Hollywild Animal Park announces new ways to connect to animals through baby nursery visits and after-hours encounters.
“With more than 500 animals calling Hollywild home, it’s sometimes hard to believe people want more, but they do and we’re all about making those special connections between our visitors and the animals,” said Hollywild’s director, Kim Atchley.
“We had five babies born near the same time, all requiring hand-rearing, creating a unique opportunity we can share,” she added.
Nursery needs aren’t unique for the park, which has hand-reared numerous infant animals over the years. Hand rearing is, in fact, a common zoo practice. But matching the animal care dynamic to public involvement is always a case-by-case basis based on the specific baby’s care needs.
“We may have different animals in the nursery over this summer as needs arise, but right now we have a baby camel, two different types of antelope (Addax and Eland,) and two painted dessert sheep. Each baby needed something special. For example, the mother camel, did not have milk for her baby, so we had to quickly intervene to help the baby survive. Now that she is thriving, we can offer the public a special way to connect with her,” explained animal care manager and park founder, David Meeks.
Now that the babies have reached a point where they can interact safely with humans, Hollywild is offering individual and small group nursery visits as an add-on option to a visit to the nearly 100 acre animal park.
“Visitors still have time to explore our walking park, take the Safari Bus Tour, and see a creature feature show which are all covered with their basic admission. Now they can add a nursery visit at special times which helps offset some of the costs of caring for these little ones,” explained park supervisor India Phibbs.
Hollywild has offered limited after-hours interactions and tours in years past, but has expanded that after-hours program to include not only nursery visits but a “Roar and Tour” that features big cat feeding with a personalized walking park tour and nursery visit as well as a “Get to know the Rhin-o” encounter.
“We try to be responsive to our visitors while providing the best care possible to our animals. Encounters fit both needs very well and allows the public to support our efforts in a new way,” said Hollywild board president, Tim Todd.
Please visit www.hollywild.com for additional information.