Starting my own wildlife sancuary.?

Question

I want to start my own wildlife sanctuarty in Texas, specializing in one species of animal. I have checked Texan laws, and all I need is a Wildlife permit. I plan on buying atleast 60 acres, and having something open to the public. Which is the most intresting, and appealing species of animal to have sort of a small zoo of? (ex. Big Cats, Primates, Elephant..ect,ect.)

Answer 1

Exactly where will you obtain the animals from?  You may not be able to keep certain animals that are endangered..all elephants and tigers.  Do you mean to take in animals that you rescue from people keeping them as pets illegally or animals that have been kept legally but then abused and confiscated?  Will you work with local wildlife law enforcement (US Fish and Wildlife,etc.) to give you these animals? If you are just going to purchase the animals somehow you may be contributing to their decline in their natural habitat, as if people know you are looking for exotic animals to add to your collection..there could be some animals being poached or sold on the black market to meet your demands. Texas is notorious for animals being obtained through the black market.  Please do not make your "sancuary" be the reason animals are being killed in the wild.

Answer 2

It doesn't sound like you want to open a sanctuary, it sounds like you want to open a zoo.  Don't!  

They are expensive to run, the animals are difficult to care for and you'll just create a new place for animals to suffer.

If you want to help animals, donate money to a charity/organization/sanctuary that already exists.  Don't try and make money off the backs of helpless animals.  

Answer 3

well i like primates so id go for that option,good luck in your venture hope it all works out for you

Answer 4

what do you consider a wildlife sanctuary? I live in Texas too and i love sloths. I want to be a zoologist when i grow up(only in 6th grade...) Of corse, you should ask a poll of what is your favorite animal, and from there, decide on what to put in your "zoo". You will probbaly want to join the aza (assosian of zoo and aquariums) if you are running a "zoo". If it has native animals, than it isnt a zoo. If you put a elephant in, than it becomes a zoo. You would have a REALLY hard time competing with the SA zoo. it is the 3rd largest zoo in the us. I'm thinking that it will be a wildlife park although, so hire some staff (duh) and do a LOT of research!!! good luck! email me at [e-mail] if you open it!-

a (hopefully) helpfull 6th grader.

Answer 5

Have some Axolotls! (But give them lots of space)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl

Congrats on your wildlife sanctuary!

Answer 6

Hmm, something that is unique enough that people will want to come visit and maybe study.  Also something that will adapt to the climate.  

I've always liked large birds.  Big cats would be really cool, but they need a lot of space and I'm not sure how easy it would be to have them in a zoo.  Hmm... even buffalo would be cool!

That's a hard question.

Answer 7

I like cockroachs, but then I live in Flint