Panther Ridge Nonprofit Aims To  Save Big Cats From Extinction

The Panther Ridge Conservation Center, located in the Palm Beach Point community, is a special place — and also one of Wellington’s most unique nonprofit organizations.

Panther Ridge, founded in 1999 by Judy Berens, is a place where you can come face-to-face with a black leopard or a clouded leopard, or perhaps a jaguar or cougar.

The common thread between these animals is that they are all exotic cats with dwindling numbers in the wild.

“We have eight species, and certainly two of them will be gone from the wild in 20 years, it’s predicted,” Berens said.

Originally, she founded Panther Ridge as a rescue facility for exotic large cats in need.

“But now, it has evolved to become an education mission to help people understand the threats against wildlife that exist in the world today — and the fact that many of the species that are housed at Panther Ridge will be extinct within their range habitats within the next 20 years, if not sooner,” Berens said.

It costs approximately $150,000 a year to care for the animals, and the costs quickly add up, between food, vitamins, medicines, habitats and, of course, enrichment and toys.

“We depend on the generosity of individuals and corporations,” Berens said.

To help support the animals, Berens offers several types of tours of the facility.

A tour at Panther Ridge is a unique, intimate experience. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the cats, their stories, their species and how they live.

If you listen carefully, it’s possible to hear the purr of Charlie, a cheetah. When the sun beams at just the right angle, you can see the spots on Amos, a black leopard who has been at Panther Ridge since he was a week old.

Last year, Mateo, a jaguar, and Meeka, a cougar, joined the Panther Ridge family as cubs. Over the last few months, they’ve grown up immensely, continuously changing.

Berens and her team have strong bonds with the feline residents of Panther Ridge and enjoy sharing their knowledge of these very rare cats.

With rapidly dwindling numbers in the wild, and only some species having enough genetic diversity for captive breeding, Panther Ridge offers an exquisite glimpse into the lives of majestic creatures that may not exist in the wild for much longer. Captive breeding might be the only way to save them.

“In the last 20 years, I have seen such a paradigm shift in the situation for animals in the wild. I am not only considering, but embracing the concept of captive breeding for some of these species that will surely be extinct in the wild very shortly,” Berens said.

As the situation for the animals has changed, she has adjusted the mission of Panther Ridge.

“As the world has evolved, we have evolved. Now we are trying to put our efforts where they will be more impactful,” Berens said. “The concept of returning animals to the wild, although it is beautifully idealistic, where is that wild to put them back into, after the forest has been cut down and the jungle has been cut down? The wild will not exist.”

With their natural habitat dwindling, there is only so much people can do. Berens suggests becoming involved in worldwide conservation efforts and finding good quality, local projects to support.

“That will be making a difference in the everyday lives and survival of these animals,” Berens explained. “The impact of man on the environment is what’s causing the rest of them to go over the edge.”

At Panther Ridge, Berens and her team work with conservation centers around the world, gathering information about the cats and their behavior. Sharing information about the animals, their medical histories and their behaviors is crucial for efforts to help them survive.

School groups visit Panther Ridge and are able to observe and learn about the cats in an up-close-and-personal atmosphere that is unique to Panther Ridge.

There are many ways the local community can choose to support Panther Ridge. The nonprofit conservation center offers tours by appointment only, either with Berens herself or with her team. During a tour, guests learn about the residents and conservation efforts.

Sponsorship adoptions are available for the cats that go toward their care and needs. Donations are also helpful. On the Panther Ridge web site is a wish list of items such as a GoPro camera, playground mulch, cleaner, bleach, lumber and metal leaf rakes that are used to care for the cats and their habitats.

Panther Ridge also hosts several fundraising events each year, and it is possible to make Panther Ridge the recipient of a school or organization fundraiser. Fascinated by big cats and looking to help out? Panther Ridge also accepts volunteers.

For more information, call the Panther Ridge Conservation Center at (561) 795-8914 or visit www.pantherridge.org.