Wild Animal Rescuer - Tanya Jackson Smith

November 1, 2009 | Eureka Springs, Arkansas | Vetting explained

Posted by:
BarbRad

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Last updated: November 1, 2009

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On Halloween afternoon and evening, I visited Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge where over 115 "big cats" live happy lives after being rescued by the woman being interviewed on this video.

Tanya Jackson Smith has spent her life with lions and tigers. In 1992, she and her family sold EVERYTHING they had to buy a tract of land in Northwest Arkansas that could be used as a refuge for lions, tigers, cougars and other big cats that had been adopted when they were "cute kittens" only to be discarded when they became unruly adults. Now, other wild aimals like bears also make Turpentine Creek their home.

Without people like Smith, many beautiful, wild animals would be put to death.

This is the complete interview with Tanya Jackson Smith and her husband, people who are real-life heroes.

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Offbeat images

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