If you’ve never visited before, this could be the perfect time!
About an hour’s drive northwest of Denver is the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center, which operates as “The Wild Animal Sanctuary.” This non-profit organization provides a very special service for exotic animals who have suffered neglect, abuse and often horrific conditions under private or even illegal ownership. The Sanctuary works closely with state and even federal agencies when a situation occurs where an animal needs to be rescued; they have brought in animals from around the U.S.
Currently over 150 animals live at the Sanctuary in Keenesburg, CO, including tigers, lynx, lions, bears, jaguars, mountain lions, wolves and leopards! Most of the animals are available for public viewing. I have had the pleasure of visiting and can attest to its unique approach. Guests can literally walk among the animals via elevated ‘cat-walks’ – there is nothing quite like hearing deep rumblings coming from a pair of content black jaguars just 20 feet below you on the walk. Throughout the exhibits, posters and signs help illuminate the circumstances surrounding each rescue. As guests admire these graceful creatures, they can read about their former lives, including being imprisoned in dark concrete cages, garages, and even a horse trailer! The Sanctuary's efforts have been even seen on Animal Planet; click
here for video footage from the Sanctuary's website. It is clear to see that the Sanctuary is fulfilling a very important role in rescuing these exotic animals, and very few places like this Sanctuary even exist.
Recently, the Wild Animal Sanctuary was able to secure additional bordering land, thanks to donations from the public.
Wild NightsTo encourage visitors this summer, the Wild Animal Sanctuary will be open daily until sunset from June through September.
Coming up on June 14 is the ‘Summer Safari’ Annual Fundraiser; get ready to join in the fun! From 6 to 10 pm, you’ll enjoy music, a barbeque including beer and wine. Corporate sponsorships are also available. The deadline to register is June 6.
The form to register as well as much more terrific information can be found in the Wild Animal Sanctuary’s
Summer Newsletter.
How You Can HelpCome and visit to see for yourself the great work being done by the folks at the Sanctuary. Donations are always accepted, and are especially needed since the operations are entirely run by volunteers. Most of the animals can be sponsored for a monthly fee.
And, when you come and visit, consider bringing some needed supplies, including food items! Feeding these animals requires literally tons of food a week -- 5,000 pounds a week for the bears alone. Bagged / boxed foods including baked goods, fruits, vegetables, cottage cheese, dog food, meats, yogurt and even pizza are welcomed. If you are able to help arrange for a regular food donation, please contact the Sanctuary directly at (303) 536-0118.
For more information, check out the website by clicking here
here. Visiting the Wild Animal Sanctuary could become a regular summer treat!
Story and Photo by Rita Sharma, Best Friends Network, Volunteer News Writer