TEXAS IN TIME FOR TURKEY Day 14 October 15, 2009 Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Cottonwood, AZ

Today we traveled down the highway a few miles to Campe Verde where we took in the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. It is a Wildlife park that has animals from Africa and North America that have been rescued, donated or born into captivity.

When we arrived we found there were two sections to the park. The first was a bus ride through an area that housed animals with hooves. They actually gave us pieces of carrots so that we could feed the animals. It was a great hit with the kids. The one aspect of the bus ride that surprised us was how close and personal you could get with these animals. You could not get off the bus but the animals did come up to the bus looking for food.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once we finished with the bus tour we caught the shuttle up to the caged area where the rest of the animals were. In this section was a show area where they brought in pairs of animals. The one we really enjoyed was called “Tiger Splash” and that is just what it was. Two trainers actually got in the caged area and pool and played with the tigers. It was quite enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next show was the snake show where they brought out two Burmese Pythons for everyone to pet. We passed.

The last show was back in the pool area where they brought in two Hyenas. There was one male and one female and they have been at the park for 7 and 11 years respectively. We also learned that the female is always the boss in the relationship. When they were feeding the Hyenas we were able to hear their laughs which was really their way of saying “Hurry up and feed me”. I was surprised at how big these animals are as they go about 140 lbs.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Once the final show was over we walked back down to the entrance so that we could see the rest of the animals. Upon completion of our viewing we headed back to the resort and called it a night. It was a good day.