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Animal Sanctuaries
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Contents
What is a Sanctuary? ............................................................................................................................... 3
Captive Wildlife Crisis .............................................................................................................................. 3
Animal Care Program............................................................................................................................... 3
The Wild Animal Sanctuary ...................................................................................................................... 4
Current Programs ................................................................................................................................ 4
Education is the Key to Change................................................................................................................ 4
Works Cited............................................................................................................................................. 5
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What is a Sanctuary? Commented [ES1]: Change all headings that use Heading
4 style to Heading 1 style and all Heading 5 style to Heading
A sanctuary is a place where animals live and are protected for the rest of their lives. After drugs 2 style.
and weapons, the exotic animal trade is the third largest source of illegal profit in the Americas Commented [KP2R1]: I have made the style changes.
and the world today (Travera, Will CEO Born Free Foundation). In a sanctuary, animals are not
bought, sold, or mistreated. They are provided with a setting where they can live naturally in an
environment as close to their natural habitat as possible.
Captive Wildlife Crisis

Although a baby exotic animal might be cute and playful, they grow to become very large,
hungry, and often unmanageable as adults. In the U.S. alone there are approximately 30,000
large carnivores living outside the zoo system (Vandergrift, Katie). Many large carnivores, like
tigers, bears, and wolves, are used as pets or for theatrical performances. Often they live in
roadside stands, Vegas acts, circuses, basements, garages, magic shows, and other entertainment
or private endeavors.1 These animals are often neglected and once they are full grown can exhibit
behavioral issues–related to their constant confinement–that can be unsafe and jeopardize public
safety. Within a country as well as from country to country, there are few regulations for humane
treatment of these animals, their breeding, and requirements for licensing.
Figure 1: Tiger Cubs Figure 2: Brown Bear with Cubs
Animal Care Program

In a sanctuary, the goal is to get animals to interact with their own kind. This starts with a natural
habitat to which they are gradually introduced. In many cases the animals have to be taught to
trust humans again. The habitat can include trees, prairies, lakes, underground dens, play
structures, and toys. A diet is established that mirrors that of their real environment. This means
that the animals are not fed every day at the same time. They are fed on a random schedule, like
they would be if hunting for their own food. Sanctuaries do not take road kill or hunters’
discards. They feed high quality USDA-inspected meats mixed with vitamins and nutrients.
Additionally, veterinary care is exceptional in these environments. Each animal is checked upon
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Exotic pet trade is a $15 billion dollar business in the U.S. alone.
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arrival and neutered–as there is no breeding in sanctuaries. This care may vary slightly form
establishment to establishment but in general sanctuaries are concerned with the welfare of the
animal–the animal come first.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a state and federal licensed facility established in 1980 and
located outside of Keenesburg, Colorado, 30 miles northeast of Denver. This nonprofit facility
houses over 350 large carnivores on 720 acres. It is the largest of its kind and the oldest in the
United States. It is the home for tigers, lions, bears, leopards, wolves, bobcats, foxes, camels,
emu, horses, and rescued dogs and cats. Of the 70 sanctuaries in the U.S., only twelve take in
large carnivores (The Wild Animal Sanctuary).
Figure 4: Fox
Figure 3: Wolf
Current Programs
The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) has large centralized animal houses within the
rehabilitation area. These areas allow for temperature and food control along with the ability
watch the animals and remove one that is ill or adjusting poorly. TWAS is known for its feature
called the “Mile Into The Wild” Walkway. This is actually a system of elevated walkways that
enable visitors, sponsors, and donors the ability to see the rescued animals in their natural
environments without being placed in danger.
Education is the Key to Change

The main way to stop the suffering of large carnivores in captivity is to educate the public on
their deplorable conditions using posters and videos. Additionally, information on sanctuaries
like the Wild Animal Sanctuary, helps to heighten the visibility of the alternatives available for
these animals.
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Works Cited
Travera, Will CEO Born Free Foundation. Born Free. n.d. 22 May 2016.
Vandergrift, Katie. The Wild Animal Sanctuary. n.d. 22 April 2016.
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C
S
carnivores, 3, 4
sanctuary, 3
E
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Education, 2, 4
The Wild Animal Sanctuary, 2, 4, 6, See TWAS

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Animal Sanctuaries

Captive Wildlife Crisis

Figure 1: Tiger Cubs Figure 2: Brown Bear with Cubs

Animal Care Program

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Education is the Key to Change

Vandergrift, Katie. The Wild Animal Sanctuary. n.d. 22 April 2016.

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