Wild Animal Sanctuary
Our neighbor Joe has raved about The Wild Animal Sanctuary - for five years - since we moved to Colorado! We decided it was about time to check it out. At just under an hour of travel time to the facility from our home in Northglenn, and with a high temperature of 57 degrees expected for the day, this made for a great ride on our motorcycles.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary specializes in rescuing Large Carnivores - as those are the species that face euthanization more than any other exotic animal - due to the high cost of feeding them... and the extreme danger associated with caring for them. It is the largest such facility of it's kind in the United States.
Founded in 1980, the animal habitat operation is different in some significant ways from traditional zoos and wild animal parks. EVERY animal on the grounds has been rescued from an abusive situation. Now a public non-profit on 730 developed acres, the facility operates solely from the sponsorship of an incredible number of Colorado businesses and individuals, as well as the admission contributions of guests who visit the grounds. All viewings of the animals is done from elevated walkway systems. This unique setup insulates the animals from the common pressure and/or threat that animals feel from humans standing at eye level, staring in at them. They do not perceive the air/sky as a part of their territory, so this ingenious way of viewing the animals is most respectful of them. When the animals do feel pressure from human presence they are free to put distance between themselves and observers since they are in huge enclosures. Elevation also allows a better view of the animals in many cases as well as an appreciation for the expansive areas they live in.
We were deeply impressed by this amazing effort of animal protection. Check out the image captions for interesting, albeit disturbing, descriptions of some of the awful living situations that many of the animals endured before their rescue. A truly remarkable facility, with a remaining 400 acres under development.
Read MoreThe Wild Animal Sanctuary specializes in rescuing Large Carnivores - as those are the species that face euthanization more than any other exotic animal - due to the high cost of feeding them... and the extreme danger associated with caring for them. It is the largest such facility of it's kind in the United States.
Founded in 1980, the animal habitat operation is different in some significant ways from traditional zoos and wild animal parks. EVERY animal on the grounds has been rescued from an abusive situation. Now a public non-profit on 730 developed acres, the facility operates solely from the sponsorship of an incredible number of Colorado businesses and individuals, as well as the admission contributions of guests who visit the grounds. All viewings of the animals is done from elevated walkway systems. This unique setup insulates the animals from the common pressure and/or threat that animals feel from humans standing at eye level, staring in at them. They do not perceive the air/sky as a part of their territory, so this ingenious way of viewing the animals is most respectful of them. When the animals do feel pressure from human presence they are free to put distance between themselves and observers since they are in huge enclosures. Elevation also allows a better view of the animals in many cases as well as an appreciation for the expansive areas they live in.
We were deeply impressed by this amazing effort of animal protection. Check out the image captions for interesting, albeit disturbing, descriptions of some of the awful living situations that many of the animals endured before their rescue. A truly remarkable facility, with a remaining 400 acres under development.
One of the sanctuary's Bobcats was rescued from a woman that was hoarding animals. There were carcasses of road kill littering the property that the woman used to feed the animals. Although the males have been neutered the two cats on the ground of this enclosure appeared to be having some fun together!
The Wild Animal SanctuaryExecutive Director Pat CraigKeenesburgColoradoCaptive Widlife Education ProgramCaptive Widlife Crisis
