The Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation cares for a wide variety of animals, but the sanctuary offers much more.


What You Need To Know

  • More than 100 rescued animals currently live on the property

  • Big cats, hyenas, a rhino and more are cared for

You'll find Barry Janks out among the animals and numerous enclosures most days, working on some odd or end or doing the daily feedings. 

Driving from enclosure to enclosure, we took a look at what Janks and his wife, Christine, have created here at the Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation, a sanctuary for rescued wild animals in Gainesville. 

They have a variety of animals, including hyenas, a rhino, and one of their main focuses big cats. 

“They can just crunch right through those bones," Barry Janks said as he fed their cheetah, Abigail, a chicken leg. 

More than 100 rescued animals currently live on the property, since they opened their doors back in 2002, after a trip and a safari through Africa, seeing the need to help shelter the animals that could not be released back into the wild. 

So the Janks created a sanctuary and shelter for all. 

The Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation does offer a variety of tours of the facilities but you must book and schedule tours ahead of time.