I feel so grateful I have the opportunity to be involved in an amazing foundation that’s dedicated to protecting and preserving endangered wildlife around the world.
My wife Barbara and I are honored to help fund the Animal Recovery Center. Director Dr. Paul Reillo has made it his life’s mission to save endangered animals.
This non-profit organization is called the Rare Species Conservatory. It’s a 40-acre preserve right up the road from my clinic. My good friend Dr. Paul Reillo started it in 1992.
Two of my staff had the opportunity to visit not long ago. They were invited to check out the facility’s brand-new Animal Recovery Center, a hurricane-proof animal hospital on the property. I am so humbled to say that the Sears Wellness Research Foundation was able to help make this important hospital a reality.
The star attraction of the Conservatory is a rare African antelope known as the Bongo. Before Paul started his conservation efforts, this species was critically endangered – with fewer than 100 left in the world.
And only a few dozen left in the wild. But Paul works tirelessly day and night – 365 days a year – to protect this species. And today, thanks to his efforts, the number of Bongos is increasing at an incredible rate.
This is exactly the kind of conservation I can get behind…
I don’t know who was more thrilled with the encounter – Daisy the Bongo or Rachel!
It just goes to show the power that one individual person – and not some grandiose government overreach – has when it comes to saving a species, the environment… and our our planet.
Paul’s mission is to raise and breed these rare Bongos – then repatriate them to their natural habitat in Kenya.
My staff told me about their meeting with these normally skittish creatures. They hopped on the back of Paul’s ATV and drove deep into the woods. After about five minutes, first one, then another, then another Bongo stepped out from the brush to check them out.
While these are wild creatures that have not been domesticated, their curiosity got the better of them. And before long, one of them – a young female named Daisy – came over to the ATV and started nuzzling their hands, then licking them them up and down their arms to get a taste of the salt.
I wish I’d been there for that!
You Can Save An Animal’s Life
- Make a difference. To learn more about the Rare Species Conservatory – and help them in their efforts to protect endangered animals – please click this link and make a tax-deductible donation to this important cause.
- Let the animals entertain you. If you’d like your own behind-the-scenes tour of the sanctuary, you can log on to their free YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/rarespec.
- Get involved. The Rare Species Conservatory wants you to join the fight to protect the planet. And the best way is to stay informed. Sign up for their Newsletter by clicking this link. And reach out to wildlife centers in your community to see if they need volunteers.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD, CNS