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neck of the woods | adventure

The Safari Village provides visitors the chance to stretch their legs while
enjoying the petting zoo, gift shop, restaurant, and animal exhibits. One of
the newest exhibits includes eastern Himalayan red pandas, also listed as an
endangered species. The loss of bamboo forests and poaching have left their
populations decimated. Twin brothers, Remi and Freddie, resemble raccoons
with reddish-brown fur and a waddling gait. Shy but friendly, these “bamboo
eaters” consume about four pounds of bamboo daily and are skillful acrobats
with opposable thumbs for climbing and eating. The village offers over 50
different species including Walter, the screaming hairy armadillo who true to
his name, can squeal when threatened. They are native to South America and
are omnivores that spend their time foraging for insects. This zany gent, as
well as over fifty other species, can be seen at the village.

In addition to the successful breeding program, Wildlife Safari provides a vital
and innovative educational program from virtual safaris to zookeeper camps.
Birds, reptiles, and furry friends (such as skunks and prairie dogs) join the
human staff to provide encounters to the community. The big animal enrich-
ment encounters with cheetahs, elephants, giraffe, bears, lions, cougars,
maned wolf, red pandas, and hippos require reservations. These encounters
provide a unique opportunity to meet some of the animals and their keepers
face-to-face. Wildlife Safari strives to continually upgrade and expand the
park and currently have plans to open the “Lion Lookout” enclosure in 2021.

50 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | spring 2021