3 Days in Dallas...

[d1am0ndback]

As stated earlier, there are two big cat sanctuaries north of Dallas Fort Worth. First is InSync which you mentioned and other is Intl Exotic Animal Sanctuary, which I mentioned.

If you do decide to visit one of these, my vote is for the latter (IEAS) for the following reasons. Please note however that I have not visited either one and have no knowledge about how they are run or how their animals are treated.

1. They are AZA certified.

2. They have a cheetah.

3.They have a brown bear (same species as grizzly).

4.They have an Asian black bear (almost extinct in captivity in USA).

If you go here, you will need to make reservations for a tour ahead of time, since a guided tour IS THE ONLY way you will even be able to get in. During the week the only time you can go is 11:00 AM. Weekends are slightly less limited in times but you still need reservations. I would recommend Fossil Rim over this place, since I don't recall the tour going by the cheetah, and it's nothing like the Dallas and Fort Worth zoos, Fossil Rim, or the Dallas World Aquarium.

 

[azcheetah2]

Wow, you guys are making my choices very difficult, but I appreciate your input. AZDocent, I am thinking of spending my last night in one of the nicer cabins at Fossil Rim, which would get me a free tour of the management area. If that turns out not to be economically feasible for me (the cabin stay) then I will look into getting just the tour itself. The picture you got of the cheetah is amazing and who wouldn't want to see behind the scenes? I love those types of tours and always go on one when in San Diego. The BTS tour at the WAP / Safari Park is where I first heard a cheetah purr.

I would not be going to the Dallas Zoo on arrival day since I do tend to want to get to big zoos before they open or as close to it as possible for that very reason...parking. I do have the benefit of a handicap placard, but even those spots can fill up quickly.

The owner of InSync got some bad press following the canine distemper outbreak in 2013 and claimed she knew her cats were vulnerable to the disease and she didn't do enough to protect them. Articles I read said it wasn't recommended to give big cats the canine distemper shot because it wasn't guaranteed to work or it was risky or something like that and "they" say she was trying to cut corners in operating costs by not getting them vaccinated. I think I also read an article that said other animal facilities have had smaller outbreaks of canine distemper so it proved big cats could get it. There was basically a lot of finger pointing over a very sad situation.

Thank you, again, for everyone's input. I really do appreciate it.

 

[Arizona Docent]

I just looked at the Fossil Rim website, which has been completely rebuilt with a new look. What has also been rebuilt are the safari camp tents, which are now cabins as you say. They appear to be the same size and in the same spots, but now have wood walls instead of canvas. Even when they were canvas tents when I stayed, they still had a small partitioned bathroom in the back with tile floor and flush toilet and shower. I quite enjoyed my stay in the camp (with my cousin) and I would strongly recommend it if you can. The tour of the Intensive Management Area departs from this camp, so it is an ideal combo.

Tent Camp - July 25 to 26, 2013

• Arizona Docent
• 8 Aug 2013
• 1

My cousin and I stayed overnight in their tent camp, which is accessed from a different entrance...

Tent Camp - July 25 to 26, 2013

• Arizona Docent
• 8 Aug 2013
• 1

My cousin and I stayed overnight in their tent camp, which is accessed from a different entrance...

 

[Arizona Docent]

Oh yes, there was also a wild armadillo in the camp that came out at dusk.

Tent Camp - July 25 to 26, 2013

• Arizona Docent
• 8 Aug 2013
• 1

My cousin and I stayed overnight in their tent camp, which is accessed from a different entrance...

 

[azcheetah2]

Those are some pretty neat photos. If that's the tent/cabin you stayed in, they really did quite an upgrade on them, didn't they? Regular walls rather than canvas and a private bath as opposed to what sounds like a glorified outhouse. hahahaha.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

 

[ericnielsenpdx]

I didn't see it mentioned yet but the Fort Worth Zoo's Museum of Living Art has a large exhibit featuring Indian gharials and various Asian turtle species.