The Wild Animal Sanctuary- Texas

Certified by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums
In 2001, we became the first sanctuary to be certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose standards are the highest in animal welfare. We have since maintained an excellent quality of care for the animals and strive to continue improving each and every day. Of the 236 certified and accredited organizations within the AZA, we house more than 25% of all "generic" tigers, meaning tigers whose ancestry is unknown and are therefore of no use for breeding and population management purposes. This means that these animals are of no value to zoos and therefore have no other options at a quality life other than being placed in reputable sanctuaries such as The Wild Animal Sanctuary-TEXAS.

Guided Tours
One major purpose of the facility is education. First off, we strive to raise awareness and support the conservation efforts being made for the species residing at TWAS-TEXAS. We achieve this through our guided conservation educational tours where supporters can see the animals up close and learn about animal welfare issues and how to help conserve these animals in their native habitat. In addition to on-site visits, we also attend many career days and provide virtual tours and other off-site engagements to allow even more people to interact with the educational opportunities that our facility provides.

Animal Husbandry Internships
Another very important part of our Education Program is our Intern Program, which began in 2002. Most zoos across the U.S. do not offer internships working with large exotic felines or bears. TWAS-TEXAS is one of the leading facilities for animal husbandry internships caring for exotic animals. We provide the necessary experience for young adults to be successful in the animal welfare field. In 2007, TWAS-TEXAS received a Certificate of Merit for Zoo Keeper Education from the American Association of Zoo Keepers. Many interns leave our organization to continue their careers in zoos, veterinary school or governmental agencies. Visit our website for more information about this opportunity and see what interns are saying about our program:
"This internship was as rewarding as it was demanding. It was through this opportunity that I learned a great life lesson, which was, the more you put into something the more you get out of it. The work at the Sanctuary is extremely difficult as there is much more to caring for these animals than feeding them."

Our Needs

Your support will help cover the costs for food, veterinary services, habitat maintenance, safety, behavioral and emotional enrichment, educational programs and other general operating expenses.