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My husband and I were several miles south of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, checking on some timber property I had inherited. Suddenly, I heard something that stopped me in my tracks and sent shivers down my spine.

“What is that? It sounded like a lion or tiger roaring—but there’s not supposed to be any of those in the Ozark mountains!”

“It’s probably that Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge we passed just down the road.”

“Really? I was busy watching for our turnoff and didn’t notice.”

“Yeah, the sign in front states they rescue big cats. I’ve heard they’re called to help with rescues throughout the United States.”

The vocalizations and roars repeated several more times, echoing across the hills. I was grateful each time that it wasn’t from wild animals free in the woods around us.

As we drove back to Eureka Springs that evening, we pulled into the parking lot of Turpentine Creek to learn more. Later I arranged to have one of the animal-care staff take us around because I wanted to take pictures up close to some of their big cats.

Turpentine Creek often receives animals in poor condition, but the veterinary doctor and volunteers patiently nurse the animals back to health. The staff designs play areas and activities to keep their cats happy and healthy. Numerous businesses and individuals volunteer to help and to fund this large operation. When we were there about twenty years ago, they had just completed some family accommodations for overnight stays to enable people to experience hearing the big cats’ vocalizations up close.

They had also completed a large enclosure of half an acre or more that allowed the staff to release a big cat for exercise and socialization with others of like kind. I was determined to get some good photos, especially of tigers, so I was excited when our guide gradually let three beautiful tigers loose into the large enclosure. Now there was only 1 fence between us and the tigers, so I could get close to the wiring and take photographs without a wire showing.

I was mesmerized by these beautiful majestic tigers. Their orange coat with dark stripes is unique to each, just as our fingerprints are to humans. Their stripes are even on their skin—not just their fur. I was intrigued by their ears. Within that black color on the back of each ear was a white spot—almost like eyes in the back of their head. Depending upon the variety, the adult tiger can be 6-13 feet long (nose to tail) and weigh 220-660 pounds. They are impressive. Not something I would want to encounter without a fence between us. Up close, I immediately realized they were definitely larger than I remembered. Somehow visits to the zoos and circuses didn’t properly impress me with how large and muscular these magnificent cats could be. 

Monty and I were busy taking pictures of the tigers as they rolled and played like little kittens in the grass. We were fascinated when they raised up on their hind legs to spar, almost as if they were boxing. Then I noticed one dropped back into the grass about 20-30 feet in front of us and left the other two to their sparring. This particular tiger was very still and seemed to be carefully studying us. She crouched really still in the grass, almost as if hiding. I was thrilled. 

Good! She’s still. I’ll be able to focus my telephoto without getting a blur from all the movement since they prefer staying in the thick shade of those large trees. 

I was leaning into the fence—totally absorbed—glued to my viewfinder and trying to get the perfect picture. There can be a danger in being so preoccupied. My brain didn’t register that the tiger was preparing to pounce. It wasn’t until my viewfinder showed my tiger rising into the air toward me that I screamed and jumped back—just as she landed practically at my feet. I could have reached out and touched her, except she was on the other side of the fence from me. She sat there looking very pleased with herself. It was like she was smirking as she nodded her head up and down at me.

As my heart slowed down and I regained my composure, I realized my companions were having a good laugh at my expense. They were not lost in the moment, so both observed what was coming and stepped aside to watch.

“You have to watch that one,” remarked our guide. “She loves to play that game of surprise with new people to see what reaction she will get.”

This tiger physically followed me as I moved to different locations around the outdoor pen, and her eyes were always watching for another opportunity to surprise me—but now, I was onto her trick.

This all took place about twenty years ago when Turpentine Creek was still new. In 2023 it has become one of the largest big-cat sanctuaries in the United States with around 100 or more animals on a little under 500 acres. As I have thought back to the brief terror of thinking the tiger was pouncing on me—only to have her land on her side of the fence. It was almost like a tiger on a leash, just wanting to watch my reaction if she could surprise or scare me. She seemed to enjoy her sport. I wonder if people sometimes don’t play that same game with us.

Although Satan usually uses subtle deception to entice us onto the wrong path, even he may sometimes use this false fear attack to cause us to respond out of fear and emotion instead of logic. He was defeated at the Cross. So, if you’re a child of God, Satan is on a leash similar to the tiger. He can come close, but there is a barrier. Yes, he can certainly roar and pounce to watch what we’ll do in our emotional and terrified response. I felt silly for jumping back in fear that day in Arkansas, but I momentarily forgot I was protected. I hope you’re doing better in your responses.