Hobbies And Interests
History and Location
Rocky Mountain Conservation Center was established in 1980 by Pat Craig, executive director of the facility. The original sanctuary was on the Craig family farm outside Boulder; it moved to Lyon to expand. The sanctuary moved to its present location in 1988 and changed its name to the Wild Animal Sanctuary. The 720-acre facility is open to visitors daily, year-round.
Exotic Animal Trade
An estimated 30,000 large carnivores such as big cats, wolves and bears are part of the illegal wild animal trade in the United States. Only the drug and weapons trades are more lucrative. According to the American Humane Society, 10,000 to 15,000 big cats are in private hands outside the zoo system. These animals are kept strictly for show and are often kept in cramped, substandard conditions. The Wild Animal Sanctuary rescues these animals and provides lifelong homes for them.
Large Carnivores
Wild Animal Sanctuary is designed to house and care for large carnivores. It is one of only 15 sanctuaries in the United States accredited to do so. Individual habitats are built to accommodate various species in the sanctuary, including three tiger and wolf habitats, two habitats for black bears, and one for African lions. At time of publication, the sanctuary has 290 animals, including lions (both African and North American), tigers, wolves, bears and leopards.
Current Projects
Wild Animal Sanctuary focuses on rescue and care of carnivorous animals in distress as well as educating the public about them. The first and foremost of these is the Wild Animal Rescue Program. Private owners are often not able to care for their exotic pets properly. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is equipped with several rescue vehicles, and works closely with law enforcement to help care for these animals. Other projects are the Wild Animal care program and the Captive Wildlife Education Program.