Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary…the story begins

Posted by Jobi on July 15, 2009

My introduction to Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences I have ever had. I visited their location and learned a lot about the why’s and where fore’s of their existence, their past and present. There is no better way to promote this rescue organization than to start at the beginning. With the help of Board Member, Santiago Fonseca, I will let you in on their story.

Santiago and his wife Debbie settled into their new home in Tampa, FL, in January 2007. Their love and fascination for the big, beautiful wild animals led them to take a tour of a local wildlife sanctuary. “We headed out that afternoon to check it out, and were thrilled to learn they were having a volunteer orientation session following the tour. Needless to say, we stayed and signed up on the spot.”

Two men, David Kitchen and Ted Greenwood established the sanctuary back in 1998. David owned a fish farm and they’d heard about someone who was no longer able to care for a lion and a tiger. They looked at each other and said “why not?” It seemed like the right thing to do and David had the space. He already owned two bears, so what started as an act of kindness towards two, soon to be homeless “cats”, became a lifestyle and a mission for these two wonderful guys. Little by little they built a loving refuge that today, houses over 55 residents.

Ted and David were funding everything themselves. As the sanctuary grew larger, things got tighter economically. In 2005, Ted and his wife, Robin, leased the land from David and incorporated as a non-profit organization [501c (3)]. They called the newly established sanctuary “Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary” in honor of Ted and Robin’s bear – Elmira, a North American Black Bear.

Together they crafted the following mission statement: Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary exists “To provide continuing care, life management and enrichment to exotic and wild animals in need of a home and to provide educational opportunities and programs to increase community awareness of the needs of these animals.”

Ted passed away in 2006 and David passed in 2007. Robin took over and she, along with a core of volunteers, has brought the sanctuary to what it is today. Members of the board, as well as a few volunteers, hold the necessary licenses to own and care for these animals – large and small. The rest of the volunteers do all the chores necessary to maintain a facility of this size. Everyone involved in caring for the animals and their habitat is a volunteer.

Stop back soon to find out about their shocking news.