Rescue and care facilities for abandoned, neglected or abused wildlife. Find out how to help
An animal sanctuary is a facility where vulnerable animals are looked after and protected, often for the rest of their lives. A zoo is a facility in which animals are housed within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also breed.
Animal sanctuaries in Zambia
In Zambia the animals kept in a sanctuary may have been rescued from the wild. Facilities exist for elephants, lions, cheetahs and chimpanzees. Often these sanctuaries need financial and material support from people who care about animals and want to support rescue efforts. The existance of animal sanctuaries ensures that vulnerable animals are given the care and compassion they deserve.
Zambian sanctuaries are a refuge for animals that have been injured, orphaned, abandoned, or displaced. Sanctuaries focus on challenging the culture of animal abuse and exploitation while improving the accessibility of an animal-friendly lifestyle. They want their visitors to leave the sanctuary knowing why animals are worthy of protection. Through their programs, sanctuaries hope to inspire others to create change that will benefit animals, people and the planet. They provide a natural home to animals in need and encourage change to end the captive wildlife crisis. Sanctuaries provide the animals in their care with natural and spacious habitats, with a life free of exhibition and exploitation.
Animal sanctuaries in Zambia rely on donations from the public to continue their work, as they do not receive any state funding. Their goal is to rescue, rehabilitate and if possible release native wildlife back into their natural environment. Animals that are permanently disabled, or unable to be released but can still have a good quality of life, may continue at a sanctuary with permission from the state agencies. These animals may become educational ambassadors to assist in local programs for schools, camps, and civic organisations. Educational programs are customised for various age groups, with information about the many native species and the environmental factors that affect them. These programs also teach respect for all animals and explain what can be done to make a difference.
Sanctuary staff usually include veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, as well as highly trained and compassionate caretakers who work together to provide the highest quality of care possible. They regularly attend educational conferences and seminars to keep up with the latest treatments, techniques and medicines. Their commitment is to provide a safe and healing haven for all animals.
Zambian sanctuaries have a proven track record of successfully rehabilitating and releasing wild animals into protected areas where they can be monitored until they are completely self-reliant. Their dedication is to bettering our environment through animal care and raising awareness in our community about the importance of animals. The combination of care and education constitutes their commitment to a vibrant and compassionate future for all animals. There are several kinds of sanctuaries housing a wide selection of animals in the country.
Many of the exotic animals have been donated to sanctuaries by Zambian wildlife officers who confiscated these innocent creatures from the previous owners because of neglect, abuse, or illegal possession. Some were pets that owners could no longer care for. With your donations, Zambian animal sanctuaries are able to provide care to all animals in distress. Without external support, animal sanctuaries face a lot of challenges, making it impossible for them to continue their valuable work.
