Noah's Ark Theme Park proposed in Kentucky

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groundskeeper24

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
According to several local newspaper articles, a biblical literalist theme park featuring animals will be built in Williamstown, KY, not far from Cincinnati. Governor Steve Beshear has said that state money will indeed be used to fund the project.

The details have been a bit sketchy, but I've managed to extrapolate this much: It will be an 800 acre park. The ark itself will be the length of 2 American football fields and 3 stories high. They intend to exhibit "young" giraffes, as well as other species. The people behind this are the same folks who brought us the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky.

I have my own personal issues with such an attraction, one being state money funding a religious attraction, two being the fact that a lot of people already look at us Kentuckians as a bit backward. I'm not here to discuss that. I'm here to talk about whether or not this kind of establishment will seek or attain AZA accreditization. Will the AZA want to put a stamp of approval on a place like this? What kind of keepers/curators will a place like this employ? Are the stated goals of this place a bit far fetched in terms of size and desired species?
 
Zooplantman said:
Here's more, for the curious:

Planned Noah's Ark Encounter Park in Kentucky Sparks Church-State Controversy - ABC News

As this is a $150million project and they are to get $40million in tax breaks (which won't pay contractors), and they have so far rasied $125,000, then they will need lots of prayer to pull this off.
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I was just looking for the link. Thanks.

Agree with it or not, the small segment of the population that follows zoo development and big ideas like this knows to temper expectations when such grand plans are being discussed.
 
groundskeeper24 said:
According to several local newspaper articles, a biblical literalist theme park featuring animals will be built in Williamstown, KY, not far from Cincinnati. Governor Steve Beshear has said that state money will indeed be used to fund the project.

The details have been a bit sketchy, but I've managed to extrapolate this much: It will be an 800 acre park. The ark itself will be the length of 2 American football fields and 3 stories high. They intend to exhibit "young" giraffes, as well as other species. The people behind this are the same folks who brought us the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky.

I have my own personal issues with such an attraction, one being state money funding a religious attraction, two being the fact that a lot of people already look at us Kentuckians as a bit backward. I'm not here to discuss that. I'm here to talk about whether or not this kind of establishment will seek or attain AZA accreditization. Will the AZA want to put a stamp of approval on a place like this? What kind of keepers/curators will a place like this employ? Are the stated goals of this place a bit far fetched in terms of size and desired species?
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Well, if the quotes about keeping only "young giraffe" (presumably because of the limited space available on the "ark") are any indication of the level of animal husbandry and exhibition expertise that has been brought to bear on this project, I would suggest AZA accreditation is not very likely.

However, since the Biblical ark supposedly held two of every species on earth, the Berlin zoo may now have a real competitor for the title of zoo with the greatest diversity!

But seriously, how pathetic is it that in 2010 such a ludicrous concept could be seriously discussed in this country, not to mention attract government money in a climate where public funding for science-based cultural institutions (like the Louisville Zoo) and the public school system is being slashed by the same crowd of conservatives who are likely behind this boondoggle.

Astonishing
 
If they expect to get a male female pair of elephants.... NO zoo would ever do this! Elephants and many other species are highly social! And if designing and building an 800 acre park only costs $150,000,000.... you have to wonder what type of quality exhibits will be there? Considering just the eleven acre savanna habitat at the Dallas zoo just cost $42,000,000. I think that a religious zoological institution that cares more about the religous aspect (male female pairings...) than the animal collection aspect should not exist or be funded or supported by any institution!
 
True, but with so many institutions building new habitats, the private holders will soon be non-existent. And I highly doubt importation to a religious theme park would go through.
 
Dallaspachyderm said:
True, but with so many institutions building new habitats, the private holders will soon be non-existent. And I highly doubt importation to a religious theme park would go through.
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That ridiculous, multi-million dollar creationist museum got built in Kentucky, no?
 
reduakari said:
That ridiculous, multi-million dollar creationist museum got built in Kentucky, no?
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Yep, just down the road from where I grew up. I'm not proud of this. The group calls themselves "Answers in Genesis". The museum charges 25 bucks a head! They've had 1.2 million visitors since opening. That's not a lot of people to me.
 
The whole idea is ridiculous to me and I dread to think what kind of enclosures they will have, not to mention the separation of church and state arguments.

By the way, something that these religious fundamentalists always get wrong is that the actual text, after first mentioning two of each goes on to say:

"Of all the clean animals you shall take for yourself seven pairs, a male and its mate, and of the animals that are not clean, two, a male and its mate.

Also, of the fowl of the heavens, seven pairs, male and female, to keep seed alive on the face of the earth."

But then again, they are constantly quoting texts out of context whilst quietly ignoring bits less convenient to their agenda.
 
The creation museum does not have living specimens... this is kind of completely different.
1.) in todays society the government can not support a biblical theme park. If the theme park can raise the money that's fine, but no zoo will send them animals
2.) should this park even have animals?
3.) How many animals are they planning to have?
4.) Is the ark the barn for all the animals?
 
Zooplantman said:
What makes you think so?
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I truly believe they could get them. Lots of establishments that aren't zoos keep exotics. it wouldn't surprise me to see them acquire some specimens from game farms or circuses. They could even try to sell a "rescue" angle for their husbandry, which would kind of fit with the whole ark theming. To see that scneario play out wouldn't surprise me in the least if this thing actually gets off the ground.
 
I would think accredited facilities wouldn't send them animals, because the AZA's mission is to spread the message of conservation to all. Also like I said before $150,000,000 isn't enough to develop habitats for all these species (at least suitable habitats!). If they payed more attention to actual herd structure and not biblical text (which they aren't even really playing by) then I may people able to partially support. I think they should come up with their own funds! Considering there are many facilities with in the state of Kentucky that need funding (Louisville Zoo). Also, game farms,Circuses, and Zoos don't have two of every species just laying around. Are they planning to import? I hope they have a stronger emphasis on conservation then I am thinking.
 
FWIW, Governor Beshear's (D) statement on why he is supporting this park has nothing to do with the ideology, it's all about construction and jobs. Kentucky has governor elections in Nov 2011, so he needs as much as he can on his plate showing jobs coming to the state. His approvals are alright a this moment, mid 50s from what I've seen. KY, while deciding to send many Republicans to Federal office has kept several Dems in State office. Beshear beat incumbent governor Ernie Fletcher in 2007, who had a definite corruption problem (if you're under investigation, you got a problem).

Beshear is not an ideological person, from what I know of him, he is probably rolling his eyes at this project while shrugging knowing it's where his constituents are. Still, the Governor is supporting this project solely from a jobs perspective, and in this climate, fighting a culture war where "jobs" can be used as a counter argument is political suicide.

Anyone want some information from this Texan on the re-election chances of Auditor Crit Luallen (D) or Secretary of State Trey Greyson (R)? :-P
 
What astonishes me is the tizzy that some anti-religious bigots get in when it becomes clear that others actually have Christian beliefs.

I say let's wait and see what they come up with. If they have sufficient and acceptable habitats for their animals, then great! Whatever their beliefs are on Creation/Evolution should not matter in whether or not they get AZA acceptance, and they shouldn't matter to anyone who disagrees with them. If you or I disagree with them, then just don't visit them. I'm very open-minded on such things. If someone wanted to build an atheist zoo, I'd have the same open mind about that.
 
ANyhuis said:
What astonishes me is the tizzy that some anti-religious bigots get in when it becomes clear that others actually have Christian beliefs.
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Before anyone gets personally offended by this comment, let me say that I wasn't referring to anybody in particular. It's just sad to see the overall tone -- "People have Christian beliefs, they actually believe the Bible, oh shudder, shudder, isn't that terrible!"
 
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