St. Augustine Wild Reserve

Summary of Services

• Rescues and provides lifelong sanctuary for abused, neglected, or unwanted exotic animals.
• Cares for species, including wolves, tigers, lions, leopards, coyotes, and birds
• Does not breed or sell animals; focuses on lifetime care and respect
• Offers educational tours to teach visitors about each species and conservation efforts

Safeguarding Wildlife Through Rescue and Education

Founded in June 1995 by Deborah Warrick-Rossi, the St. Augustine Wild Reserve is a nonprofit organization with a clear mission: to rescue and provide lifelong sanctuary to abused, neglected, and unwanted exotic animals. The Reserve provides a haven for a wide variety of species, including wolves, tigers, lions, leopards, coyotes, birds, and other exotic wildlife.

These animals are kept solely for sanctuary, not reproduction or sale. Instead, they live in a compassionate, respectful environment where their needs come first. Spanning a 7-acre compound, the Reserve is both a sanctuary and an educational facility.

Visitors can book guided tours that offer an up-close look at the animals while learning about their unique behaviors, care requirements, and the broader issues facing their species in the wild. While photography is not permitted during tours, guests can purchase high-quality images on flash drives as a keepsake.

Educational tours are available to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m., and VIP tours are held on Fridays from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Additionally, two Saturday tours are offered by appointment only.

Book tours in advance online. To ensure accessibility, the Reserve provides golf carts for elderly visitors and those with mobility challenges.

Promoting Awareness of Poaching and the Illegal Wildlife Trade

Beyond providing care and education, the St. Augustine Wild Reserve strongly advocates for wildlife conservation. The organization actively raises awareness about the dangers of poaching and the illegal exotic animal trade, urging the public to recognize the importance of protecting these vulnerable animals.