User:Sanctuarydirector

"Sanctuarydirector" is the Founder and Executive Director of The Wild Animal Sanctuary (www.wildanimalsanctuary.org) – Pat Craig – Pat began saving captive wildlife after learning that thousands of “surplus” animals were being kept in tiny cages in the back of zoos all across the country – with many being euthanized on a daily basis. Pat set out on a mission to help save these animals by building a small rescue facility on his family farm outside Boulder, CO. In doing so, Pat became the youngest state and federally licensed person in the country – as well as the first person to build a sanctuary dedicated to saving large carnivores. Pat’s vision has led, 35 years later, to the oldest, largest nonprofit sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere dedicated exclusively to the rescue of captive exotic and endangered large carnivores that have been abused, abandoned, exploited or illegally kept. He has also pioneered the art of building large acreage species-specific habitats, giving the rescued animals wide open spaces in which to roam.

Pat’s 35 years of experience in captive large carnivore behavior and sanctuary development have led to his becoming a leading expert in the field. He has participated in The Association of Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuary Association, on whose board he served. Pat lectures regionally and nationally on captive wildlife rescue and transportation, great cat behaviors and diets, and has worked tirelessly toward better protection for these animals. He works hand-in-hand with the USDA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and many other state and national organizations in the never-ending rescue of animals in need. Pat has also worked with Mexican agencies on rescues from that country.

Pat’s time as a designer and contractor has been key in his creating and building the unique and expansive infrastructure that makes up the 720 acre Wild Animal Sanctuary today. He has also used his background in secondary education to develop extensive wildlife curriculums pertaining to the Captive Wildlife Crisis.

Pat oversees and participates in all TWAS’ operations, including rescues, animal care, building operations and maintenance, development, administration, and education. He is also TWAS’ resident computer and audiovisual guru, handling social networking applications, producing Sanctuary videos, taking photographs and creating the quarterly newsletter. Pat has a BS in Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and has received recognition from many sources, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Humane Association, and from E-Town Environmental Radio Show. He was also a finalist in Animal Planet’s “Hero of the Year” competition.