A complex rescue a year in the making of animals from Canada to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs was completed early this month.
Tanya Smith, founder and president of the refuge, tells Ozarks First that the rescue of six African lions and two cubs, from a facility in Quebec to a temporary home in Ontario then eventually to the United States to the Ozarks. Smith said the facility in Quebec was not in good condition and though the Ontario facility was good, it was only temporary before transportation was available to get them to Arkansas.
In addition, the original rescue was for four lions however one of animals had two cubs which caused a delay due to the attempts amend the permit of transporting the animals to this country during the government shutdown. Smith credits the efforts of Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack, Senator John Boozman, and the Arkansas Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to get through the process of moving the animals.
The lions brought to Turpentine Creek include 3-year-olds Mufasa, Scar, and Nirvana; Thor, a 7-year-old rare white lion; and two 13-week-old cubs
The full interview with Tanya Smith can be found on the Ozarks First Website.
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