If I had to refer my supporters to one place in Ohio that gives an experience with animals and nature unlike any other, I would have to say to visit The Wilds. I go there yearly and it never ceases to amaze me or give me something new to take home with me. Whether it is an educational fact, a sight I have never seen, or the memory of a truly breathtaking moment of being as close to a Rhino as I am to my computer right now! The Wilds is honestly in my opinion, a must experience for every one of all ages.
Set in the hillside country of Cumberland Ohio, The Wilds is a piece of heaven for animal lovers. You can take the heated and air conditioned tour in their Biodiesel fueled buses, or rough it a little like I do in the open air, no windows, wind in your face as close as can possibly be safari bus!
Upon My first visit 5 years ago, I felt like I had left Ohio and ventured into Africa on safari, with beautiful vast lands and habitats so big that not even my 10x’s zoom could bring the animals close enough for a good shot. This conservation facility is something to inspire and behold and should be a model for all sanctuaries and zoo’s. During a 2 ½ hour tour, you are literally overwhelmed with fact by their highly knowledgable and witty guides that make the time on the bus a fun and educational experience.
The Wilds is set on nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed mine land and has been made a gorgeous and natural home to numerous endangered species such as, African wild dogs, Cheetahs, Bactrian camels, Greater one horned Asian rhino’s and a multitude of others that will bring you to a state of awe. The Wilds is a little piece of paradise for the animals that are lucky enough to live there or to wonder in, such as the white tail deer that fence themselves in! Smart deer!
For those of you that have an issue with visiting zoos, this is the place for you. You almost forget that the animals are separated by nearly non-visible fencing. This is not a cage like environment and it leaves even the best sanctuaries having much to be desired. In many areas several animals co-exist together happily and in the mid-sized carnivore area where the cheetah’s, wild dogs, and dholes lounge their days away, fencing is visible, but forgotten when you see the mere size of the habitats (all of you extremist please remember that it is for the safety of the animal as well as yourself). This is the closest thing to the wild these animals could want, but with the benefits, they would never receive in their natural homes, such as the best food, the best medical care and the best protection of their species from our brutal interference and selfish ways.
This is an amazing conservation facility and OVFA is proud to say that we recommend The Wilds to our supporter and to any animal activist out there.
White tails know where to go for serenity!
The North Carolina Zoological Park 11-7-09
On Nov. 7 2009, I visited the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro NC. Was I surprised? You bet!
When I walked into the North Carolina Zoological Park I expected the typical zoo experience with animals in small fake jungle gym looking habitats that are called natural. I just knew that I would see elephants swaying in distress, big cats and wolves pacing worn out paths into their habitats and the rest of the animals would be soundly sleeping out of boredom. My expectations could not have been more wrong!
What I did see was no where near typical. The habitats are natural and in the majority of cases, huge! There were no fake jungle gyms, but instead habitats that mimic the places these animals originate from. From the lowlands of Africa to the mountainous forest of the US and everywhere in between, this zoo did their best to provide their animals with a wild like home, and us the visitors, with a replica to learn from. The animals were awake and active and the only pacing was from two black bears waiting impatiently for lunch. The behaviors I saw were natural and not forced and the animals were peaceful and seemed very content in their captive home.
I stood in awe of the size and utopia like beauty of the elephant area as I waited for my meeting with Curator of Mammals, Guy Lichty, to begin. When I met him I could see the pride he has for his zoo and that proud aura carried through to the rest of the meeting. I was met with hospitality from everyone behind the scenes and I could see a genuine love, compassion and knowledge for and about the animals. I was surprised to hear some of the same thoughts I've been thinking toward animals rights for years and I was excited to learn about some of the future plans that would improve this wonderful zoo even further. I was treated like a VIP during the tour and given an up close look at the training used for the elephants. The keepers demonstrated lifting the trunk and feet of a African bull elephant which listened better to verbal command then any dog I've been around and we watched in amazement as they moved him to his yard from the barn nearly effortlessly.
I expected to see an ankus during my barn tour and I did, but it was hidden from the elephants sight and covered in thick old cobwebs that proved it hadn't seen the light of day in years. Curator Lichty explained that its there for emergency purposes such as someone being pulled into a holding area. They would use the hook to pull them out safely. The North Carolina Zoo uses protective contact when training and interacting with their animals. With this method there is no need for an ankus or any other tool of punishment, fear or intimidation. The bull I watched was simply asked to do a behavior and then rewarded with treats. Punishment in protective contact is a time out, which basically means the animal won't get the attention or treats it wants until the behavior is performed, much like grounding a child. I was lead through the entire barn, literally standing in the holding areas where the elephants spend short amounts of time and I was shown features like a motion activated shower that the elephants can turn on with a wave of their trunk and inventive ways to enrich their minds by making them put forth effort and think to obtain food much like they would in the wild. I was very impressed with the lengths this zoo has taken to give their animals everything they need and want including human compassion and care.
If I were asked if I would visit the North Carolina Zoological Park again as a patron, my answer would be a quick and simple one, Yes I would! If I were asked if OVFA would endorse the North Carolina Zoological Park, again my answer is simple, Most definitely. I get asked all of the time where OVFA's supporters can take their children for a visual education about animals. I can now give them a zoo recommendation. Happy animals in natural habitats and compassionate human caregivers leads me to say that the North Carolina Zoo should be a model for other zoo's and wildlife parks and can be considered animal rights friendly.
OVFA extends an elephant size thank you to Curator Lichty, the keepers, C'sar the elephant and the entire North Carolina Zoological Park for not only giving me a great and informative visit, but for having a zoo that we can know is on it's way to perfection for captive animals. If you're ever in the North Carolina area, show your support and visit the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro. You won't be disappointed!
