Busch Wildlife announced it would be moving to a new location, 17855 Rocky Pines Road, Jupiter Farms, Fla., 33478, after 40 years of being open in Jupiter, Fla. The grand opening is set for Oct.14 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will feature book signings, face painting, food trucks and attractions; admission is by donations only. 

The new location, now known as “Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at Abramson & Schlaggar Reserve,” offers 19.4 acres of land, which is around triple the size available at their old location. Within the new facility, there will be more than 20 different new habitats, viewing areas within the hospital, educational features and a hurricane-safe building for the animals which is large enough to house all of the large mammals in case of a hurricane. 

One of the most challenging parts of this move will be transporting all of the animals from the sanctuary. To accomplish this, the animals will be transported at three a.m. when the weather is more suitable and traffic is slow. The larger animals will also be medicated with anesthesia to help calm them before the move.  

Busch Wildlife originated in Miami in 1983. The nonprofit organization currently has around 200 animals they take care of and house. Over the years, the sanctuary has taken in over 6,000 injured animals, staying true to their main goal which is taking care of wildlife in need.  

Busch has always taken in injured, orphaned, or sick animals to either rehabilitate or adopt them. Theo Bouwman, senior, was a volunteer at the Jupiter location for over a year. 

“I got to give the animals medicine and some of the baby animals had to be tubed to be fed, so I also got to do that. I worked with tons of different animals like blue jays, deer, foxes and owls,” Bouwnan said. 

Sloan Vulgaris, senior, had an internship at Busch and got to work first hand with the different aspects of rehabilitation.

“I’ve helped with rehabilitation, feedings, cleaning, and releases. I was also able to distribute meds and help out with triage. I had the opportunity to release bunnies twice. We would find a nice green area with lots of vegetation away from people to release the animals,” Vulgaris said. 

The animal hospitals’ new facility is nearly four times the old size, which was necessary for the increase of animals in need of care. There will also be a larger amphitheater and a new playground looking out to the fox enclosure for kids. 

“[The new Busch Wildlife] sounds so fun. I’ll definitely be there,” Celia Moon, junior, said.