Indian River County lies in close proximity to several sanctuaries for magnificent exotic animals, including elephants, chimpanzees and big cats, but Florida’s native wildlife is equally important, with many species threatened and endangered.
Today, thanks to support from Peter W. Busch, one of Vero’s most prominent residents, more than 5,000 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals each year benefit from the rescue and rehabilitative efforts of the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter.
The organization got its start in Miami in 1983 as the Animal Rehabilitation Center through an affiliation with that city’s Audubon Society.
Approximately 10 years later, David Hitzig, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary founder and director, moved the operation to Jupiter.
He primarily operated rescue efforts out of his backyard before a fortuitous meeting with Busch would make his dream facility a reality.
“I was looking for someone with a bald eagle to come and talk with employees,” says Busch, whose Southern Eagle Distributorship logo sports a flying eagle. “That opened the door for us to work together on other conservation projects.”
Shortly thereafter, Busch found an injured owl and learned that there were no governmental agencies to assist with wounded wildlife. He again contacted Hitzig, who says with a smile, “That’s when I took out all the crinkled dream maps.”
In 1994 the Peter W. Busch Family Foundation donated the seed money to get the sanctuary off the ground.
The family has remained committed to the mission through contributions and hands-on involvement.
“When thinking where to put this, we looked at several locations, including Vero, and then the Loxahatchee River District offered this land,” says Hitzig. “There was a lot of interest, but just to put in the infrastructure and make things happen was going to take an awful lot.”
The property offered was outfitted with sewer and water, but Busch says, “Other than that, there was nothing but trees; mostly pepper trees.”
“It was wall-to-wall Brazilian pepper, agrees Hitzig. “We pulled all that out and it was so neat to see all the native vegetation come back.”
Today, shady nature trails wind through the property, with boardwalks extended over ponds enjoyed by hundreds of turtles and water birds.
Hitzig credits the limited presence of mosquitoes to mosquitofish, aka gambusia, saying, “With a balanced eco-system, very rarely do we have a problem with mosquitoes.”
An army of volunteers augment the 17 full-time staff members, helping to clean and maintain enclosures and providing the animals with individualized, healthy diets.
Additionally, Busch notes, “Everything you see here has been given to us or built by various groups; it’s all donated.”
As word of their achievements spread, an ever increasing number of animals were brought in for care, necessitating continual expansion and improvements.
Over the years, the leased property has grown from seven acres to 25 and an entryway gift shop was added. Most recently, work on an improved kitchen was completed and ground has been broken on an expanded panther exhibit.
Medical director and veterinarian Dr. Heather Johnston and animal care director Amy Kight oversee the operation of a newly enlarged hospital building, which boasts an exam room, X-Ray machine and surgical suite, where veterinarians can now work on site.
“We’ve got a lot of great vets; really great vets, and a lot of state-of-the-art expertise,” says Busch. “Because of what we have done here, other clinics around the country use our techniques.”
The basic mission of the sanctuary is education, rehabilitation and, whenever possible, re-release into the wild. At any given time, between 400 to 500 animals, predominantly those native to Florida, call the sanctuary home.
Most of the thousands brought to the sanctuary are just passing through, such as the cute little baby barn owl with a broken wing, or the not-so-cuddly endangered crocodile that had to have a steel hook it swallowed removed.
Animals incapable of living in the wild become permanent residents, including a one-eyed skunk, illegally raised “pets,” such as a neutered and declawed bobcat, or even a non-native bush baby, an African primate found at a place where people feed feral cats.
“He’d come right up and take the food,” says Hitzig. “We suspect it either escaped from somewhere or it was a pet that someone didn’t want anymore.”
Ninety percent of all wildlife injuries are caused by humans, with car collisions being the No. 1 factor.
“Other injuries are caused by fishing line entanglement, dog or cat attacks, occasional electrocutions, poisonings, and an alarming number of illegal gunshot injuries,” says Hitzig.
“Which to me is the worst of the worst,” adds Busch. “It’s somebody knowing that what they’re doing is just malicious. That’s why it’s so important to raise a greater awareness.”
Hetzig advises people to use common sense when attempting to rescue injured wild animals and to bring them to the sanctuary for proper care as soon as possible.
Endeavoring to feed, comfort or handle wild animals can be harmful to all involved.
The recent purchase of a new ambulance vehicle to rescue and transport injured wildlife from Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties should help.
Upwards of 100,000 people visit the sanctuary each year, touring the winding trails and enjoying educational programs in the Cypress Amphitheater.
At least another 50,000 are afforded the chance to get up close and personal with some of the smaller animals when staff takes the show on the road for outreach programs at schools, organizations and environmental events.
“This is what it’s all about,” says Busch, pointing to groups of school children.
Peter Busch’s famed family has a long history of bringing people and wildlife together.
His father, August A. Busch, Jr. spearheaded efforts with St. Louis Zoo Executive Director George Vierheller to eliminate steel cages with cement floors in favor of natural settings, and later established Florida’s Busch Gardens and Sea World.
“The next generation is going to have to take care of these when we’re no longer around,” he adds. “It was designed to be a really relaxing place and friendly for kids; to show them a little about Florida’s natural environment and the animals around them.”
Operating expenses are approximately $1 million per year, plus whatever capital projects are in the works.
The sanctuary relies solely on tax-free donations for support; it receives no government funding.
“Two years ago we had an independent financial audit,” says Busch. “We used a group in Vero Beach who said they’d never seen anything like it: 96 percent of the money raised goes directly to care of the animals. Only 4 percent goes to administration and salaries. Find another 501(c)3 (nonprofit) that’s this big, with this kind of budget that only spends 4 percent on salaries and administration.”
As an owl sits on the ground, spreading its wings in the sun, Horvitz explains that one reason they sit that way on the ground is to attract ants that eat bird mites. Who knew?
“See? Every time I come down here I learn something new,” Busch says with a big grin.
For visiting hours, sponsorship opportunities or additional information, visit www.buschwildlife.org.