Sylvia mantella biography

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Without animal sanctuaries, like the one the Mantella’s have created in Florida, many of these animals wouldn’t live to see the next sunrise.



“Children are easier to teach than adults because adults are set in their ways,” observes Robert. As of 2016 The Mantella Exotic Animal Sanctuary and Conservation became recognized for the birth of the first unrelated African White Lions on USA soil in over six decades and has one of the most successful USA Two-Toed Sloth breeding facilities.

From 2008 to present day, sits on numerous Boards, Committees and Advisory Boards.

A proud Gucci collector, Sylvia has been a member of the Honorary Board for the Toronto Fashion Incubator New Labels, which supports and promotes local Canadian fashion designers.

“What we are doing here is giving them all a way to live out their lives with respect and dignity.”

The couple recently returned from another trip to East Africa, Sylvia’s fifth trip and Robert’s third, where they travelled to meet with local experts and learn firsthand about the latest conservation techniques and ideas they can bring back to their sanctuary to improve it even more.

“That law prevents anyone from being in a photograph with a lion or a tiger cub, and that will put a lot of those people out of business because they were completely exploiting animals who are in a state of high anxiety in those situations. We weren’t anywhere close to that mindset before Sylvia. Robert’s family was in the land development business, and Sylvia came from the world of retailing, telecom and marketing, but they quickly discovered that their deep mutual love and respect for each other would be deepened further by common passions in other aspects of their life together, particularly as they developed their approach to philanthropy.

“My parents would make small donations for $5 or $10 in my name, and that felt really good. It’s no coincidence that, when we conjure up the uncomfortable image of a carcass, our minds are imagining the animal world. Back then, there was no email, so we’d read newsletters, and I’d wait for that mail to come in so I could see what animal was saved or what animal lived where.” As she grew older, she was able to afford to give more, began to understand the value of not just monetary contributions, but of time, she says.

People started believing these cubs were cute, and ‘maybe I should get one.’ Now you’re not allowed to be in a photo with a small cub, and you’re also not allowed to sell big cats across state lines. From early morning until late in the evening, they are among the animals. “I know it sounds strange, but that’s the whole purpose of conservation.

She has been one of Canada’s style leaders for decades and a supporter of young and emerging designers. “Humans are not the most important or top animal on the planet. She is now seven, but has been with us since she was six months old, and she will now be going on this journey of artificial insemination. The facility is governed by the USDA and Florida Fish and Wildlife Association.

It’s nearly impossible to save all the animals, but you have to try, one step at a time.”

Sylvia and Robert’s foundation is self-funded, and wildlife conservation is just one of many causes they contribute to. In Australia, for example — koala bears only live in Australia as the country never lets them leave to be bred anywhere else — now, after the wildfires hit Australia, the koala bear is near extinction.

We’ve done well, and we work very hard, but how much do you need when there are so many people and creatures who need help?”

The world needs more people like Sylvia and Robert Mantella. Their purpose is to keep each species going and thriving in welcoming, safe and natural environments.

While we would all like to believe the animal kingdom is some joyful fairytale or animated Disney utopia (cue the singing bluebirds), we all realize that animals don’t enjoy the luxury of food delivery, that savagery and brutality are very real and that, in the wild, it’s often eat or be eaten.

A lot of people are doing what we’re doing. This facility provides and shares genetic research with prestigious Universities across the United States. “When I first met Sylvia, I would say, ‘You don’t have to do this — we’ll write a cheque. Try different areas and see what lands with you and then keep pursuing that, because it is just so rewarding.”

“People are beginning to realize these animals are not pets.