KENDALIA, Texas -- The landscape is dotted with animals on 200 acres tucked away in the Texas Hill Country in Kendall County.

They coexist with the human residents on their special ranch, the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Sanctuary located just outside of Kendalia, Texas.

There are bears, mountain lions and monkeys along with African lions and a jaguar that have come from roadside attractions or research labs. In some way, shape, or form they have suffered from mistreatment, said sanctuary staff.

"Two of (the sanctuary's black bears) come to us from roadside zoos from upstate New York,” said Lynn Cuny, who started the WRR in 1977.

"Another one came from ... Gonzales, Texas, where they were kept in shipping crates in a dark barn for nine years," she said.

Cuny, who started her first place of rescue in her backyard, said the animals just want a simple life.

"These animals want to live, they want a life of peace, life of calm and good care just like you and I do," she said.

There are more than 600 permanent residents at the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. Cuny also takes in and cares for mistreated and abused native animals too. They are usually set free after they are ready to return to the wild. Cuny has been caring for the orphaned, injured, and displaced for 32 years.