New Reasons to Visit the Wild Animal Park
Posted at 12:34 pm February 26, 2007 by Deb Erickson-Morris
So, just how long has it been since you’ve been to the Wild Animal Park, hmmmm? Whether it’s been one week or years, you’re in for a real treat! We have been very, very busy upgrading the Park, geared towards better viewing and learning about all the wonderful creatures we have here. So much has been going on this past year…
We have added new shows, new exhibits, our very own Park Mascot, Ms. Discovery, plus more up-close animal encounters than ever before. If you have visited recently, you have seen the extensive grading, remodeling, and landscaping taking place. Did you mumble a bit about all the activity? Well, trust me, it’ll all be worth it! A new tour is about to go on line March 14, replacing the current Wgasa Bush Line Railway tour, and it’ll be an adventure you won’t want to miss. It’s the first of two new tours being initiated here, the second tour will be developed in the near future. The first tour, called ” Journey into Africa,” will depart from a new boarding station located between Lion Camp and Heart of Africa. It will wind through the Africa field exhibits, giving you a whole new vantage point to view the animals. It’ll be just like going on a safari! I personally can’t wait to take the new tour and see for myself how it all works out! Everyone from Park Operations, the horticulture and mammal departments, all the tour guides, and countless others are working very hard to make this a successful and rewarding adventure. It’s a must-see!
Hidden Jungle is once again preparing for it’s annual arrival of thousands of butterflies. The Butterflies & Orchids event is scheduled March 31 to April 15. Over the next few weeks, Hidden Jungle will be transformed into a beautiful, colorful display of nectar plants and exotic butterflies for all to see. I am presently on loan again to the Construction & Maintenance Department, helping Joe ‘the painter’ renovate the signs on grounds and giving everything a new spit and polish glow. It’s always fun to keep my sign-painting skills in good working order and to help out. Sometime in March I’ll be back at the Park’s Plant Trader gift shop, making sure I have a wonderful variety of plants to sell and exotic new lines of merchandise from around the world.
When you visit the Park, make sure you check out our newest babies. There is a brand-new porcupine that is absolutely ADORABLE at the Care Center. It can’t be but 6 inches (15 centimeters) long with tiny little legs, black-and-white quills, and a little poof of a mohawk hairdo–too cute! Three elephants are expecting calves and we are very excited about the new arrivals. There are also three new Sumatran tiger cubs awaiting their debut (only when Momma says so). So far, they are just getting used to the keepers and the training needed to care for them. (Read Tiger Cubs at the Wild Animal Park.)
So, what do you think now? Is there enough to get you up and coming to see what all the hubbub is about? Hope to see you all soon!
Deb Erickson-Morris works in the Plant Trader gift shop at the Wild Animal Park but is currently on loan in the Park’s Horticulture Department. Read her previous blog, Workin’ on the Railway.
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February 26th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Thanks, Deb for a wonderful description of the new excitement around WAP. I haven’t been there in 19 years, but it is a must see when visiting SD. I loved the Wgasa Bush Train ride, so I can just imagine how exciting the new trains will be.
With all the new babies at both SDZ and WAP, I have to figure out a way to get from VA to SD sometime this year.
When are the elephant babies due? I know they said something about Spring, late Summer, and late 2007 early 2008. If I plan it right, I might even get there after the next pandas are born, and hopefully before Mei Sheng leaves for China.
March 9th, 2007 at 10:46 am
How will the new tram be powered? Are you using electric vehicles or biofuels? I’d hate to see the good example of the monorail passed off just as the need for role models is greatest…
Moderator’s note: The new tour vehicles are partially powered by biodiesel.
April 21st, 2007 at 5:16 am
Why was the Bush Line Railway retired? I never got to ride it, but you can see the track how it went nearly all over the park and have heard it was a great tour. But now there is just the Journey into Africa tour, which is much shorter. Will you be bringing back the great Bush Line Railway somehow with new trains? I would hope so..
May 5th, 2007 at 8:44 am
The Wild Animal Park is rapidly deteriorating into an amusement park. The new Journey into African tour is boring and the tour vehicles and paved highway are an eye sore. The loudspeaker announcements of tour bus departures echo throughout the whole park. The yellow balloon ride should be removed. The Sponge Bob statute is totally out of place. What was once a special, intimate treasure is being converted into the likes of a tasteless commercial theme park in an apparent attempt to increase revenues.
June 19th, 2007 at 8:17 am
I just visited the park. I was very disappointed that the bush line was no longer running. I think it is important that you bring it back. I heard over and over the same comments that the line is part of the park and should not be lost. You should have it, at least, to help people to travel to the back of the park and areas hard for some people to walk to. I also agree that the Sponge Bob statute is totally out of place. I am not sure that my family will be back. Seems the orignial intent of the park is fading. What a shame!
July 9th, 2007 at 8:21 am
I visited the park just last week, and was very surprised to see that the train ride had disappeared. I see somebody else asked why it was discontinued, and didn’t get an answer. I’d also like to know.
The tram ride was fine, although only half as long as the train used to be.
And I totally agree that the big balloon and especially Spongebob should be done away with.