| Wondering what an interactive zoo is? I was too | | | | tour by volunteers which reveal the animals' |
| when I was presented with the privilege of talking | | | | stories. And then, visitors are welcome to safely |
| to Lori Ensign, Founder of Safari's Interactive | | | | interact with the animals. |
| Animal Sanctuary near Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. | | | | For instance, there are Exotic Cat Feeding |
| Born out of her great love for animals and | | | | Stations where you can feed a variety of Exotic |
| treating them right, Lori became an animal | | | | Cats with your tour guide. Cats from around the |
| rescuer. For anyone familiar with the popular kids' | | | | world including tigers, lions, cougars, a leopard, and |
| show, "Go Diego, Go!", she is the real life version | | | | a liger (1/2 lion-1/2 tiger). Treats are $1.00 each. |
| of this story. | | | | Visitors also have the opportunity to feed the |
| Like Tarantulas, they are quite fascinating and a | | | | bears, kangaroo, or even a raccoon. |
| very large spiders! | | | | There's also the Summer Splash. Tigers love the |
| For a pet? Well they're not much for handling, | | | | water! In the summer months, you can spray |
| unless you know how, but don't require much | | | | down the tigers. Watch them play with the water. |
| space, and can be quite fascinating to watch. | | | | It's a lot of fun and FREE! |
| Don't be fooled when the tarantula starts to shed | | | | There's a Children's Barnyard Area where you can |
| there skin! All of a sudden your 1 spider becomes | | | | pet and feed a variety of domestic animals from |
| 2 -or you think! This is when most people get Bite! | | | | around the world including goats, sheep, llamas, |
| Because the tarantulas are Poisonous? YES they | | | | and horses. |
| can bite, and yes they are poisonous, but their | | | | For those who really want to feel the adventure, |
| bite is generally more like a bee or wasp sting. | | | | there is a cabin on the grounds that can be |
| Or Lori's story began as she chose a bobcat as | | | | rented. Hear the wolves howling at night. This is a |
| her pet of choice. As the animal grew, she | | | | real safari located right in the middle of the United |
| realized that this was not your typical pet. Being in | | | | States! |
| the situation, she found others who had also | | | | There is also a Kids Camp which allows the kids |
| thought an exotic animal might be fun, but as | | | | to safely help the zookeepers feed the animals. |
| time continued, found it was a little more than | | | | Following that they learn about the specialty |
| they had bargained for. Safari's is a safe haven | | | | animal of the day, which could be the barnyard |
| for all kinds of wildlife, from big cats, wolves, | | | | animals, primates & raccoons, reptiles, |
| bears, primates, hoof stock, birds, to reptiles. | | | | wolves or the Big cats. |
| They are currently housing over 200 animals. The | | | | Travel is a great way to expand your horizons. |
| animals come from either private individuals who | | | | Having a an interactive zoo makes the journey |
| could not keep the exotic animals, sometimes. | | | | even more memorable and fun. The fact remains, |
| From zoos that simply shut down and some are | | | | your kids will be so excited to spend their time |
| retired show animals. | | | | with you; you'll want to insure that you make |
| The Safari's is run purely by big-hearted | | | | time to "play" there too. |
| volunteers. A visit to Safari's includes a guided | | | | Enjoy your journey! |