The natural world is infinitely richer and more complex than we often give it credit for. Animals live moment to moment, more aware of their surroundings than many humans, with our language, abstract points of view and complex social frameworks. To look into the face of an animal and watch its behavior is to begin to share in that experience.
In Holtsville, such sharing is made easy. Simba the mountain lion, Nellie the Holstein cow, Emily the binturong, Iceberg the arctic fox, Mutsu the llama, American bald eagles Sam and Victoria, Mufasa the bobcat, Rex and Patty the emus, Rosie Bear the raccoon and scores of other creatures - most of whom were confiscated illegal pets or rescued animals that could not be released into the wild - live and wait to be seen in their sanctuary, for free, courtesy of the Town of Brookhaven's Highway Department.
In 1971, the site of a reclaimed landfill on Buckley Road in Holtsville became Holtsville Park, where the highway department, under the inspiration and direction of then-Superintendent Harold H. Malkmes, began developing what has become the Harold H. Malkmes Wildlife, Ecology and Education Center, which is financed through a nonprofit foundation.
Today the center is open 361 days a year, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's closed only for New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Under the continued commitment of current Superintendent of Highways John Rouse, the site features a windmill, freshwater pond, compost-pickup area, jogging trail, information center, greenhouses, playground and picnic area.
But for me, the star attraction is the sanctuary and preserve, with more than 100 animals available so that visitors may look into the eyes of one of nature's creatures and perhaps see themselves reflected from a different and enriching point of view.
