December 2009

Tiger Creek Expands Captive Habitat While The Wild Tiger Population Declined 40% Over Past 10 Years…

It’s been a difficult and challenging goal, that of expanding the much needed space for captive tigers; especially during the Great Recession.  But that hasn’t stopped Brian & Terri Werner in meeting their promises made to the Great Cats at Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge.

Over a decade ago the Werner’s promised larger more sustainable habitats for the 40 plus resident big cats at the refuge.  And silently in the Piney Woods of North East Texas they’ve been doing just that.  It’s a long and expensive process, first setting in the excavation work, then the perimeter fencing with infrastructure to follow.  Over 1-mile of 2 inch water main alone was needed, along with moving tons of dirt to stabilize the natural water sheds and maximize land use for the future.

Thus far, close to $500,000 dollars was put towards the new 7-acres of development.  The ultimate goal in mind is both simple and complex, especially during a recession.  Those goals, to provide the best living environment attainable for captive tigers to include security, food, enrichment, & medical care, with extensive habitat dimension and education that is both entertaining for the tigers and people visiting the facility.

“We’ve completed 3 of the enclosures with the 4th expected to be complete in early 2010, just in time to celebrate our 15th anniversary year.  In the end we expect to have a total of 10 of these sections which equates to at least 20 enclosures.”  Said Brian Werner, Executive Director of Tiger Creek.

“These new enclosures are larger than our current exercise yards and larger than what some zoos keep their tigers in.”  Says Terri Werner, Director of Operations for the refuge.

While the area is not on public exhibit at this time they are providing VIP Tours to the donors that make direct and significant gifts towards the development.  And they are providing a sneak preview of the development here online at www.tigercreek.org/ tc_news_sd.html

After completion, the guided tours will be available to the new area. Tiger Creek’s visitors will see the big cats in an entirely different setting; one that offers visitors a more naturalistic view of the big cats and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the habitat of the tigers, lions, cougars and leopards. The cats have large logs to scratch on, platforms to lay and play on and a large rock house to cool off in. Later, water features will be added.

"The improvements aim to recreate the experience of finding a big cat in the wild, while making the habitats more pleasant for the animals allowing easier daily management of the big cats. We will no longer have to rotate cats into exercise yards, these will be their permanent home and play area”. said Terri Werner, Director of Operations.

"The new habitats incorporated with natural materials let visitors have a unique and dynamic experience each time they come out." Says Brian Werner

New educational tools such as keeper stations and a Tiger Discover Center have been planned to provide additional teaching opportunities for all guest.  The ultimate plan is to create a model facility for others to duplicate.

Tiger Missing Link Foundation contact:
Brian Werner
Executive Director
Tiger Missing Link Foundation (TMLF)
Office: (903) 858-1008
Fax: (903) 858-0119
Email: tiger1@tigerlink.org
On the web: www.tigerlink.org

Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge contact:
Terri Werner
Park Director
Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge
Tyler, Texas 75706
Office: (903) 858-1008
Email: tigress1@tigerlink.org
On the web: www.tigercreek.org

For all BIG CAT RESCUES Please Contact: Brian Werner (903) 216-2072, Email: tiger1@tigerlink.org -Nationwide Services Available.