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From The Observer News
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To the left, a grey wolf paces nervously in his cage, to the right a Florida black bear watches impassively as the visitors admire the big cats. Along with Aries are more than 20 other jungle cats, three bears, baboons, alligators, a whole host of birds and a small pack of capybaras. For each of the animals, home is in Wimauma at Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary. For virtually all of them, it is the end of the road – they came to this place from circuses, well intentioned but misguided homes, and other wildlife sanctuaries that have given way to development. None of them can be returned to the wild. But thanks to a handful of dedicated volunteers, they have a home and lives in South Hillsborough. Krumroy made her way down the path between the cages carrying a small, white, fluffy object in her hand. It was a six-week old Fennec fox – the smallest fox in the world. Even in adulthood, the fox will be smaller than a typical housecat weighing only three pounds. And a good portion of that weight is likely to be found in the fox’s extra-large ears. After giving the tiny fox a chance to play in the grass, she handed him off to a volunteer and made her way over to the lion’s cage. When Arius saw her, he began to bounce. This wasn’t the low growl, rub-his-face-on-the-chain-link-fence happiness - this was bouncing like Tigger from Winnie The Pooh happiness. Krumroy carefully entered his cage and was immediately met with a gigantic hug. She sat on the floor of the cage and Arius – all 400 pounds of him – tried to sit on her lap. From the smallest fox in the world, the sanctuary is also home to the largest rodent in the world. The capybara is related – at least scientifically - to mice and guinea pigs – but they are much, much larger. They can grow to a length of 53 inches and weigh in at 140 pounds in adulthood. They are herbivores with large heads and blunt snouts and are as at home in the water as they are on land. They are docile creatures primarily from South America and are quite shy. When the visitors entered their pen, they nervously slipped into the water of their pond and peered out from underneath a small dock. Ted Greenwood founded Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary. Greenwood was a licensed trapper for Hillsborough County who trapped and released everything from possums to rattlesnakes. Fifteen years ago he began rescuing and rehabilitating small wildlife such as birds and raccoons. In 1998, he met with a property owner in Wimauma to create a space for rescued large animals. As the years went by the number of animals increased – and so have the expenses. Greenwood passed away earlier this year but his wife, Robin, works hard to ensure that his dream lives on. And that’s just the cats – the bears, alligators, baboons, parrots and capybaras also need to eat. The expenses are currently running in excess of $2,000 per month. The money comes from occasional donations and from the pockets of the volunteers. And for those volunteers, it is a gift of love – everyone at Elmira’s clearly loves the animals – and the feeling is clearly mutual. While the alligators showed little emotion, the cats, bears, baboons and birds all visibly responded to the sight of a volunteer. The mission at Elmira’s is more than simple survival. Everyone involved interacts with the animals as much as possible. That said, they are also allowed to be wild animals to the greatest degree possible as well. But despite the level of dedication involved, Elmira’s is looking for help from the community at large. They have a wish list that includes everything from dog toys to canned cat food to bowling balls to a full size pickup truck. According to literature from the sanctuary, a $25 donation will buy a 20 lb. bag of food for the parrots. A $50 donation will buy a Jolly Ball for Chuff-Chuff the tiger to play with. A $100 donation will buy a week’s worth of food for lions Casper and Sabrina and a $500 donation will buy a new concrete house for Elmira the bear. In many ways the toys and facilities are as important as the food. The animals began their lives as cute, irresistible babies. When they ceased being little, they were no longer wanted. "Most sanctuaries don’t breed their animals but baby cats bring in people," Greenwood said referring to sanctuaries that charge admission. "When they get too big to handle, they don’t want them anymore." Other animals were purchased illegally as house pets but soon outgrew their homes. Their only crime was that they grew up. But they were taught to depend upon humans when they were born - and the staff at Elmira’s make sure that people don’t let them down now that they’re grown up. But the sanctuary needs more than money. "We need money, chickens and men," said Krumroy with a smile. At a consumption rate of 100 pounds per day, the chickens go without saying – as does the money. But currently Gensimore is the only male volunteer and Krumroy and Greenwood are hoping for a few men to help with some of the more physical work. That doesn’t mean, of course, that female volunteers will be turned away – quite the opposite – all help is welcome. That includes volunteers for fund raising and office duties. Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501c3 non-profit corporation. Tax exempt donations may be made through their website at www.elmiraswildlife.org or mailed to PO Box 77484, Tampa, FL, 33675. Volunteer Your Time For information on other types of donations or to volunteer your time, call 634-4115 (leave a message – the volunteers are usually out with the animals) or email : info@elmiraswildlife.org.
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