The Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary is a hidden gem located on the Big Island of Hawaii, just above the town of Kailua-Kona. Founded in 1998, the sanctuary is a private, non-profit organization that is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of rare, endangered, and exotic animals.
One of the biggest challenges for the founders was obtaining the licenses and permits necessary to operate in Hawaii. The State Department of Agriculture is very cautious about issuing possession permits, as Hawaii has had problems in the past with animals escaping into the fragile ecosystem or permit holders suddenly becoming unable to care for their animals. After multiple hearings and interviews, the sanctuary was granted the necessary permits to possess a wide range of animal species.
The facility is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as the applicable State and County agencies. They hold Federal Wildlife permits for the possession of raptors and endangered species. However, the sanctuary no longer does wildlife rehabilitation, and they do not breed animals, with the exception of a rare or endangered species bred at the request of a State or Federal agency as part of a Species Survival Plan (SPS).
The Three Ring Ranch is home to a diverse range of animals, including zebras, nene (a species of Hawaiian goose), hawks, owls, flamingos, and reptiles, as well as many other rare, endangered, and exotic creatures. The animals live out their natural lives at the sanctuary, and their residents are not available for adoption or purchase.
As a true sanctuary, the facility is not open to the general public. The goal is to keep the animals in an environment as free from stress and hazards as possible. However, the sanctuary tries to share these animals with the community through teaching programs for school children, community lectures, private tours, and an educational pavilion which they bring to community events. The Three Ring Ranch’s mission is to positively impact the environment while educating Hawaii’s children about their place in the natural world. Their goal is to assist in the development of an environmentally responsible generation of youth, teaching them about the fragile ecosystem they impact on a daily basis, while giving visitors a rare chance to see the animals up close.
In addition to educating the community, the sanctuary also participates in conservation efforts to help protect endangered species. They work with government agencies and other organizations to provide support for the conservation and management of Hawaii’s native species.
The Three Ring Ranch is a unique and important organization that is doing important work to preserve the natural world and educate the community about the importance of conservation. Through their efforts, they are helping to create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
