Wild Wonders celebrates its 30th anniversary

BONSALL – Jackie Navarro started Wild Wonders, a wild animal refuge in Bonsall, in May 1991 with just a few animals: an Amazon parrot, a boa constrictor, a opossum, a desert tortoise, and a chinchilla. Since then, it has moved to its current 10-acre location in Bonsall with over 100 animal ambassadors.

Wild Wonders has provided tens of thousands of education programs for schools, libraries, scout troops, and other organizations, raised over $100,000 for Cheetah conservation, become a partner with conservation organizations around the world, survived two California wildfires and a worldwide pandemic, led conservation-focused safaris to Africa and Borneo, and its ambassadors have inspired thousands of guests to be better stewards of the world that they jointly share.

"The last five years have been exceptionally challenging," said Navarro. An evacuation during the Lilac fire and the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have decimated revenue and made cash flow very problematic.

When asked if she had any regrets about starting a wildlife rescue and education center, Navarro quickly replied, "None whatsoever. If I had it all to do over again knowing what I do now, I would still do it. It's all worthwhile when I see guests and schoolchildren make that first connection with wildlife. You can see their amazement on their faces as their eyes light up, and you know that their lives will never again be the same."

The refuge in Bonsall is where kids and adults can "tame" their curiosity for wildlife. Through live interactive programs and tours, the wildlife educators and their animal ambassadors take visitors on a dynamic adventure they will not forget. The goal of Wild Wonders is to excite the public and foster a desire to preserve and learn about wildlife and the important role they play in the planet they share with humans.

More information about Wild Wonders can be found at https://wildwonders.org/.

For further inquiries, onsite visits, or appearances contact

Jackie Navarro at 760-630-9230 or email her at [email protected].

Submitted by Wild Wonders.