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media kit

Welcome to the Central Florida Animal Reserve Media Kit. This page provides journalists, partners, and content creators with approved information, imagery, and contacts to support accurate and responsible storytelling about CFAR and its mission.

A Bengal tiger with orange fur, black stripes, and white markings looks directly at the camera, sitting in front of a chain-link fence at Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.

About Central Florida Animal Reserve

Central Florida Animal Reserve is a nonprofit wildlife reserve dedicated to the research and application of effective stewardship techniques that emphasize meaningful coexistence with animal residents. These relationships support education and awareness efforts focused on big cats and wildlife.

CFAR is dedicated to the preservation of the great cats by providing appropriate long-term homes for animals that cannot thrive in the wild due to human-related circumstances or inappropriate prior conditions. The reserve’s mission centers on preserving these animals while advocating for informed stewardship and the protection of natural habitats.

At CFAR, care is guided by dignity, respect, and responsibility. Through ethical management and education, the reserve works to foster a deeper understanding of wildlife and the role people play in shaping its future.

Approved Images

The following images are approved for editorial use when referencing Central Florida Animal Reserve. Please credit CFAR where applicable.

A lioness and a lion touch heads affectionately while resting on wooden platforms at Central Florida Animal Reserve, with a chain-link fence and an American flag in the background—perfect for your media kit.
Close-up of a tiger's face with a blurred green and brown background, featured in the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit, showing its distinctive orange fur and black stripes.
Close-up of a white tiger with pale fur and black stripes, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. This image is featured in the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.
A Bengal tiger leans and stretches over a large concrete cylinder inside an outdoor enclosure at the Central Florida Animal Reserve, eyes closed in contentment—a serene moment perfect for the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.
A single-story building with a wooden ramp and porch, an American flag on a pole, and a handicap parking space in front—featured in the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit—surrounded by trees under a blue sky.
A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and gray shirt looks into the distance outdoors, with a cloudy sky and trees in the background, as part of the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.
A tiger with orange fur and black stripes is lying on the ground with its front legs crossed, looking directly at the camera—a stunning image from the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.

leadership

A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored shirt is outdoors, squatting in a grassy area with trees and plants in the background, as featured in the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.

Dr. K. “Simba” Wiltz, PharmD, PRS

President and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Wiltz combines decades of experience in pharmacy leadership with more than 30 years of study and hands-on work with big cats, guiding CFAR with a balance of scientific rigor and practical stewardship.

An older woman with short, light hair looks slightly upward. She is outdoors, lit by natural light, with a neutral expression—an image featured in the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.

Phyllis Parks

Facility Manager

Phyllis oversees daily operations at CFAR, drawing on decades of experience in construction, facility development, and wildlife compliance to support safe, efficient care of the reserve.

Woman with red hair wears a gray "CFAR" cap and blue shirt, smiling outdoors with green grass behind her—perfect for the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.

Kelley Mulvihill

Education Director

Kelley brings more than 25 years of teaching experience to CFAR, designing and delivering education programs that connect guests, students, and volunteers with big cats and conservation concepts.

A woman with long dark hair smiles at the camera with clear blue water in the background, perfect for the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.

Joanna Sampath

Campaign Coordinator

Joanna supports CFAR’s campaigns and outreach efforts, blending a background in health administration, marketing, and community engagement with a lifelong passion for big cats.

Key Metrics

Animal Care and Impact

  • Total Big Cats Cared For Since Founding: Over 100 big cats
  • Species Represented: Tigers, Lions, Cougars, Leopards, Servals
  • Big Cats Rehomed Since the 2017 Relocation: 23
  • Average Lifespan Comparison:
  • At CFAR: 18 to 20 years
  • In the wild: 8 to 10 years

These outcomes reflect CFAR’s long-term commitment to appropriate care, stable environments, and professional stewardship.

Volunteer Power

  • Annual Volunteer Hours: Over 12,000 hours per year
  • Active Volunteers: 28
  • Longest-Serving Volunteer: 27 years

Volunteers are a vital part of daily operations and mission support across animal care, education, and facility needs.

Milestones and Growth

  • Years in Operation: Since 1996
  • Year Incorporated as Central Florida Animal Reserve: 2007
  • Relocation to Osceola County: 2017
  • Funds Raised to Build the Current Facility: $1.3 million, raised without paid staff
  • Major Relocation Effort: 25 big cats transported over 60 miles in 2017

These milestones represent nearly three decades of growth, planning, and community-supported progress.

Programs and Outreach

  • Guided Tours and Educational Experiences Each Year: Over 900
  • Students and Visitors Reached Annually: Over 1,500
  • Community and Educational Partnerships:
  • Harmony High School
  • University of Central Florida
  • Valencia College
  • St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce
  • Special Awareness Days Recognized:
  • International Tiger Day
  • World Lion Day
  • World Wildlife Day

Digital and Social Reach

  • Newsletter Subscribers: Over 1,500
  • Social Media Audience:
  • Facebook: Approximately 13,000 followers
  • Instagram: Approximately 2,300 followers
  • Video Engagement: 25,000 to 30,000 views per month across social platforms

Affiliations and Listings

Central Florida Animal Reserve maintains transparency and professional engagement through the following recognized platforms and associations:

Gold GuideStar Seal of Transparency badge featuring a starburst design and text indicating a gold level of transparency, included in the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.

guide star

 CFAR is listed on GuideStar, providing public access to nonprofit information and organizational reporting.

Text graphic stating: "We updated our profile in Nonprofit Search. Tap the link to learn more about the Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit" on a blue background.

Nonprofit Search

CFAR is included in nonprofit databases that support public accountability and charitable transparency.

Logo of the American Association of Zoo Keepers featuring a gray rhinoceros above the organization's name in bold red and orange letters, perfect for inclusion in any Central Florida Animal Reserve media kit.

American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)

CFAR maintains professional affiliation with the American Association of Zoo Keepers, supporting continued education, collaboration, and best practices within the animal care community.

These affiliations reflect CFAR’s commitment to ethical operations, transparency, and ongoing professional development.

Media Contact Information

For media inquiries, interview requests, or editorial coordination, please use the form below.

General media inquiries are monitored by the CFAR communications team to ensure timely and accurate responses.

Media Inquiry Form

Usage Notes

All media assets and information provided in this kit are intended to support accurate representation of Central Florida Animal Reserve and its mission. Use of images or content outside of editorial or educational contexts requires prior approval.