More ethical than zoos, animal sanctuaries offer a chance for visitors to see animals enjoying a more peaceful life than they had previously in more natural and comfortable surroundings. They also make a great stop on a backpackers or travellers journey and some rescue centres have even been founded by former travellers. Here are ten inspirational not-for-profit animal sanctuaries that promise an educational, interesting and uplifting visit. Many of the centres also actively seek volunteers, which might be an option for those looking for a more rewarding travel experience.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane, Australia
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Founded in 1927, the Lone Pine sanctuary in Brisbane is the world’s oldest and largest rescue centre for Koalas and is one of the very few places where you can actually hold koalas for a fee. A beautiful natural woodland reserve, the popular sanctuary is also home to variety of other animals including kangaroos, native Australian birds and platypus. You’ll also probably be very surprised to see how fast the koalas move when the gum tree leaves are brought out at lunchtime.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Chengdu Moonbear Rescue Centre, China
English ex-pat Jill Robinson MBE founded the Animals Asia Foundation when she discovered that thousands of Asiatic black bears were being raised in appalling conditions on Chinese bear bile farms (the bile is sold for use in traditional Chinese medicines). After years of tireless campaigning the rescue centre was established in 2000 following an unprecedented agreement with the Chinese authorities to release 500 farmed bears. The sanctuary is open to the public and visitors travel for miles to see the bears experience freedom after spending decades in tiny crush cages.
Animals Asia Foundation
Sepilok orangutan sanctuary, Borneo
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Only a few travellers leave Borneo without visiting the world famous Sepolik Rehabilitation Centre and when seeing photos of the impossibly cute residents it’s easy to see why. The sanctuary was founded in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned orangutans which were mainly victims of the illegal pet trade and logging industry. The large virgin rainforest reserve is home to around 60 to 80 orangutans and they are trained to survive in the wild again and released as soon as they are ready. Visitors are welcomed to the centre but handling of the animals is strictly forbidden. A good tip is to time your visit around feeding time.
Orangutan Appeal UK
Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES), Thailand
BLES in Sukhothai, Northern Thailand was founded by English animal lover Katherine Connor after she travelled across Asia. Whilst volunteering at a Thai elephant hospital she formed a very strong bond with a premature baby elephant. Instead of finishing her travels she decided to stay in Thailand to rescue her new friend from being sold to a notorious animal tourist show. After the elephant sadly passed away Katherine sold her possessions in England and with the help of her now husband (a Thai elephant handler) set up Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in his memory. All the elephants at Boon Lott have been rescued from abuse or mistreatment and visitors enjoy a chance to interact with the elephants in a peaceful and secluded location. Staying guests are asked to be involved in all aspects of sanctuary life ranging from collecting food from the jungle to repairing pens.
Boon Lott Elephant Sanctuary
Noah’s Ark, Georgia, USA
Noah’s Ark is a unique facility located in the US state of Georgia. It provides a home for abused, unwanted and orphaned children as well as animals. The centre is run entirely on donations and is open to the public. Guests come to visit the children and see the collection of over a thousand animals ranging from the very large and exotic to the very small and domesticated. Three of their furry resident’s have also made worldwide news. Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger have formed an unlikely and unusually strong bond after being rescued in a drug’s raid when they were just 2 months old. The predators (who would be enemies if they were ever to meet in the wild) are housed together and curious visitors travel from all over the US to see their affectionate friendship first hand.
Noah’s Ark
Animal Kingdom, Philippines
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The Animal Kingdom Foundation has a centre based in the Philippines which rescues dogs from the meat trade and a particularly gruesome fate. The charity was formed after a month long surveillance by animal advocates Greg S. Quimpo and Veterinarian Samaniego and they now work to fight against the illegal meat trade after realising thousands of dogs in the Philippines get caught up in it every day. They set up a no-profit, no-kill dog shelter dedicated to saving abandoned, neglected, abused and slaughter-bound dogs. They welcome animal loving visitors and the dogs are also available for adoption to good homes.
Animal Kingdom Foundation
The Donkey Sanctuary, Devon, UK
The Sidmouth donkey sanctuary is an English national treasure and a popular family day out. It was founded by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE when her donkey enthusiasm turned into a full blown rescue centre when she saw some ill treated donkeys at a market in nearby Exeter. Slade House Farm was purchased to house her fast growing family of four legged friends and since then 12,500 donkeys have passed through the sanctuary’s doors. Admission is free and many people come to see the previously neglected or abused donkey’s living happily in the picturesque Devonshire countryside.
The Donkey Sanctuary
The Vervet Monkey Foundation, South Africa
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The Vervet Monkey Foundation in Tzaneen, South Africa is home to nearly 700 orphaned, injured, ex-laboratory or unwanted pet monkeys. The sanctuary (established in 1993) is a 23-hectare rescue, educational and rehabilitation centre as well as being a popular tourist attraction. Volunteers are welcomed from all over the world and accommodation and plenty of Vervet monkey interaction is offered in return for help with everyday activities.
Vervet Monkey Foundation
Agra Bear Rescue Facility, North India
Two major animal charities helped fund a sanctuary for ex dancing bears in Agra, North India which is located just a few kilometres north of the famous Taj Mahal. The initiative was such a success that by the end of 2009 many of the dancing bears forced to dance on the streets of India for entertainment had been rescued. After their harsh and often brutal treatment the bears recover in large enclosures complete with freshwater bathing pools, climbing frames and other tools of environmental enrichment. Visitors are welcomed by appointment and guests speak of the enjoyment of seeing the naturally playful bears in their new comfortable surroundings.
International Animal Rescue
The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Utah, USA
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The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located in 33,000 acres of exceptionally beautiful Utah landscape. One of America’s best known animal welfare groups, it was founded in the late 1980′s as an alternative to the ‘kill’ shelters in the US. The sanctuary now houses 1,700 displaced, homeless or unwanted domestic animals ranging from dogs to pot-bellied pigs. Best Friends is also very popular with visitors and volunteers who appreciate the combination of great scenery with the interaction of it’s often adorable residents.
Best Friends Animal Society
