Founder of Sanctuary Rehabilitates Animals Rescued from Closed Zoo

  • Pat Craig of The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado has become a leading figure in high-stakes animal rescues around the world.
  • Last spring, Craig led the mission to rescue over 300 animals from the deteriorating Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo in Puerto Rico, which had faced years of decline and neglect. The animals were in desperate conditions, with many sick and dying.
  • Despite challenges, including resistance from local zookeepers and sabotage attempts, the animals were safely transported to sanctuaries across the U.S., including Craig’s sanctuary in Colorado, where they will receive the care they need to heal and live out their lives.

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And, lo, before the flood, the Lord said to Noah, “make yourself an ark… bring out every kind of living creature.” That was the Old Testament. But what happens today when disaster threatens animals? Pat Craig, founder of The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, has become the go-to person for orchestrating high-stakes rescues around the world. Last spring, Craig embarked on his most ambitious mission yet, rescuing hundreds of animals from a troubled zoo in Puerto Rico.

The Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, was once home to lions that were the pride of the island. However, after years of decline, mismanagement, and neglect, the zoo had become a heartbreaking sight. Animals were sick, dying, and living in substandard conditions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had cited the zoo multiple times for mistreatment of animals. After hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the island, the zoo closed to the public in 2018, leaving over 300 animals in desperate conditions.

Pat Craig and his wife Monica, from The Wild Animal Sanctuary, arrived in Puerto Rico to assess the situation and were greeted by the sad and sickly animals. The animals continued to die while they were there, further highlighting the urgency of the situation. The U.S. Department of Justice recognized the dire state of the zoo and sent a team of agents to evacuate every single species to permanent homes on the mainland. They enlisted the help of Pat Craig to lead this mission.

The rescue operation involved coaxing and sedating the animals to safely transport them to their new homes. The team encountered resistance from the local zookeepers in Puerto Rico, who were apprehensive about the animals leaving. At times, there was even sabotage, including an incident where an elephant escaped after being shot with a BB gun to create a negative association with the transport crate. Despite these challenges, the animals were eventually loaded onto charter flights and taken to sanctuaries across the U.S.

Pat Craig’s sanctuary in Colorado became the new home for many of the rescued animals. The sanctuary, spanning 1,200 acres, provides a safe and spacious environment for the animals to heal and live out their lives. The animals, often with traumatic pasts, undergo rehabilitation both physically and emotionally. The goal is to help them overcome their past experiences and regain their wild instincts.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary operates on a budget primarily funded by private donations. It requires immense resources to care for the animals, including 100,000 pounds of food per week. The sanctuary provides treatment plans, medical care, and a specially designed diet for each animal.

Through persevering efforts, animals like Mundi the elephant, who had been isolated for over 30 years, were given a chance to connect with other elephants and experience a healthier and happier life. Pat Craig’s mission is to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals from around the world, providing them with a second chance at living as close to their natural habitats as possible.

The release of the lions from Puerto Rico into their permanent habitat was a moment of triumph for Pat Craig and the team. It was a first for the lions, who had spent their entire lives in captivity, and enabled them to run and live in a large, grassy space. The scuffles that ensued among the lions were a sign that they were finally able to express their natural behavior.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary continues to be a place of refuge for animals with sad backstories from around the world. Pat Craig’s dedication to animal rescue and rehabilitation has created a home where these animals can find healing and happiness.


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