COVID-19 Updates
May 2021
Face masks are now optional in compliance with the Executive order from Governer Desantis.
September 2020
We are open 10am to 4:30pm Monday – Saturday including our indoor Discovery Center. We are following all recommended policies issued by Palm Beach County, the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure the health and safety of our guests, staff, and volunteers. Face Coverings required for guests ages 2 and up. Please remember to social distance. We hope to see you soon!
June 23, 2020
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is complying with the Palm Beach County mandate for face masks to be worn in public. Please wear a face mask when visiting. We thank you for helping us cooperate with this new county order!
May 20, 2020
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary will Reopen to Guests on Friday, May 22
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary will reopen and welcome back guests this week. The Sanctuary has made important changes to its operations to ensure the health and safety of all guests, volunteers, staff and wildlife patients. The Sanctuary is following best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is participating in the State of Florida’s Safe. Smart. Step-By-Step Plan for Florida’s full recovery from COVID-19.
The Sanctuary will resume its general operating hours from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon–Sat., with a limited guest count, additional sanitizing, social distancing signage, extra hand sanitizer stations and increased health and safety policies. Additionally, both Sanctuary staff and volunteers will be required to wear face coverings. The Sanctuary also asks guests to wear face coverings and practice social distancing. Please plan on bringing your own water bottles when you visit. To ensure guest safety, water fountains will be closed.
Staff or volunteers will be stationed at the gate and in the parking area to greet guests and regulate capacity requirements guest capacity will be limited to guests parking in designated guest parking spaces within the Loxahatchee River District’s property (approx. 25%). Entrance will be at the side gate to the east of the Welcome Center with a greeter table for brochures and donations. The exit will be on the small trail leading to Pineland Nature Trail.
Organized Groups of less than 10 people will be permitted but will need to schedule with Education before arrival. Group Tours of less than 10 people will be available by appointment.
“We are all in this together and staff along with animal ambassadors look forward to welcoming guests and volunteers back to the Sanctuary. The health and safety of our staff, guests, volunteers and wildlife patients are our top priorities, and in response to this global pandemic, we have reworked our daily operations to provide the utmost safety and health standards possible,” said Lisa Wynne, Assistant Director. “We look forward to guests to visit us, but to also be a part of the solution by adhering to best practices administered by the CDC.”
In alignment with the state’s reopening, the Sanctuary is:
⦁ Pausing public programs
⦁ Prohibiting access to indoor spaces and picnic areas
Together, we can move forward!
May 12, 2020
COVID-19 Update:
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is working on a re-opening plan in the near future. Please stay tuned to our social media for the latest updates and our daily virtual programs!
Gratitude Drive-by May 17 at 11 am
We want to thank everyone for their generous support during these trying times while complying with CDC guidelines. On this Sunday May 17th from 11 am until noon, we would love to show you our gratitude! Please join a social distanced parade down Jupiter Park Drive (the road the Sanctuary is located on) so our staff, volunteers and animal ambassadors can thank you for your kindness. Word on the street is there will be a special appearance from our new neighbor, Furry Friends and a special treat from our friends at I Need Coffee. Make sure to come by and see us!
April 7, 2020
Ongoing Precautions: Busch Wildlife COVID-19 Update 5
Thank you for tuning in to our weekly updates! We hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy and safe.
During this time of isolation, we want to continue to provide virtual programs for you and your families to watch at home. We thank you for your continued support of the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and our mission of rescue, rehab, release and educate.
We are aware that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19 and we want to assure you that we are taking the safety of our staff and animals very seriously.
See below for some updates.
Hospital Spotlight:
Our 4 woman hospital team is working hard to accept and care for animals without the help of our normal volunteers.
These are two Great Horned Owl fledglings that are in our large rehab flight enclosures. They try to make themselves look bigger to avoid predators.
This Blue Jay was brought into us with a shoulder injury. He is being given medical treatment and will be release when it has fully healed!
It's Baby Season!
We get in many babies that are thought to be abandoned. If you suspect an animal has been abandoned, please call the Sanctuary at 561-575-3399.
An Osprey Release.
We are very proud of our hospital staff for rehabilitating two Ospreys that were able to be released this past week. Ospreys are one of the hardest animals to provide care to and successfully release. Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management has partnered with us to provide the optimal release sites for our rehabbed animals.
March 31, 2020
We continue to support the community: Busch Wildlife COVID-19 Update 4
Thank you for tuning in to our weekly updates! We are grateful to be able to continue our mission and provide virtual programs for the community.
We hope you and your families are staying safe during this time and we thank you for your continued support of the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and our mission.
See below for some updates.
Hospital Spotlight:
Our 4 woman hospital team is working hard to accept and care for animals without the help of our normal volunteers.
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This past week a snapping turtle was brought into the wildlife hospital after being hit by a car. Here is an update photo of her shell that is healing. She is carrying eggs as you can see from the below X-ray
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Last week, we accepted this common grackle that was stuck on a glue trap. We removed the glue with mineral oil. He is missing a lot of feathers including all of his tail feathers. We are providing him with medical care and rest he needs to recover and regrow his feathers.
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It's Baby Season! We get in many babies that are thought to be abandoned. It is important to make sure they are actually orphaned before removing them from their nest/surroundings. Mom is the best nurturer for wild animals!
You can still be involved with the Sanctuary on social media. Join us for our virtual programs on Facebook and get some educational activities!
Weekly Schedule:
Mondays- Alligator Feeding at 4 pm
Wednesdays- Storytime at 9:30 am
Thursdays- Hunters of the Sky 12:30 pm
Fridays- Reptiles Rule at 12:30 pm
Saturdays- Wildlife Encounters 11 am and 2:30 pm
Everyday- Wildlife Encounters at 3 pm
March 24, 2020
We are committed to our Mission:
Amid all of the uncertainty and challenges, we sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are well. It is no secret that we love wildlife.
While we are closed to the public, we are overjoyed that we can continue our mission of wildlife rescue, rehab, release and education. The Sanctuary is continuing to accept sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and also released a few rehabilitated patients. THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to keep the mission going!
See below for some updates.
We had 83 animal intakes this week!
Hospital Spotlight:
Our 4 woman hospital team is working hard to accept and care for animals without the help of our normal volunteers.
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This week a snapping turtle was brought into the wildlife hospital after being hit by a car. Our hospital team is providing it with the care it needs to recover and be released back into the wild.
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We got in our first baby birds. Four common grackles were brought in due to a case of abandonment.
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A mom opossum came in with minor wounds. She is being treated with her baby and they will be released as a family unit when mom has healed.
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Similar to the recent Great Horned Owl we released, an owl came into us with respiratory infection. She is receiving nebulizing treatments twice a day, tube feeding, medications, and fluid therapy. She wasn’t able to stand or hold her head up upon admission. Now, she is able to stand and is starting to get some personality back!
You can still be involved with the Sanctuary on social media. Join us for our virtual programs on Facebook and get some educational activities!
Weekly Schedule:
Mondays- Alligator Feeding at 4 pm
Wednesdays- Storytime at 9:30 am
Thursdays- Hunters of the Sky 12:30 pm
Fridays- Reptiles Rule at 12:30 pm
Saturdays- Wildlife Encounters 11 am and 2:30 pm
Everyday- Wildlife Encounters at 3 pm
March 16, 2020
In this unprecedented time, everything is being impacted in a way that never could have been expected. At the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, supporters, animals, and the public is our utmost priority.
For the public:
We are taking the recommendations of the Governor and the CDC very seriously. Due to the threat of the COVID-19 virus we will be closing the Sanctuary to the public as of Tuesday, March 17 until further notice. All upcoming events will be canceled/postponed.
Upcoming events:
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Alligator and Crocodile Enclosure Grand Opening (March 26) – Postponed until further notice
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Eat, Learn, Grow: Let it Rot (March 17)* – Cancelled
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Night Walk (March 28)* - Cancelled
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Volunteer Orientations – Cancelled until further notice.
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Easter Egg Hunt (April 4)* – Cancelled
*If you have purchased tickets for these events, please consider donating the cost of the ticket or email us for a voucher for a future event.
PLEASE – If you are in a position to help the sanctuary make it through this difficult time, we would appreciate anything you can give. Loss of revenue from daily donations and education programming amounts to $1,000 - $1,500 per day. These funds are necessary for Busch Wildlife Sanctuary to continue our mission. Being a nonprofit, we rely on public support. During this time, we are in need of your help and support to care for the animals at the Sanctuary and incoming patients in the wildlife hospital. If you are in a position to help the Sanctuary through this time, please consider it. We are expecting donations to drop due to the economic state of the country and will need the support more than ever. Click Here
For our staff/volunteers/animals:
In addition to the closing of the Sanctuary to the public, we are also implementing proactive precautions for our essential staff who will still be coming in to care for the animals. Volunteers who are normally scheduled will be asked to stay home for their well-being.
While the Sanctuary is closed, we will continue to accept injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife to our hospital.Please call ahead (561-575-3399) before you come to drop-off animals, as we will have new protocols in place. During this time, our regular volunteer rescuers will not be available. If there is a situation involving wildlife that is a threat to public safety, please call and we will do our best to assist with the limited team.
Thank you for your support and understanding during this time.