Call of the Wild – Colorado Style

Nested on the eastern plains of Colorado, less than an hour’s drive from Denver, is a special rescue organization like no other. The Wild Animal Sanctuary houses lions, leopards, tigers, bears, wolves, and even a pair of African Porcupines, among other animals. The sprawling 720-acre reserve acts as a permanent home for nearly 300 carnivores that have been rescued from a variety of places in the United States and abroad. The Wild Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1980 as a state and federally licensed zoological facility and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by executive director Pat Craig. Since its inception, the sanctuary has responded to upwards of 1,000 rescue requests from the U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; local, state, national, and international law enforcement agencies; and even private citizens. Although there are approximately 70 accredited sanctuaries in the United States, only 15 of those facilities house big cats or bears.

To get to the Keenesburg, Colorado compound, one travels through small rural towns and down long country roads that seem to lead to nowhere. Down a windy side road one notices the “Mile into the Wild” raised walkway jetting into the air. Upon entering the facility’s gift shop, visitors receive a brief overview of the sanctuary. A free audio tour for each area in which animals are housed, narrated by Pat Craig, provides greater insight into the background of the animals and the habitat in which they currently live. Once on the walkway, the Wild Animal Sanctuary offers outstanding views of the distant Rocky Mountains. Looking down below, visitors receive unobstructed views of the animals in natural habitats as they lounge, sleep, play, and eat.

Each of these animals has a heart-wrenching story about their time in captivity, the conditions in which they lived, and how they were rescued. Working in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, four African Lions (Zoya, Zinna, Leo, and Leon) and four black bears were recently rescued from Zanesville, Ohio. They had been originally owned by Terry Thompson, who released more than 50 captive exotic animals into the streets of Zanesville before killing himself in 2011. While some animals are rescued from private homes, others are saved from fly-by-night circus acts or other entertainment organizations where the animals are mistreated, abused, or worse.

In order to keep The Wild Animal Sanctuary operating, the facility relies heavily on donations. It costs the sanctuary an estimated $500,000 annually to feed the animals, which consists of a variety of top-quality meats, vitamins, and other nutrients. In addition to meat, the bears also receive fruit, vegetables, and hotel and cafeteria food (Donuts are a most welcome treat!). The sanctuary spends an additional $100,000 annually for transportation and cold storage. Most of the animals’ health care needs are taken care of by the on-site veterinary hospital; however, for more complicated procedures animals may need to be sedated and transported to Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which is about 1 ½ hours away from the sanctuary. Since the sanctuary does not support breeding, male animals are neutered (Male African lions would lose their manes if neutered, therefore female African lions receive birth control implants.) Most of these operations are done on site shortly after the animals arrive at the facility.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary offers the Captive Wildlife Education Program to help educate others about the global crisis of keeping captive wild animals as pets and the inhumane conditions in which they live, as well as killing them and using their skin in the fur trade. The sanctuary’s Education Center offers posters, videos, and other information about the rescued animals, the facility, and the Captive Wildlife Crisis. The Wild Animal Sanctuary receives 100,000 visitors each year and offers group tours to students, Scout troops, organizations, and businesses. Group tours must be scheduled in advance by contacting the sanctuary. In addition to offering on-site educational programs, the Sanctuary Speakers Bureau presents to businesses, service clubs, organizations, universities, and participates in town fairs and public gatherings along the Front Range of Colorado. For more information, visit the Wild Animal Sanctuary's website or call 303.536.0118.

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