Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, located 7 miles south of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, on Scenic Highway 23, will have a public Grand Opening ceremony Friday, July 4th, for two bear habitats and two cat habitats, which will house four black bears, three tigers, and one lioness.

The USDA licensed facility is dedicated to the rescue and care of exotic Big Cats, with a total of 122 Big Cats under their care at the present time. These new natural enclosures are the latest in a series of planned habitat areas and will bring the total of Big Cats housed in them to 70, over half of the total population of the exotic cats living at Turpentine Creek.

Each habitat will be shared on alternate days between the animals. For the big release day, tigers Hercules and Heather, and two of the four black bears will step onto the grass for the first time in their lives. Everyone is invited to come and watch this exciting event for the animals and staff and Turpentine Creek, and to stay for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display at the Refuge which will begin at dusk.

All day admission to the refuge, which opens at 9:00 a.m., includes attendance at the Grand Opening events. Prices are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children 4-12, veterans, and senior citizens 65 and older (children three and under are admitted free)

The Grand Opening celebration begins at 3:00 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk.

For additional information, please call 479 253-5841. www.turpentinecreek.org