Boomer Nation! Blog
  • Return to Show Site
  • Go to Terri's Blog
  • About Terri

Where to Enjoy Wild Animals Instead of the Zoo

9/28/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
 Our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico & St. Thomas are living with the  devastation brought on by the double whammy of Irma followed by Maria
(no power, no clean water, homes demolished)
. 
If you wish to help, use this link.
We did and hope you will, too. 
Thank you for your generosity.


All our lives we considered zoos to be a great way to see wild animals from around the world, as captive wildlife  provides an opportunity to learn about the animal kingdom.  And of course it’s a lot of fun to see exotic creatures  up close.
Unfortunately, in the past few years we've become painfully aware of some serious problems with zoos: Inadequate enclosures, abuse, insufficient medical treatment, killing of "surplus animals" etc. And although some zoos conduct conservation and rehabilitation, most don't, meaning they keep wild animals in cages and other unnatural settings for the sole purpose of human entertainment and profit.

The great news: there's an alternative to oh so last century (and earlier) zoo -
animal sanctuaries
.

Picture
Here's your guide to finding the right one in you woods' neck.

Things to look for to ensure it's a legitimate sanctuary
Even with these establishments, you must be careful.  No international certification exists at this time to determine if a sanctuary is legitimate, which means it’s easy to use the name “sanctuary” for what amounts to a zoo.

So first, look for these key indicators of legitimacy as you search for a sanctuary near you:
Picture
  • Its first priority for injured or rescued animals would be to rehabilitate them in a way that gives them the best chance of surviving in the wild.
  • It doesn't promote handling or interacting with wild animals. When animals become habituated to humans, they can no longer be released into the wild. Additionally, human interaction is often stressful to wild animals.
  • For animals who have lived or been injured in ways that prevent them from returning to the wild, whether it be a bird’s inability to fly or a lion’s life in a circus, the facility provides plenty of species appropriate ground for living out their lives there.

With this in mind, I recommend the following animal sanctuaries if one is in your area.
If not, you now know how to determine if one in  your area is legit.


1. Center for Great Apes (Florida)
This sanctuary is not open to the general public as an attraction, and it is one of the more limited options on this list. There is, however, a program that allows members two visits a year, and the Center offers educational tours. None of the animals can be returned to the wild, as they lack the necessary skills to survive. Apes can be observed in large, three-story enclosures in tropical forest surroundings.

Picture
2. Wild Animal Sanctuary (Colorado)
The Wild Animal Sanctuary is the oldest and largest nonprofit sanctuary in the world. The center is specifically dedicated to rescuing exotic and endangered large carnivores, and they strive to bring awareness to the captive wildlife crisis: for instance, there are 4,000 tigers living in privates homes in Texas alone, which is more than the numbers of tigers in the wild. The Wild Animal Sanctuary also provides educational tours on their large, 720-acre habitat.

3. Big Cat Rescue (Florida)
Big Cat Rescue is one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world dedicated to abused and abandoned big cats. Home to more than 80 lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars and more, they are working to end private ownership and trade in exotic cats through legislation and education. These animals, too, are unable to be sent back into the wild, as many of them have never lived there. Big Cat Rescue has guided, educational tours available.

Picture
4. Noah’s Ark (Georgia)
Noah’s Ark, home to an infamous trio of friends – Baloo, Leo and Shere Khan –  provides both self-guided and educational guided tours of their facilities. They host 100 different species of animals who have been abused, unwanted and neglected. If an animal’s injuries means s/he cannot be released, all in such cases will live out the rest of their lives at this sanctuary.

5. Performing Animal Welfare Society (California)
PAWS rescues abused, neglected, retired and needy captive wildlife through intervention and legislation designed to put an end to breeding exotic animals for entertainment. They are free to act naturally in enclosures designed to best mimic their wild habitat. For those with limited physical abilities, including animals with arthritis, specially designed areas allow them to move more comfortably. This sanctuary is generally closed to the public, but allows tours during special, limited events.

Picture
6. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Utah)
This sanctuary, unlike many on this list, is one that is designed for adoptable animals who need homes. Their core philosophy, and goal, is to save all animals. At any given time, there are around 1,600 animals at this sprawling 3,700-acre location. All the animals are rescues, and many — including pigs — await adoption. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is open for visits, and, of course, matchmaking between the rescued animals and their prospective humans.

7. Animal Place (California)
This is one of the oldest and largest sanctuaries for farm animals in the country. They do adopt out their animals to loving homes if possible, but otherwise they live out their lives in peace.
Unless you grew up on or near a farm, seeing these animals is more exciting than it might seem. Since they are domesticated animals, there isn’t the same concern about approaching them. Animal Place provides guided tours and education about treating these animals well, in addition to information about the meat and dairy industries.

All sanctuaries are also forever in need of volunteers, so if you’re interested, go to their websites for more information.

You have been officially alerted...

0 Comments
    Love the blog? 
    Show some love to our sponsors!


    BN! Sponsored by:
    Picture




    Connecting Executives
    with Experts!


    BN! also brought to
                            you by...
    HiLike Pet Accessories

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture
    Nest Cam Indoor Cameras


    Picture

    Blog Author

    _These are the musings of
    Terri Benincasa from her show alerts and more on the latest trends & news items for & about Boomers.

    RSS Feed


    Picture
    Think the chemicals
    in the products you
    use are safe?
    Here's the real scoop....
    Picture



    Archives

    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    September 2011


    Categories

    All
    9/11
    Ageism
    Ageism & Sexism In Hollywood
    Aging
    Alert...biz
    Alert...fun
    Alert...fun
    Alert/Pondering
    Alert...sports
    Alerts/Rants
    Alert...to Our Kids
    American Independence Day
    Animals
    Animal Welfare
    Around The House
    Artists
    Baseball
    Best For Boomers
    Boomer Alert
    Boomer Business Ownership
    Boomer Celebs
    Boomer Generation
    Boomer Grandparents
    Boomers At Work
    Boomer's Parents
    Brain Health
    Business
    Call To Action
    Career
    Care Giving
    Care-giving
    Change
    Charitable Giving
    Chemicals
    Children
    Communicating
    Couples
    Dating
    Dying
    Easy Living
    Elder Care
    Elders
    Electronics For Us
    Energy
    Family
    Feeling Good
    Finances
    Forgetfulness
    Friendships
    General Health
    Gift Ideas
    Halloween
    Happiness
    Health/fitness
    Healthy Eating
    Helpful Items
    Holidays
    Influence
    Inspiration
    Job Search
    Keepsakes For Our Kids
    Leadership
    Life Stretcher Quiz
    Marriage
    Medical
    Medical Care
    Medicare
    Memorial Day
    Memory
    Mental Health
    Mother's Day
    National Holidays
    New Business Ownership
    New Year
    Parenting
    Phone Apps
    Planning
    Products & Services
    Relationships
    Retirement
    Saving Money
    Science
    Second Act
    Self Help
    Sex
    Shopping
    Show's Charity
    Social Security
    Sports
    Summer Fun
    Taxes
    Tax Receipt
    Thanksgiving
    Travel
    Trip Ideas
    Vacationing
    Veterans
    Vietnam
    Weight Loss
    Work/career
    Younger Generations

Photo used under Creative Commons from sabertasche2