The Wild Animal Sanctuary today announced that it will remain open thanks in part to a flurry of donations received after the sanctuary was threatened with financial ruin and closure last year.
The nonprofit sanctuary in Keenesburg, founded in 1980, is the nation’s largest captive wildlife sanctuary. It offers safe haven to more than 155 animals, including bears, leopards, lions and tigers that were abandoned, abused or confiscated by law enforcement officials.
The organization took a severe financial hit last year that sanctuary officials attributed to donors’ shifting priorities. Money that typically would have gone to the sanctuary was sent instead to address the needs of people affected by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Indonesia.
While the sanctuary’s immediate financial needs have been met, officials are working to develop a longterm business plan to protect its future. The sanctuary receives no government funding and depends almost entirely on gifts from individual donors.
“We’re still not out of the woods,” sanctuary founder and executive director Pat Craig said in a statement. “We ask anyone who can to please support the sanctuary so that we can continue to help these beloved animals for many years to come.”
The sanctuary is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to sanctuary officials, wildlife trafficking generates billions of dollars in profits each year and is the third most lucrative black market behind illegal drug and firearm sales.
