Inside Alveus Sanctuary: From Frogs to Foxes

Summary

Ever wondered what it's like at an animal sanctuary? Alveus Sanctuary, a non-profit rescue and education center since 2021, opens its doors to reveal incredible rescued animals and their stories. Meet Georgie, an African bullfrog, the second-largest frog species, who can absorb oxygen through its skin while buried for months. Then there's Toast, a blue-tongued skink, whose story highlights the dangers of biomagnification, where pesticides move up the food chain, harming wildlife. Noodle, a coastal carpet python, demonstrates how snakes constrict rather than use venom. Madagascar hissing cockroaches, often misunderstood, are vital detritivores cleaning up decaying matter. Tortellini, an emperor scorpion, glows under blacklight, a fascinating but unexplained phenomenon. The sanctuary also houses emus like Stompy, descendants of survivors of the Great Emu War, and tiny marmosets, rescued from the pet trade and suffering from metabolic bone disease. Finn, an American red fox, shows the impact of selective breeding for the fur and pet trades. Wolf dogs Awa and Akela, rescued from roadside zoos and abandonment, showcase the importance of apex predators in ecosystems, as Alveus now aims to breed endangered Mexican gray and red wolves. Winnie the Moo, a rescued beef cow, turns four, highlighting the environmental impact of beef consumption. Serrano and Jalapeno, donkeys rescued from slaughter, and Mia, an African grey parrot, demonstrate complex needs and the challenges of keeping exotic pets. The sanctuary also features Macaws, Tico and Miley, a loving same-sex couple, and chickens, used to educate about misleading food labels. Viewers can support Alveus through donations and by watching their 24/7 live streams on Twitch and YouTube, which also helps monitor animals like a fox with a seizure disorder.