Barry Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary & Educational Center

Ten years ago, Dana arrived at the Barry Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary and Educational Center in Oroville, CA, severely malnourished and underweight. The year-old white Bengal tiger should have weighed well over 100 pounds; she weighed 60. In desperate hunger, Dana had eaten a towel, which remained lodged in her stomach. One of her legs was longer than the others, rickets crippled her body and she suffered from entropic eyes.

Today, thanks to three surgeries, abundant food, and loving care, Dana lounges serenely in her enclosure at the Sanctuary. She has transformed from an emaciated cub into a majestic tigress. As Assistant Director Joan Gulla says, “Dana has a very sad story, but we’re her happy ending.”

Since opening in 1994, the Sanctuary has been the happy ending for countless wild animals, both exotics and Northern California natives. The Sanctuary was founded by Barry R. Kirshner, who envisioned a haven for special needs animals that could inspire children. Tragically, Barry died in an automobile accident only a year after establishing the Sanctuary. Barry’s efforts were not in vain, however. After her son’s death, Roberta Kirshner resolved to carry on his life’s work. As a child, Roberta had lived next to Universal Studios’ exotic animal trainer. Although the trainer initially told Roberta that exotics was “not a woman’s industry,” Roberta’s persistence won her a one-of-a-kind apprenticeship that shaped not only her career but her whole life. Now, Roberta, her niece Joan Gulla, and a host of dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to care for more than 100 resident animals.

The Barry Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary boasts more species of wild cats than many zoos, including a serval, an ocelot, snow leopards, Amur leopards, clouded leopards, lions, tigers and a range of lion-tiger mixes (ligers, tiligers, liligers). As the name “sanctuary” implies, the center offers a home to animals who cannot survive in the wild. In addition to the cats, the Sanctuary’s residents include a colorful array of parrots, European brown bears, wallabies, an alligator discovered in Butte Creek and the only wolf in Butte County. Under Roberta’s expert instruction, the center rehabilitates and releases native species, like deer and bald eagles, who need special care to return to the wild. Exotic species generally come to the Sanctuary because they have stories like Dana’s or because they have special needs. Joan points out that although captive breeding is essential to the preservation of many endangered species, the limited gene pool often results in genetic disorders. Whether or not they have special needs, all of the Sanctuary’s exotic animals were born in captivity, which means they lack the skills to survive in the wild, and therefore cannot be released.

According to Roberta and Joan, the animals at the Sanctuary have an important purpose; they serve as ambassadors for their species. School groups and the public can stop by from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, or reserve a guided tour performed at eight education levels and in nine languages. This breadth of language is possible partly because of the center’s proximity to Butte College and Chico State, which makes it an excellent, accredited internship opportunity for college students to earn up to 15 transferable units. The Sanctuary, which runs on 100% volunteer power, welcomes any volunteer over the age of 16.

Each visit to the Barry Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary emphasizes wildlife conservation. As Joan says, “Less than 10,000 tigers are left in the world, and only about 3,400 in the wild. I don’t think people realize that.” Roberta adds that conservation applies not only to large exotic animals but also to small local creatures. “Everything affects the ecosystem,” Roberta says, “Even frogs and grasshoppers are so important. We’re losing a lot of species because there is not a lot of conservation going on.”

In addition to playing their natural roles in the world’s ecosystem, wild animals can encourage and inspire humans in many ways. After the Camp Fire, the Sanctuary invited families to visit the animals for free as a respite from the trauma. For cancer patients and other people with serious health issues, the Sanctuary visits homes with some of the animals to bring a little bit of sunshine. Roberta recalls a non-verbal six-year-old who visited the Sanctuary with his parents. A few days later, the family returned because the child had used pictures to ask to visit again. When asked which animal he wanted to see, the child pointed to the tiger and said, “Ti.” Roberta says, “That was his first word, and he hasn’t stopped talking since.”

Samson, one of the Sanctuary’s lions, particularly inspires children. He arrived at the Sanctuary several years ago as a cub who could scarcely move. The collaboration of multiple veterinarians uncovered Samson’s condition: osteogenesis imperfecta. This rare bone disorder had riddled Samson’s bones with hairline fractures. Roberta decided to give the cub a fighting chance. With a safe environment and an array of supplements, Samson gained the strength to stand and even walk. “We get children who also have osteogenesis imperfecta,” says Roberta. “They see how happy the lion is and it inspires them that just because you have a challenge doesn’t mean you can’t have a quality of life. Every life matters. Everyone deserves a home and care and love.”

The Sanctuary welcomes visitors, sponsors, financial and materials donors, and volunteers! For more information, visit their website or call 530-533-1000.