The St. Augustine Wild Reserve is a non-profit corporation created as a rescue center for unwanted exotic animals. Many individuals obtain an exotic pet, only to realize that the animal's wild nature doesn't fit into their life (or their household) as they expected. This is where we come in. The Reserve will take in unwanted exotic animals as an alternative to euthanasia. Some of the Reserve’s animals came from abusive homes. Two wolves were rescued when their owner was involved in a fatal auto accident. Many of our animals were confiscated by wildlife agencies from individuals who held these animals without proper state permits, or who starved their animals, maintaining them in inferior conditions.
Five Arctic wolves and an African lion were received from Michael Jackson, who no longer wanted them at his ranch near Santa Barbara. The Founder of the Reserve, Deborah Warrick, has worked with exotic animals all of her life, having received extensive training at the Los Angeles Zoo. She has received her AA Degree, and B.S. Degree in Holistic Nutrition to better care for the animals’ nutritional needs. She earned her B.S. degree in Biology in 2011, graduating Magna Cum Laude.