Visit Aloha Safari Zoo, An Exotic Animal Sanctuary Right Here In North Carolina
While nature is indeed the best habitat for wild animals of all types, in today’s world that is rarely the case. While some zoos, like the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, do an amazing job at presenting animals in their natural habitat, giving both the animals and visitors the best experience possible, other wild and exotic animals are rarely so lucky. When animals come from various backgrounds including mistreatment, injury, or otherwise unwanted by owners, Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron helps give them their best possible chance at rehabilitation and a happy life. As a bonus, it’s also open for visitors.
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Lee Crutchfield has dedicated most of his life to helping animals. A complete family-run affair, Aloha Safari Zoo opened in 2010. Today, the 60-acre park is home to 400 animals. Crutchfield strives to provide a happy, healthy environment for all rescued animals. Weekend visits from people of all over certainly help brighten their spirits as well.
From lions, to tigers and bears (oh my!), Aloha Safari is filled with a wide-range of exotic animals that have gotten quite used to the comfort of people and their new surroundings. Weekend tours allow visitors up-close access to animals. Pictured above is Luna, when she was just a little tiger, being bottle-fed.
From feeding Stretch, the giraffe, to admiring the regal camel and even witnessing zebras, Aloha Safari is a wonderful, educational experience for children to learn about wildlife and wildlife rehabilitation. Due to the fact that many animals come here malnourished or from poor habitats, animal care is at the forefront of their mission. Due to its eastern North Carolina location, each habitat is constructed at hurricane strength and the animal pens come with ultraviolet lighting to ensure each animal gets enough vitamin D.
Currently, Aloha Safari is open Saturdays and Sundays with hours extending from Thursday-Sunday starting June 5. Admission is $12/person with feed bags priced at $3 and carrots for feeding at $1.
There's so much to see and do, it's hard to fit it all in a day! You can stop by the reptile room; check out the exotic birds, porcupines and iguanas in the indoor animal center. There's also paved walkways where you'll meet bears, wolves, monkeys and other exotic animals. There's also a goat and pig field near the zoo entrance.
You can also explore the grounds and get a more in-depth experience by taking a safari tour, a guided ride through the lower pasture featuring some of the larger animals.
Long after your visit ends you can still contribute and help the animals by volunteering or either adopting an animal. With adoption, you'll receive pictures and updates on your animal and how they're doing. If you've been looking for a way to help wild animals or simply for something a bit different, Aloha Safari Zoo has been called the "best-kept secret in North Carolina" and I'd have to agree!
What a neat attraction with a heartfelt mission. Have you visited here before? You’ll find Aloha Safari Zoo at: 159 Mini Lane, Cameron, NC 28326.
Emory was born and raised in North Carolina. She enjoys writing, photography, filmmaking, travel, wine and cheese. You can find more of her work on emoryrakestraw.com
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