Review of park, based on visit on the afternoon of May 3, 2012.
Getting There.
If ever there was a zoological park located in the middle of nowhere, this is it. Their address lists the town name as Valentine, Arizona, but there was no town or any other structure in sight. We (my cousin and I) approached from the east, so I assume the actual town is just west - a hill blocked the view. However, the other so-called towns we passed through, such as Peach Springs, were no more than a couple buildings, so I cannot imagine Valentine is what any normal person would consider a town. The closest real city is Kingman, which is further west.
The only reason any human being travels this way at all, is that it is one of the few remaining sections of the historic Route 66, which has a nostalgiac draw for tourists. This section makes a large northward arc from Interstate 40, starting at Seligman in the east (which is the definition of a tourist trap) and ending at Kingman in the west.
If you are not paying attention, you will drive right by Keepers Of The Wild. It is located in a small ravine with a hill blocking its view from both directions on the highway. There was a small sign at the top of the hill saying "Keepers Of The Wild 1000 feet" which thankfully prepared us. The actual entrance has a very large billboard in front, but if you are not ready for it you might drive right by and wonder "what was that sign?" I assume they moved here because the land was dirt cheap.
Admission Fees.
$18 adult to walk through or $28 adult for a guided tour on a small truck. This is a rescue center, not a traditional zoo, so you have to consider your admission fee as a donation to help the unfortunate animals. If you do not mind donating to something like this, you may feel it is worthwhile. If you are comparing the value for what you get (in relation to other zoos), it is a complete ripoff.
History.
The founder started with a big cat magic act in Las Vegas, Nevada. But he eventually became concerned with the lifestyle of his cats (being moved into tiny transport cages daily, waiting backstage in a small cage, etc). He quit his act and founded Keepers Of The Wild as a rescue and retirement facility for wild cats and other exotic animals. At first they were located in a makeshift facility in the county animal control center in Las Vegas (which I visited in early 1997). A few years ago they purchased this property to give the animals room.
Experience.
The location is a natural bowl, with tall rock hills forming a three sided rectangle. The front side facing the road is open, but there are some hills across the way for a nice view. There are lots of tigers, most living in groups, and all in very large enclosures. A couple lions, one of which lives with a coyote, a couple leopards (one black), a jaguar (one black) and a couple pumas. All of these have large yards made by putting up chain link fence around the existing land. Good for the cats, not good for photographers. A group of hoofstock also has perhaps the largest and nicest area, comprised of one mule deer, six alpacas and/or llamas, and a similar number of fallow deer (both white and normal).
Next to the hoofstock are corrals for ostrich and emu. The smaller animals are in much more basic cages - basically cement floors with a few logs. If this was a mainstream zoo they would be lambasted for such lousy enclosures. Some of the highlights were coati and white skunk together, bobcats, lynx, coyotes, wolves, racoons, bonnet macaques (which I have not heard of before), pig-tailed macaque, capuchin monkey, plus a few reptiles which I do not recall seeing myself. I also missed the bird house, which is in a far corner adjacent to the parking lot.
If you go on the tour, or follow them on foot as we did, you will see the cats active (with some feeding) and learn their stories.
Bottom line.
The admission woman says it takes one and a half hours to see the park, although I cannot imagine anyone spending more than an hour here. The entire area is fairly small, although the big cat enclosures are good size. There is no reason for anyone to go out of their way to visit this place (and it is out of the way). If you happen to be doing a Route 66 trip and want to get out to stretch your legs, this is a good place to do it. Just do not expect much and be prepared for an admission fee that is well beyond the value you receive. If you believe in supporting rescue of exotic animals, though, it may be worthwhile. I personally have no desire to ever go back.
Getting There.
If ever there was a zoological park located in the middle of nowhere, this is it. Their address lists the town name as Valentine, Arizona, but there was no town or any other structure in sight. We (my cousin and I) approached from the east, so I assume the actual town is just west - a hill blocked the view. However, the other so-called towns we passed through, such as Peach Springs, were no more than a couple buildings, so I cannot imagine Valentine is what any normal person would consider a town. The closest real city is Kingman, which is further west.
The only reason any human being travels this way at all, is that it is one of the few remaining sections of the historic Route 66, which has a nostalgiac draw for tourists. This section makes a large northward arc from Interstate 40, starting at Seligman in the east (which is the definition of a tourist trap) and ending at Kingman in the west.
If you are not paying attention, you will drive right by Keepers Of The Wild. It is located in a small ravine with a hill blocking its view from both directions on the highway. There was a small sign at the top of the hill saying "Keepers Of The Wild 1000 feet" which thankfully prepared us. The actual entrance has a very large billboard in front, but if you are not ready for it you might drive right by and wonder "what was that sign?" I assume they moved here because the land was dirt cheap.
Admission Fees.
$18 adult to walk through or $28 adult for a guided tour on a small truck. This is a rescue center, not a traditional zoo, so you have to consider your admission fee as a donation to help the unfortunate animals. If you do not mind donating to something like this, you may feel it is worthwhile. If you are comparing the value for what you get (in relation to other zoos), it is a complete ripoff.
History.
The founder started with a big cat magic act in Las Vegas, Nevada. But he eventually became concerned with the lifestyle of his cats (being moved into tiny transport cages daily, waiting backstage in a small cage, etc). He quit his act and founded Keepers Of The Wild as a rescue and retirement facility for wild cats and other exotic animals. At first they were located in a makeshift facility in the county animal control center in Las Vegas (which I visited in early 1997). A few years ago they purchased this property to give the animals room.
Experience.
The location is a natural bowl, with tall rock hills forming a three sided rectangle. The front side facing the road is open, but there are some hills across the way for a nice view. There are lots of tigers, most living in groups, and all in very large enclosures. A couple lions, one of which lives with a coyote, a couple leopards (one black), a jaguar (one black) and a couple pumas. All of these have large yards made by putting up chain link fence around the existing land. Good for the cats, not good for photographers. A group of hoofstock also has perhaps the largest and nicest area, comprised of one mule deer, six alpacas and/or llamas, and a similar number of fallow deer (both white and normal).
Next to the hoofstock are corrals for ostrich and emu. The smaller animals are in much more basic cages - basically cement floors with a few logs. If this was a mainstream zoo they would be lambasted for such lousy enclosures. Some of the highlights were coati and white skunk together, bobcats, lynx, coyotes, wolves, racoons, bonnet macaques (which I have not heard of before), pig-tailed macaque, capuchin monkey, plus a few reptiles which I do not recall seeing myself. I also missed the bird house, which is in a far corner adjacent to the parking lot.
If you go on the tour, or follow them on foot as we did, you will see the cats active (with some feeding) and learn their stories.
Bottom line.
The admission woman says it takes one and a half hours to see the park, although I cannot imagine anyone spending more than an hour here. The entire area is fairly small, although the big cat enclosures are good size. There is no reason for anyone to go out of their way to visit this place (and it is out of the way). If you happen to be doing a Route 66 trip and want to get out to stretch your legs, this is a good place to do it. Just do not expect much and be prepared for an admission fee that is well beyond the value you receive. If you believe in supporting rescue of exotic animals, though, it may be worthwhile. I personally have no desire to ever go back.
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