge will host a public premiere of the documentary followed by a live question and answer session. A $15 donation toward the mission is requested and tickets may be reserved at online.

In May of 2021, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge assisted the Department of Justice in the confiscation of the remaining big cats at the Tiger King Park in Thackerville, Oklahoma from Jeff and Lauren Lowe. Of the sixty-eight big cats involved in the rescue, ten were brought back to Turpentine Creek’s sanctuary near Eureka Springs, AR. Two weeks after their arrival, Priscilla, a six-year-old tiger, gave birth to three cubs. The main goal was to allow Priscilla to raise her cubs on her own following American Zoological Association (AZA) guidelines. As a non-breeding true sanctuary this was new territory for the refuge. It was amazing when Priscilla proved to be an excellent mother from the very beginning. However, within days of their birth, the Animal Care Staff noticed that something was wrong. The cubs were unable to walk with their hind legs.

The documentary, Uncharted, follows the journey of Priscilla and her cubs A public premiere is planned for July 13 at 7 PM eastern/6 PM central/5 PM mountain/4 PM pacific time. The ticket costs a minimum of a $15 donation towards Turpentine Creek’s mission. There will be a live Q&A with the President, Tanya Smith, Animal Curator, Emily McCormack, and Head Veterinarian, Dr. Kellyn Sweeley following the film. The film is just under 30 minutes long. The premiere will be via Zoom to share the footage and answer questions. Tickets can be purchased at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge website: tcwr.org/uncharted where you can also watch a trailer from the documentary.

This is a documentary you do not want to miss! Winner of the Spotlight Award in the “A Show for a Change” film festival in April of 2022, this is an inside view of the hard-working people that dedicate their lives to giving animals a second chance at life.

About Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Founded in 1992, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and rescue operation protecting survivors of the exotic animal trade. The 450-acre refuge, located 7 miles south of Eureka Springs, is also an ethical animal tourism destination and a “Top Three” family friendly attraction in Northwest Arkansas. The organization does not buy, sell, trade, loan out or breed their animals, and they do not offer cub petting or harmful pay-for-play opportunities. They are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, a member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, and licensed by the USDA and Arkansas Game and Fish. Their mission is to provide lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused, and neglected "Big Cats" with emphasis on Tigers, Lions, Leopards, and Cougars.

CLICK HERE to see a preview and purchase tickets.