Pat Craig: The Wild Animal Sanctuary: A Beacon of Hope

The Wild Animal Sanctuary: A Beacon of Hope

Pat Craig, Executive Director of the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, will describe how Colorado has come to have the largest population of rescued lions, tigers, and bears in the world.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado represents a true labor of love. For over 30 years, Pat Craig has rescued and provided a home for captive exotic and endangered large carnivores. His efforts have been in response to a massive social problem, the captive wildlife crisis. In his lecture, TWAS Executive Director Pat Craig will describe the impact of this problem on society, the three aspects of the facility’s mission, and how Pat and TWAS have become world renowned.

Pat Craig, a native of Boulder, Colorado, began saving captive wildlife as a 19-year old college student. From his family’s farm, he pursued his vision with his own funds and has become a leading expert in captive large carnivore behavior and sanctuary development. He works successfully with the USDA, the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian wildlife agencies, and has received recognition from many sources including the American Veterinary Association and the American Humane Association. Pat and his animals have been featured on National Geographic Channel, 60 Minutes News, Animal Planet, and major documentaries covering the captive wildlife crisis.