And in a separate exhibit, Madagascar’s most famous mammals – lemurs – are on display. From the raised viewing platform, visitors can stand eye-to-eye with the tallest terrestrial animal in the world which, on average, towers some 16 feet over fellow inhabitants in their native African savannahs and woodlands.įor an additional cost, visitors can also feed vegetable sticks to the newest park residents – the slow-moving but gentle two-toed sloths. In addition to the self-driving tour, animal encounters include hand-feeding giraffes with lettuce (available on-site). The giraffes, standing 16 feet tall, love for visitors to hand-feed romaine lettuce from a raised vewing platform. We operate on income generated by admissions, feed sales, our gift shop, and animal encounters.” “Because we have been doing this for a long time, we have developed a successful business model that allows us to be self-sufficient. Mogensen says the park is entirely self-funding, accepting neither donations nor state or federal money. Our guests can enjoy the fact that while they are enjoying our park, they are actually helping our conservation efforts.” “We believe that there are habitats and species around the world that need additional funding for their programs, and we are able to assist. “We budget a certain percentage of our income to be used towards our conservation programs,” Mogensen says. Supported projects include the Siaga Conservation Alliance, Pygmy Hippo Research, tortoise population research at the University of West Florida, the International Crane Foundation, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The park also supports conservation projects both nationally and globally, as well as native Alabama wildlife programs, by offering grants ranging from $100 to $5,000. “Our collection (of animals) depends upon availability, and proper management depends upon facilities and staffing.” This includes their sister parks, Virginia Safari Park, Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida, and their newest Texas Safari Park, which is opening soon. “We work closely with other zoos and private breeders around the country on captive breeding programs to build a healthy population of animals,” Mogensen says. This young Scottish Highland cow is gentle and easily handled. In addition to catering to the daily stream of curious tourists, the park is dedicated to wildlife conservation as part of the Zoofari Parks group, which operates similar facilities in other states. We have staff constantly monitoring the park, ensuring everyone follows the rules.” You can ride in the bed of a pickup truck, but you absolutely cannot exit your vehicle. “For example, you must always remain in your vehicle. “It’s very safe, but there are rules that should be followed,” says park founder and CEO Eric Mogensen. Home to more than 800 animals, visitors to the 350-acre wildlife park just south of Montgomery in Hope Hull drive the facility’s 3-mile winding gravel road while pausing periodically to hand-feed the free-roaming zebras, llamas, ostriches, and many other species from food buckets through car windows. In fact, you’ll have many eating out of the palm of your hand – literally. Visitors to the Alabama Safari Park this summer can expect many of the animal residents to personally greet their human guests. Story and photos by Nick Thomas The slow-moving but gentle two-toed sloths
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