In the sun-drenched wilds of South Florida, a biologist and his girlfriend are creating a unique animal sanctuary on a 40-acre property in Ocala. Chris Gillette and Gabby Sampone are on a mission with Florida’s Wildest Animal Rescue not only to save animals but also to transform the public’s perception of some of the state’s most feared creatures.
“I was born and raised in Florida and grew up catching rattlesnakes and gators as a kid. I have been around wildlife my whole life and made their preservation my life mission,” says Chris, who has worked in various animal parks and appeared on wildlife TV shows for over a decade. Today, he and Gabby, a New York transplant who shares his passion for animals, are working towards their ultimate goal of providing a haven for rare and dangerous animals, as well as everyday wildlife in Florida.
Chris took a significant personal risk to fund the rescue by investing his life savings into the project. “This has been my dream my entire life, and I’m spending every cent I have on it,” he says.
The couple hopes to open the rescue to the public within weeks after completing an 8-foot-tall perimeter fence. Once fully operational, the sanctuary will be a place where visitors can learn about wildlife and be inspired to protect these incredible creatures and their habitats.
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The sanctuary is home to a unique array of residents, including iguanas with scoliosis, deformed turtles, and a 250-pound tortoise. Recent rescues also include a three-legged goat, a coatimundi (a South American raccoon relative), and foxes with adorably large ears. Chris notes that the foxes look like “Pokémon.”
A primary goal of the sanctuary is to change public perceptions of alligators. “A lot of these animals are misunderstood, feared, and hated by so many people. The root of the problem is misinformation. My goal is to create content that is fun and interesting, so people don’t hate them,” he explains.
“When people think of gators and crocs, they imagine them as mindless killing machines obsessed with eating humans, like in some monster movie,” Chris continues. “People don’t realize gators and crocs are incredibly intelligent animals capable of learning, training, and having intricate social lives. They are also keystone species in their ecosystems. I have gators better trained than most people’s dogs.”
His dedication to these often-misunderstood creatures is evident in his presentations and social media posts. “If you read my comments on social apps, you’ll see people who used to want gators killed but are now excited to see them in the wild,” Chris says.
Social media plays a crucial role in the rescue’s operations, serving as both an educational tool and a fundraising platform. Gillette has over 2.5 million followers on social media, and Gabby has over 500,000. Through their considerable Facebook and Instagram followings, they’ve rallied the support of thousands. Recent fundraisers have helped cover significant costs, from enclosure fencing to unexpected vet bills.
“I make reels, posts, and do fundraisers on Facebook and Instagram,” Chris says. “The fundraisers on Facebook are really successful, and I raised $9,000 last time. On Instagram, I usually get $1,000 per fundraiser. These really add up and help with all the costs.”
These fundraisers are vital for the couple to maintain operations until they can open their doors and charge for tours. “We’re required to have perimeter fences that are at least 8 feet high. That alone is $50,000. That’s how we’re spending most of the donations we’re getting these days,” Chris says.
Between raising funds, ensuring the construction of perimeter fences, and meeting the diverse dietary needs of animals like toucans and hornbills, running the rescue is a full-time endeavor that requires a lot of teamwork.
Chris works at two alligator parks in South Florida on weekends to cover the couple’s daily expenses and those at the rescue. “I’m doing tours and presentations there so we have money,” Chris says. “When I’m gone, Gabby’s caring for all the animals and making sure everything’s getting built.”
Chris is eager for the rescue to be ready for its main attraction. “In a year, I hope everything for the alligators is set up. And in three years, maybe even have swimming tours,” he says.
Beyond the sanctuary’s fences, Chris and Gabby hope to change hearts and minds. Whether emphasizing the intelligence of alligators or highlighting the ecological importance of rattlesnakes, Chris wants Floridians to appreciate and coexist with their local wildlife. “They were here before us and have just as much right to exist in this space as we do. It is our responsibility to be educated and act as good stewards of the environment we are fortunate to have,” Chris says.
The sanctuary’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and love for Florida’s wild inhabitants. As Chris aptly puts it, “To save ourselves, we must educate people to respect and protect native animals and ecosystems.”
