Tanya Smith

On a rainy, chilly afternoon a few weeks ago, Tanya Smith tried to explain why she has dedicated herself so completely to the rescued animals at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.

That dedication became easier to understand during a driving tour around the refuge. She talked about the stages of growth over the last 16 years, from bare necessities to large grassy compounds.

Tanya became increasingly animated as she recounted the early struggles, and the eventual successes. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke of lions, tigers, and bears who have found a home at Turpentine Creek.

It all comes down to caring for creatures mistreated by others. They can't save them all--Turpentine Creek had to turn away 100 big cats last year--but on this day, they had just released another tiger into a grassy habitat. The successes sometimes seem small, compared to the scale of the problems, but at Turpentine Creek, they have learned to do what they can with what they have.

"My mom still works here, and she helps us remember that the animals are the most important thing," Tanya said. "She has always reminded us to focus on the most important needs, to save them, keep them fed, and keep the cages clean."

Anything past that is a luxury, and luxuries have come slowly for the animals. The refuge began at the end of 1991with 42 lions and tigers in three cattle trailers, and just meeting their basic needs was a monumental task.

It took "one miracle after another," Tanya said.

With her parents and her brother, she had moved to Eureka Springs with a mission in mind. They had vacationed here frequently.

"It was a struggle at first," she admitted. "People were a little skeptical, but they have warmed up to us."

Tanya and her husband Scott have been married 13 years. Scott handles the photography, the website, and more. "He's an amazing guy," she said. They have four children between them, and they're raising a young nephew.

Her 16-year-old daughter Miranda inherited mom's height, and she plays basketball at Eureka Springs High School. She also seems inclined to follow mom's career choice at the refuge.

The "extended family" at Turpentine Creek includes a number of interns, students who hope to eventually work as zookeepers or veterinarians. Tanya said a great majority of their interns are women, and that same gender divide is showing up in veterinary schools. "There are some pretty amazing women around here!" she observed.

The interns receive a modest food stipend and a space in the bunkhouse. Some of them stay on at the refuge after completing their internship.

Tanya doesn't like to take time away from the job at hand, but she pursues an active role in promoting tourism in the area. Turpentine Creek was just named as the Chamber's Business Member of the Year. The refuge is currently nominated for a statewide tourism award for achieving success "on a shoestring."

The website, turpentinecreek.org, has some great pictures and much more information about the refuge, including the beautiful new Safari cabins and other unique lodging opportunities.