Learn About These 5 Animal Sanctuaries

Animal shelters or sanctuaries are places where animals have been rescued from illegal trafficking, mass production farms, circuses, or zoos. Many of them don’t have the capacity to return to their natural habitat and others, after being treated and cured, return to their homes. In this article, we’ll tell you about some of the best-known animal sanctuaries.

Which animal sanctuaries to visit?

One of the main goals of animal sanctuaries is to rescue animals that are in bad condition due to confinement, incessant breeding, or mistreatment. In addition, their objectives are to recover the animal and then return it to its natural habitat and, of course, to educate people about the life of other species.

Throughout the world, we can find different animal sanctuaries that are dedicated to a particular species or to several species at the same time. Unlike zoos, in these places, they all live free and in a similar habitat to the ones they naturally live in. Among them, we can mention the following:

1. Elephant sanctuary (Thailand)

Many elephants live in Southeast Asia, but not all of them enjoy the freedom they deserve. Tourism, traditions, and hunting are the main threats to these large mammals. This sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals that are seriously injured in the jungle.

Once they’re treated, they’re reintroduced into their natural habitat. Visitors to the sanctuary can feed them, give them a bath, or help with the cleaning of the place. If you travel to Thailand, we recommend that you avoid going to elephant shows. Moreover, you can see them in the wild at this sanctuary, where they live well, as opposed to the abuse they get to make them perform in shows.

2. Farm Sanctuary (United States)

Three farm animal sanctuaries belong to this association (located in California and New York). Their main mission is to rescue cows, chickens, pigs, and all species for human consumption.

The idea of visiting this place is to rethink and reevaluate the relationship that man has with animals. However, people can also have a wonderful time with animals that feel grateful for their “new lives” in freedom.

3. Koala Sanctuary (Australia)

Watching this beautiful marsupial that only lives in Oceania in a zoo shouldn’t be the main attraction when arriving in Australia. In this refuge, we can observe them in their natural habitat, roaming free and respecting their 22 hours of sleep a day.

Here, it’s only possible to take pictures and, if they let you, there’s half an hour a day with the opportunity to hug one. They live quietly and peacefully without any interruptions during the rest of the time.

4. Hippo sanctuary (Ghana)

Hippos have a cute appearance with their small ears and chubby body. However, the hippopotamus is one of the most dangerous animals in the world. They get scared easily and can react quite fast, but humans have weapons that can overpower them more easily. For that reason, humans are one of the greatest threats to the species.

There are two remaining hippo populations in Ghana and one of them has become a sanctuary. It’s located in the northwest of the country, 25 miles from the Black Volta River. In addition, it has been possible to see the Wechiau community from a safe distance ever since 1999, and learn about their habits, feeding, and reproduction.

5. Monkey Sanctuary (Mexico)

The mission of the last of the animal sanctuaries on this list is to provide welfare to rescued specimens. Another goal is to reintroduce them into their natural habitat, educate children, support native Mayan communities, and to carry out research on the typical flora and fauna.

Although the monkeys here (spider, squirrel, capuchin, or lion’s head monkeys) are the most ‘famous’ animals, we can also find lemurs, deer, birds, snakes, goats, and donkeys in this refuge. However, it isn’t possible to take any pictures in order to prevent the animals living there from getting nervous around people, and to prevent them from being disturbed.