Keepers of the Wild, a nonprofit animal park and sanctuary that’s moving to about 20 miles north of Kingman, Ariz., on Route 66, soon will be opening to the public, reports the Kingman Daily Miner.
Keepers of the Wild used to be along U.S. 93, close to Hoover Dam. But owner Jonathan Kraft was landlocked and decided to look for land elsewhere so he could expand his sanctuary.
He says he happened to be driving along Route 66 north of Kingman when he saw a “For Sale” sign near Valentine and fell in love with the spot.
Things fell into place quickly and he was able to buy the land. Keepers of the Wild has not yet opened at their new location, but they are planning a soft opening sometime this fall or winter, with a grand opening this coming spring.
The new property near Valentine is in a better location for tourists, and it allows for expansion. Sixty acres are being developed in the initial phase but the property totals 175 acres. The boulder-strewn, sloping desert will feature naturalistic habitats where animals can roam freely among the rocks and trees.
So travelers on Route 66 who are lamenting the likely closing of Exotic Animal Paradise now will have an alternative.
what happens if one of the cats kinda takes a walk ?? and takes a liking to beef ? hmmm.
We were just at Exotic Animal Paradise in Strafford, MO about 5 days ago. We really enjoyed it, though the camel sticking it’s head in the van really made a dusty mess. (Sorry Hertz, you clean it up!)
There were only four other cars there when we were, but it was late in the day. We were the last to leave the park, and it was about 15/20 minutes *after* closing to boot, though no one rushed us out. Very nice of them.
It’s well worth a 66 trip detour to visit this place, and get two bags of animal food, you’ll need it.
It’d be a shame if this place closed.
Oh, and don’t tell Hertz that those scratches on the side of our rental van were from a water buffalo’s horns… they wouldn’t understand.
does anyone know what happened to the old Keeper’s location?
The old location was sold, don’t really know what will be done with it.
As far as a cat getting loose, precautions are taken against this type of event and plans and procedures are made in the very slim chance that it does.
I don’t believe feeding of the animals in this park will be allowed. This park has placed these exotic animals in big, beautiful habitats.
Look for their opening in Spring 2007.
http://www.keepersofthewild.org