Two weeks ago I visited an animals refuge in Caswell County. This nonprofit organization, named Conservators Center, rescues wild animals in need, mostly lions and tigers, and offers them a safe place to live.
All the animals that live there have one thing in common: they were all purchased by individuals that thought they could maintain them, or by other refuges that unfortunately could no longer stay open. Nobody wanted these animals anymore, and they ended up alone, especially those who suffered from behavioral issues, physical disabilities, or those who were really old. But, luckily for them, Conservators Center took them in.
The center’s mission is based on education, conservation and rescue: Their philosophy says, “In order to save a species you must preserve an entire ecosystem. We also believe there is value in individual animals, and saving individual animals requires accepting rescue and placement animals. “
While I was there, I had the opportunity to see wolves, lions, jaguars, tigers, and many other animals. The guide explained the animal’s stories, and also taught us surprising facts about them. I liked how the visit was much more centered on the animals and not on the humans’ experience, like zoos.
In fact, this organization, as I mentioned before, intends to teach and educate the visitants, because they want people to understand more about the animals. On their website, they write
“Our incredible animals serve as the best possible ambassadors for their respective species and the need for comprehensive conservation efforts. Children and adults alike leave our site touched by the experience and with a better understanding of how we are all interconnected.”
The place itself is not really big–it has facilities for animals, a small shop, and even a smaller picnic area. They try to rescue all the animals, but it is difficult due to how expensive they are and the costs they incur. However, they survive on the small shop, the visitors and the very generous people who decides to give them donations or adopt an animal.
One adopter says, “We marvel at Maggie Lion’s power and beauty, and are humbled that such a magnificent creature chooses to spend time with us. We tell people that we adopted Maggie because she needed us. But sometimes we think we adopted Maggie because we needed her.”
It is true that this place does an admirable job fighting for good conditions for the animals, as well as trying to conserve and save the endangered species. That’s why I suggest everyone to go visit it, and help this small center rescue and offer a home to even more animals.
