The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. Greetings from Lucky living a wonderful life at The Wild Horse Refuge near Craig, Colorado. #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #Colorado #coloradowildhorsesneedyou #coloradowildhorses #wildhorses

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO. The Wildest Fundraiser Dinner Experience is Here! Get ready for an evening we’ll never forget. We are officially hosting our Summer Safari Dinners for 2026, and reservations are filling up quickly as we prepare for this special season. Imagine stepping into the incredible atmosphere of the Sanctuary for a night of purpose and community. We will gather for a delicious dinner served at our Bolivian Lion House, surrounded by the powerful roars of African lions echoing through the evening air. Throughout the night, we’ll have the opportunity to engage in intimate, stimulating conversations with our senior Staff. We will also feature a special presentation by one of our team members, where we’ll share the latest happenings and heart-warming updates from around the Sanctuary. Additionally, we are honored to host a silent auction with unique items and experiences, providing us all with another meaningful way to support the animals in our care. We’ve already added extra seating for July due to the high level of interest, and we would love for you to join us before the remaining dates are filled. The dates are: May 16: OPEN July 11: SOLD OUT August 22: OPEN September 19: OPEN time: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Claim Our Spot! This is a truly unique fundraising event, and 100% of our ticket purchase goes directly toward supporting the animals. Once these tickets are gone, they are gone for the season. wildanimalsanctuary.org/summer-safari-… #SummerSafari #TheWildAnimalSanctuary #ColoradoEvents #SafariDinner #LionHouse #WildlifeConservation #SummerVibes #SilentAuction #SupportWildlife #wildanimalsanctuary

icture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. Happy Easter from all of us at the Wild Horse Refuge! As the day winds down and the golden hour hits the plains, we wanted to send a heartfelt thank you to the incredible community that keeps our herds running free. Easter is a celebration of renewal and spirit—two things we see every time a horse finds peace on these open lands. Your support ensures that "freedom" isn't just a word here; it's a way of life. We hope your day has been as beautiful and spirited as a mustang on the horizon. Thank you for standing with us to protect the wild heart of the West! #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #Colorado #sanctuary #HappyEaster2026

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Animal Refuge, Springfield, CO. Greetings from Jax... Happy Easter from all of us at The Wild Animal Sanctuary! As the sun begins to set on this beautiful day of renewal, we wanted to take a moment to share our deepest gratitude with you. Every "new beginning" at the sanctuary—from the first peaceful nap in the grass to the freedom of a wide-open habitat—is a gift made possible by your incredible support. We hope your day has been filled with as much joy and peace as our residents have found here. Thank you for being part of our pride and for making every day a little brighter for the animals we call family. #TheWildAnimalRefuge #WildAnimalRefuge #Colorado #refuge #HappyEaster2026

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. Greetings from beautiful Bay Mare living a wonderful life at The Wild Horse Refuge near Craig, Colorado. Bay Mare is part of Kahlua's band. #thewildhorserefuge #wildhorsesofcolorado #WildHorseRefuge #Colorado

Video Of The Day! Location: The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO. Our rescued animals arrive from some of the darkest corners of the world. Those who make it to our Sanctuary are the lucky ones—the warriors who refused to give up, even when death felt inevitable. Hunter and Simba, two African lions, embody this spirit. In Mexico, they were kept at a "pseudo-sanctuary" where they endured horrific abuse. The trauma was so severe that both lions as cubs suffered broken skulls from blunt force trauma; furthermore, a devastatingly poor diet left them with permanent vitamin deficiencies that still impact their agility and stability today. When their previous owners threatened to shoot them because they were "ugly and sick," a compassionate veterinarian stepped in to take ownership. Eventually, Hunter and Simba were surrendered to Fundación Invictus, a rescue organization in Pachuca, Mexico, that works closely with us. After receiving emergency medical care, the pair—along with nine other rescues—were transferred to our Keenesburg facility in November 2024. Today, after a period of healing and acclimation, they finally know peace, enjoying world-class nutrition and the expansive space they have always deserved. While their walking "gait" may look a little different due to their medical history, we assure you they are thriving. They receive world-class care and nutrition, living every day with the dignity and space they have always deserved. They are no longer victims; they are happy, they are loved, and they are free. #TheWildAnimalSanctuary #wildanimalsanctuary #Colorado #RescuedLion

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. Greetings from Sage who is part of Rocky's Band at The Wild Horse Refuge in Craig, Colorado. The morning air in Craig had a real bite to it today—the kind of Colorado chill that gets the horses moving! We headed out to check fencelines and water, expecting a quiet morning, but the herds had other plans. In the East pastures, we ran into eight different bands. They looked healthy, alert, and full of "cool weather" energy. Every time we stepped out of the truck to grab a photo, it was like we’d waved a green flag. Heads went up, tails swished, and they were gone in a beautiful, thundering blur! Sometimes you miss a good photo because the Wild Ones are not interested in seeing you, but seeing the horses this spirited and happy is the best part of life here at the Wild Horse Refuge. #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #coloradowildhorsesneedyou #Colorado #wildhorsesofcolorado

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO. Sending a golden hello from Hunter! He’s spent the day patrolling his vast acreage under the Colorado sun at The Wild Animal Sanctuary. #TheWildAnimalSanctuary #wildanimalsanctuary #Colorado #hunterthelion #RescuedLion #largeacreagehabitat

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. FREEDOM feels good at The Wild Horse Refuge! The day began with clear skies and mild weather as we headed to the East pastures to conduct our routine water flow inspections. All water tanks are at full capacity and the pipelines are delivering fresh, clear water to the herds. Moving down to the Highway 40 Hayfield, we found all 50+ horses—comprising six distinct and diverse bands—grazing peacefully among the natural-fed ponds. It is a privilege for our team to monitor these "Wild Ones" as they move through their natural rhythms, whether they are running across the flats or quietly observing us as we pass. Accompanied by the serene "spring songs" of the local meadowlarks, the Refuge remains a place of profound peace, and we are honored to provide a sanctuary where these horses can live truly free. We are profoundly grateful for your belief in our mission; together, we are creating a heaven on earth for these incredible animals. wildhorserefuge.org #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #coloradowildhorses #Colorado #RescuedWildHorses #ColoradoWildHorsesNeedYou

Video Of The Day! Location: The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO. Grizzly Bear "Trouble" is officially up from hibernation! His amazing care team is ready to welcome him with a delicious snack—turn your sound on to hear those satisfyng lip-smacks as he enjoys his first treat of the season! Did you know that Trouble is actually quite famous? His incredible real-life story inspired the book "A Bear Named Trouble" by Marion Dane Bauer. It’s a great read for all ages if you want to learn more about his journey! #TheWildAnimalSanctuary #wildanimalsanctuary #sanctuary #Colorado #rescuedGrizzlyBear #troublethebear

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Springfield, CO. Happy Thrusday from beautiful Anji! #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #coloradowildhorses #Colorado #wildhorses

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO. Life is good for Ella and Ray! Ray is especially loving his custom hammock—a thoughtful gift from Eagle Scout groups who volunteer their skills to support our animals. Thank you Eagle Scouts! #TheWildAnimalSanctuary #wildanimalsanctuary #sanctuary #Colorado #sanctuary #rescuedwildanimals #EagleScouts

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. A heartfelt greeting from some of the members of Onaqui's Band. Here at The Wild Horse Refuge, they are finally home—living a beautiful life of peace and absolute freedom. #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #coloradowildhorses #Colorado #RescuedWildHorses

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, CO. Greetings from Ethel and Lucy. Did you know that back in 2015, two of our favorite faces arrived at the Sanctuary? Before they were the queens of the pasture, Ethel and Lucy lived a very different life. Purchased as babies by a businessman in New Mexico, these two beautiful ostriches spent years behind a commercial building, confined to a cramped concrete dumpster space. No grass, no room to run—just gray walls and hard ground. Everything changed when a compassionate employee at the business looked at those two birds and knew they deserved better. They spoke up, convinced the owner to let them go, and called our Sanctuary. Our team headed straight to New Mexico to bring them home, and that 2015 rescue marked the first day of the rest of their lives. Today, Ethel and Lucy are thriving in their massive acreage habitat. It’s been over a decade since they last felt concrete under their feet, and they spend every day exploring the wide-open spaces they were born for. They’ve even formed their own little "bird squad" with our quirky crew of emus. Watching them sprint across the fields today, it’s hard to believe where they started. Their journey is a beautiful reminder that it only takes one person speaking up to change a life forever. Thank you for being part of their story since 2015! #TheWildAnimalSanctuary #wildanimalsanctuary #Colorado #sanctuary

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. Happy Monday from Mango and Pepper... We spent an exceptional day in the Sugarloaf pasture observing Kahlua’s Band, a group of 13 horses primarily originating from the Sand Wash Basin. The band features several notable individuals, including Kahlua, Bay Mare, My Gal, Ginger, Chenoa, Mango, Zephyrus, Anij, and Phoebe. Typically found grazing west of Mt. Sugarloaf before settling into the valley for the evening, these horses possess a remarkably calm and mature temperament. It was a privilege to spend the afternoon in their company, enjoying the rhythmic sounds of the herd and the tranquil atmosphere of the Refuge. To learn more about our mission, please visit: wildhorserefuge.org #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #Colorado #coloradowildhorses #wildhorses

Video Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. Beautiful Desiree and her band... #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #coloradowildhorses #Colorado #wildhorses

Low quality video, high quality moment. HeDaBomb and Beatrice being absolutely adorable together. #TheWildAnimalSanctuary #wildanimalsanctuary #Colorado #sanctuary

Picture Of The Day! Location: The Wild Horse Refuge, Craig, CO. We love seeing Kia (left) and her band of Wild Ones being curious about our presence. #thewildhorserefuge #WildHorseRefuge #wildhorses #Colorado #coloradowildhorses

Pictures Of The Day! Location: The Wild Animal Refuge, Springfield, CO. Greetings from some members of Ukrainian Pride living at The Wild Animal Refuge. It has been nearly four years since the "Ukraine Lions" first arrived in the wide-open plains of Colorado, and their transformation since 2022 has been nothing short of miraculous. After surviving the largest war-zone rescue of large carnivores ever conducted, these majestic animals have fully embraced their life at The Wild Animal Refuge in Springfield. They long ago traded the sounds of sirens and the confines of Odesa for over 80 acres of natural prairie, cedar trees, and limestone canyons. The pride is now completely settled into their massive habitat, spending their seasons exploring natural dens, sunning on rock outcroppings, and living with the strength and confidence they regained after their rescue. The Wild Animal Sanctuary and The Wild Animal Refuge remain 100% non-profit, relying on ongoing support to provide these lions with the food, space, and veterinary care they deserve for the rest of their lives. You can help ensure their continued peace by visiting wildanimalsanctuary.org to learn how to sponsor an acre of their habitat or contribute to their long-term care. #TheWildAnimalRefuge #WildAnimalRefuge #Colorado #UkraineLions #WildAnimalRefuge #ColoradoWildlife #LionRescue #SanctuaryLife #OdesaLions #AnimalRescue