After traveling more than 2,800 miles, the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) rescue team has safely returned to the Refuge with seven rescued tigers in tow. The team departed Pahrump, Nevada late Wednesday afternoon and encountered snow around 10:00 PM that evening. Despite the elements, the group pressed on and arrived at TCWR around 9:00 AM Central on Friday, April 4, just as thunderstorms rolled through the area.
The tigers, rescued and relocated under TCWR’s Witness Protection Program, traveled well. Trailers containing the cats were carefully staged near their new den areas while the team waited for a break in the weather to begin unloading.
Unloading big cats is a methodical process: each transport crate is securely attached to the den area of their habitat, and the cat is given the choice to step out when ready. Meat may be offered as an enticement, but there is no pressure—their comfort and safety come first. With seven cats to transition and storms active in the area, the process took time, but by 6:15 PM Friday evening, all seven tigers were successfully and peacefully transitioned into their den spaces.
The cats will remain in the den areas temporarily as TCWR’s expert animal care team conducts initial health assessments and bloodwork analysis in the coming days.
This rescue was made possible thanks to collaboration across multiple organizations and authorities. As shared in a statement from the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance (BCSA):
"We want to share news of a recent rescue with BCSA Member, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. … Nye County, Nevada authorities … reached out to the Wildlife Confiscations Network (WCN) and the USFWS to find placement for the animals. The WCN and USFWS recommended reaching out to the BCSA to find a suitable sanctuary for the tigers."
"Nye County asked for BCSA to recommend a sanctuary that could be onsite for the seizure to immobilize and transport up to 12 big cats at once, and to keep them all together during the pending case. Given all the parameters set forth by Nye County, the BCSA recommended Turpentine Creek, since they have experience in cases like this but most importantly, had open permanent habitats for all the cats to immediately be released into."
"We are incredibly proud of Turpentine Creek for stepping up and helping when needed. I am also very proud that the BCSA is being recognized by authorities throughout the country as a leader in the exotic rescue world. That recognition is not only important in being the go-to organization for rescues but gives us credibility when working on legislation for the protection of wild cats."
Tanya Smith also responded, “Thank you for helping us save these seven tigers. With the collaboration of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance, we can save Big and Small Exotic Cats in need worldwide.”
For more information, visit www.turpentinecreek.org or contact us at (479) 253-5841.
