I've been visiting my in-laws in Florida once a year ever since they purchased their condo in 1987. We're as comfortable and familiar with the area they live in as we are at home in New Jersey.
We have a number of places we always visit while we're there, but during our last visit we added a new one: Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, a nonprofit reserve dedicated to the conservation and protection of Florida's wildlife and natural resources.
After we arrived at the Welcome Center one of the volunteers warmly greeted us and explained the mission and layout of the preserve. He handed us pamphlets to guide us on our tour, and then answered my animal-loving questions.
Photo Credit: Wildlife Times and Peeking Panther buschwildlife.org
We learned that the Sanctuary has a wildlife hospital where it cares for sick, injured or orphaned wild animals - over 5,000 every year. After receiving appropriate medical care they are rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
This parrot was as entertaining as it was beautiful. What gorgeous colors! I was smitten. (NOTE: All cages in the sanctuary are roomier than they appear in my photos.)
Unfortunately we also learned that some animals become permanent residents after being illegally owned and harmed. They are unable to return to the wild, so they live their lives out at the preserve. They are well cared for.
These two panthers were rescued from someone who illegally "adopted" them and had them declawed. The panthers are now permanent residents at the preserve. I wouldn't want to run into them, but I'll fight for their right to live free and unharmed.
(Editor's Note: Some people are just plain crazy! Owning and declawing panthers? For what purpose? Shame on them. We were told they were caught and prosecuted.)
Since 1981 the sanctuary offers educational programs for people of all ages to learn about the importance of maintaining safety when coming into contact with wild animals, and how to protect the natural resources of Florida.
I watched this parrot as he took care of his friend who was in need of some TLC. Isn't nature incredible?
When we left the Welcome Center and began walking along the nature trails we were immediately struck by the quiet and calm of the preserve.
Each trail is clearly marked, and we decided to take our time by making a loop around the entire area so we could visit all of the animals.
Aren't they adorable? (L) Red Barred Hawk (R) Owl
The beauty of pine flatwoods, oak hammocks and cypress wetlands surrounded us as we walked the grounds to view a wide variety of animals - from eagles, parrots and owls to panthers, bears, crocodiles and bobcats.
I will never grow tired of tropical plantings. They have a beauty all their own.
My family's love of animals goes beyond cats and dogs. It wraps itself around all creatures who roam our planet. That's why we fell in love with the work being done at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary who nurture and protect all animals from further harm.
The beautifully majestic eagle.
If you find yourself in the Jupiter area, do yourself a favor and visit this extraordinary sanctuary. You can visit their website to learn more about them. They are a 501(c) 3 organization and receive no funds from the government so they depend on financial support from caring people. They charge no fee but donations are accepted. (I purchased a T-shirt from their gift shop to show my support for their important work.)
Any donations of services, materials or your time are always needed and welcome.
Any outing with my husband and son must include a delicious meal, and this was no exception. After researching Yelp.com for restaurant reviews we decided on Captain Charlies Reef Grill in nearby Juno Beach. Their creative selections of all types of fresh fish, some we don't get at home, were delicious. So if you're planning on visiting Busch Wildlife Sanctuary I highly recommend stopping by Captain Charlies for lunch. Enjoy!
Delicious, mouth-watering fish from Captain Charlies Reef Grill in Juno Beach
What a wonderful place Cathy. Love your photos!
Reminders of Florida! Thanks for an enjoyable look at a good work!
Thanks for calling attention to this wonderful place. Oh, those birds!
Oh, it looks wonderful! That would be the first stop for me if I ever made it to that area. Love the photos you took and appreciate the vicarious tour, Cathy!
What a wonderful facility doing wonderful work. If I'm ever in the area I/we will definitely visit it. Thanks for sharing. ~Kathy
Loved your photos. Thanks for the education.
As much as I dislike seeing animals caged, I am happy that these animals have found a peaceful home. Declawing a panther. They should find the effing vet and take away her/his license to practice.
This sounds like a fabulously peaceful place to visit. My husband would love to see the Eagle that close!
It saddens me some of the wild creatures must live here, despite the fabulous care and compassion they clearly provide. But... I suppose it beats what COULD happen to them if not residing here.
Thank you for the fab tour of the place.
What a special place this sounds like - I will have to visit the next time i"m in that area - I've never known about it and I'm glad I do now. I love animals, too, of any form.
I went to a sanctuary like this in Costa Rica, it is so crazy what people do with exotic animals - what are they thinking!
What an amazing looking place and how perfect for you, the animal lover, to visit! I love those kinds of walks Cathy -- ones where you can do something you love, enjoy your surroundings and learn some cool new things! We should go on one together someday :)!
I will definitely visit this wonderful place on my next visit to the are.
The poor panthers, that is the cruelest thing, awful!
I am putting this on my list of place to go when we take our trip to florida.
Would love to visit there! Cathy, this spring you should take a ride over to Raptor Trust in Millington, not far from home... they do great work!
The world needs more place like this. We will be in Florida next year. ABSOLUTELY stopping in for a visit!! Thanks for spreading the word!
I live 2 hours from Jupiter....I must visit this beautiful sanctuary! Thanks for the "tour" Cathy!
Now that looks like fun! I would love to go there. We have some smaller sanctuaries where I live and I get upset at the way the animals are housed...well..maybe it's just me. Caging animals always upsets me, but I do love seeing them.
I love visiting animal sanctuaries, and am so grateful for the important work they do. Love seeing your photos and hearing about your experience.
Thanks for a very nice arm chair trip!!! I"m still in shock that someone actually "adopted" panthers and then had them declawed!!!! WTH???! Thanks again for a dose of sunshine for this cold snowy New Yorker!
I am happy that I discovered this site, precisely the right information that I was looking for! .