Wildlife Safari is a safari park in Winston, Oregon, United States. It is home to hundreds of animals that wander freely over the park, which guests can drive through. The park also includes a walkthrough exhibit displaying some of the park's smaller animals. It has Oregon's only African elephants and maned wolves as of 2009. The safari has been member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1986, one of only three such animal attractions in the state.
History
Frank Hart, a frequent visitor to Africa, created the safari park, which opened in October 1972 as World Wildlife Safari, on a site. "World" was dropped from the name on June 9, 1974, at the request of the unrelated, non-profitWorld Wildlife Fund, to avoid confusion. Wildlife Safari became a non-profit organization in 1980, and is overseen by the Safari Game Search Foundation.
Animals
Between the drive-through area and the village, Wildlife Safari features over 600 animals including Brown bears, South African cheetahs, Cape Eland, Southern white rhinoceros, African elephants, giraffes, Cotton-topped tamarins, hippopotamuses, African lions, and ostriches. More than 600 of these animals are given free rein on the grasslands, and are accessible for viewing by driving on a road. Visitors can stop to view the animals and take pictures anywhere along the main roads. Protected contact animals separated from the free roaming animals include hippos, elephants, both black and brown bears, tigers, lions, and cheetahs. About 90 of the park's animals are in the Safari Village, which includes a petting zoo, restrooms, a restaurant, a playground, and gift shop.
Other facilities
The Safari Village includes a narrow gauge railroad, Safari Grill Event Center, Cheryl Ford Center, Safari Grill and Gift shop. The village area is a traditional zoo setting with smaller exhibits from animals from around the world. The newest feature to the Safari Village is the Wells Fargo Australian Walkabout exhibit. The Australian Walkabout immerses the guest into Australia allowing guest to go in with the Wallaroos, Black Swans and the Budgie Aviary.
Conservation
Wildlife Safari has a well established cheetah breeding program which, as of May 2020, has produced 219 cubs. In cooperation with the AZA's , the cubs are sent to other accredited zoos across the United States. At least one animal rights organization endorses Wildlife Safari for its animal-focused conditions and care.
