This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care.
I am here, alive and all around you
I have no voice
In your trees, your air, your fields, your oceans, your world
I have no voice
I am a mother, a father, a protector, a soul
I have no voice
I can walk, crawl, sing, fear
I have no voice
You must be my voice
Rescue Me - The Wild Animal Sanctuary - Keenesburg, CO
The website is here
You can donate here
Online store here
Wish list here
History
Observation DeckThe Wild Animal Sanctuary is the oldest and largest nonprofit Sanctuary in the US dedicated exclusively to rescuing captive exotic and endangered large carnivores, providing them with a wonderful life for as long as they live, and educating about the tragic plight faced by an estimated 30,000 such animals in America today.
Established by Executive Director Pat Craig in 1980, Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center, DBA The Wild Animal Sanctuary, is a state and federally licensed zoological facility and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Originally started on Pat’s family farm outside Boulder, CO, TWAS soon moved to Lyons, CO, where there was more room for the animals, and to provide for future expansion. After eight years in that location, TWAS was forced to move again due to a limestone quarry moving in nearby. The Sanctuary currently sits on 720 acres 50 miles east of Boulder. There is plenty of space for the animals’ 21 large acreage habitats, along with room to grow while still maintaining large grassland buffers.
TWAS is now located near Keenesburg, Colorado, and we are open for visitors year round, daily, 9am-4pm, except major Holidays and bad weather. During summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, we extend our hours from 9am – sunset.
The Sanctuary is located on rural, rolling grasslands northeast of the Denver Metro area. Comprising 720 acres and sheltering more than 290 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Leopards, Mountain Lions, Wolves and other large carnivores, it is the first sanctuary of its kind to create large acreage species-specific habitats for its rescued animals.
Since January, 1980, The Wild Animal Sanctuary has responded to nearly 1,000 requests from private citizens and government agencies to rescue animals from across the United States and in Mexico. Our furry residents were abused, abandoned, illegally kept, or were victims of other terrible situations.
At TWAS, the animals come first! Providing expert care and rehabilitation, exceptional diets and enrichment, and large spaces in which to roam make life for our rescued animals the kind of life they would have if they could choose it.
Education about the Captive Wildlife Crisis…its causes and solutions…is critical to changing social consciousness today, in order to provide a better future for captive wild animals. TWAS welcomes visitors, school groups and organizations to our Education Center at the Sanctuary, and also has a Speakers Bureau whose members do presentations for a variety of businesses, universities and other organizations.
A shocking statistic about America’s Captive Wildlife Crisis…the illicit exotic animal trade is the third largest source of illegal profits in the world today, just after illegal drugs and weapons! In the U.S. alone, there are an estimated 30,000 captive large carnivores living outside the zoo system. There are 4,000 Tigers living as “pets” in private homes in just the state of Texas – more Tigers than exist in the wild throughout the world. Countless other Great Cats, Bears, Wolves and other large carnivores live in abusive conditions in roadside stands, circuses, magic acts, traveling shows, and other substandard situations. Untold numbers of animals suffer and die each year due to neglect, abuse or because they are abandoned and left to die, starving and alone.
Public Safety is also a serious issue. Every year, people get hurt or killed by captive wild animals that have not been properly housed, or because the people were allowed to be in unsafe situations by the animals’ owners or keepers. TWAS is called upon by local, state and national law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety in situations where the public and/or animals are at risk.
The three main points of our mission…to rescue captive large carnivores who have been abused, abandoned, illegally kept or exploited…to create for them a wonderful life for as long as they live…and to educate about the causes and solutions to the Captive Wildlife Crisis…these things are what we commit to for the animals, and for the humans who help to make a positive difference for them.
Masai
Masai was born and raised in Hollywood for the film industry, but he refused to "act" for his trainers - so they looked for a place to dump him. The Sanctuary rescued him, and he now lives in one of the Sanctuary's large acreage habitats as King of the Lion Pride.
Gala
Gala was born nearly dead in a tiny steel circus cage in Mexico. Her parents had been living in the 5X7 cage for years and would give birth to cubs repeatedly - only to have them die from the lack of care and nutrition. Gala was rescued the day she was born, so she now has a real chance at life, living freely at The Sanctuary.
Truck Stop Tigers
Kept in cages out by the gas pumps as a "gimmick" to help draw in customers... these tigers were rescued after the USDA helped secure their release. They no longer have to breathe exhaust fumes or lay in diesel fuel, and now romp and play freely in wide open habitats at The Wild Animal Sanctuary.
What is a Sanctuary
A Sanctuary is a place where animals can come to live and be protected or the rest of their lives. It’s a safe haven, where they receive the very best care possible.
Animals are not bought, sold, traded, or mistreated in any way. They are given every opportunity to behave naturally in a wonderfully loving environment.
At our Sanctuary, we always put the animal’s best interests in front of our own - and always remember they are the reason why we are here.
Building and operating a Sanctuary isn’t easy - nor is it cheap. However, in order to give the animals the very best environment possible, we have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal!
The picture to the left shows Brighton Crane Service lifting one of four 50-ton concrete “dens” off of a Cast Transportation Company truck. Hydro Conduit Company made these enormous dens - which measured 8’X50’ each - to be buried underground. All three companies donated their time, materials, equipment, and talent to this project, as they all are very dedicated Sanctuary sponsors.
These cooperative relationships, with their generous “in-kind” donations, help our non-profit organization immensely… since they allow us to complete projects that would have otherwise cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars.
All of these incredible gifts and dedicated efforts are being done for the benefit of animals… and all that hard work translates into one thing…
A sanctuary where you can you find tigers swimming in a lake, or lying beneath a tree in one of many 20-acre habitats...
A sanctuary where you can you find prides of African Lions surveying their territory amongst the tall grass of their 20-acre habitats...
A sanctuary where you can find Grizzly & Black Bears living in multiple 10-25 acre habitats with ponds, trees and their own natural dens to hibernate in...
A sanctuary where you can find wolves able to run free in one of many 5-acre habitats...
There are many places around the country that call themselves “a sanctuary”, but there is really only one way to truly tell how good the facility is… by looking at the animals to see if they are really happy and in good physical condition!
Therefore, we always encourage people to visit a facility in person - that way you can see if the animals are well-fed… and if they are as happy and playful as they should be, when they are in a safe and loving place!
And that’s why we allow visitors to our sanctuary - as we want people to actually see the life we provide our animals!