Sitting an hour and a half to the east of Columbus is an incredible scientific institution and animal park called The Wilds. Here you can meet amazing animals roaming in their natural habitats at one of the largest and most innovative conservation institutions in the world. It was created by zoo professionals alongside civic and political leaders to cultivate learning and to engage the community. Start planning your visit to this fantastic animal park today!
The mission of The Wilds is “To lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife.”
The Wilds/Facebook The Wilds is a private non-profit organization. They were formally incorporated in 1984 and opened to the public for tours in 1994. The park is designed to serve both as a research center for conservation science and as a venue to provide visitors with unique experiences and educational programs. The organization strives to educate and act upon the issues of climate change and loss of biodiversity.
The park sits on nearly 10,000 acres of land.
The Wilds/Facebook During the 1940-80s, the area where The Wilds is now located was surface mined for coal. In 1984, The Wilds received a gift of over 9,000 acres of land from the Central Ohio Coal Company. The land is now home to multiple habitats with rare and endangered species from around the world.
When you visit, you can meet incredible animals.
The Wilds/Facebook You will see mammals like cheetahs, the Common Eland, and the Fringe-Eared Oryx. You will see birds like the ostrich and the Trumpeter Swan. You will also get to meet creatures like the Eastern Hellbender, and the American Burying Beetle. Click here for a full list of animals and to learn more about them.
The best way to visit The Wilds is on an open-air safari.
The Wilds/Facebook For $30 per person, you will discover the areas of The Wilds from an open-air vehicle. The tour is led by knowledgeable guides, and you will get to see giraffes, rhinos, and many others. Tours take about two hours and run daily from May through September, and on weekends only in October. Reservations are recommended.
To get to know more about the park and the work they do, join the Wildside Tour.
The Wilds/Facebook For $125 per person, you can experience The Wilds at work. On this tour, you will get to see the Animal Management specialists at work. The tour varies day-by-day, but you might get to observe staff conducting medical procedures or feeding the animals. The Wildside Tour is available daily from April through October. Reservations are recommended.
You can also enjoy The Wilds during the winter with the Winter at The Wilds Tour.
The Wilds/Facebook To get an up close and unique experience, visit the park during the winter. The Winter at The Wilds tour costs $125 per person and allows you to view the animals in their winter housing. You will get to see baby rhinos and giraffes, and also learn about the enrichment activities provided for the animals to keep them entertained during the colder months. Reservations are required.
The Wilds offers a lot more than just entertainment.
The Wilds/Facebook As awesome and fun as the park is to visitors, it is also a very important research center. The Wilds provides excellent immersive internships to students studying a wide range of topics, including conservation and animal management. Internships and apprenticeships at The Wilds allow participants to learn about the park and to guide their own research.
The Wilds also provides a number of enriching educational programs for kids.
The Wilds/Facebook The Wilds believes that people learn best through hands-on activities and they offer a variety of programs that uphold that belief. Naturalist-led tours and camping programs are available for children 8-18, which strive to teach children everything from outdoor skills to the importance of protecting species around the world.
Start planning your visit today!
The Wilds/Facebook The Wilds are fun, exciting, and enriching for the whole family. You can stay overnight at one of the facilities provided by the park to get the most out of your visit. Explore the park through many activities including horseback riding, zip line canopy tours, night hikes, and safari fishing. Your visit will allow you to join a worldwide mission to understand and empower conservation efforts.
The Wilds are located at 1400 International Rd., Cumberland, OH 43732. Visit the park’s website for all other information. Share you experience at The Wilds with us!
The Wilds/Facebook
The Wilds is a private non-profit organization. They were formally incorporated in 1984 and opened to the public for tours in 1994. The park is designed to serve both as a research center for conservation science and as a venue to provide visitors with unique experiences and educational programs. The organization strives to educate and act upon the issues of climate change and loss of biodiversity.
During the 1940-80s, the area where The Wilds is now located was surface mined for coal. In 1984, The Wilds received a gift of over 9,000 acres of land from the Central Ohio Coal Company. The land is now home to multiple habitats with rare and endangered species from around the world.
You will see mammals like cheetahs, the Common Eland, and the Fringe-Eared Oryx. You will see birds like the ostrich and the Trumpeter Swan. You will also get to meet creatures like the Eastern Hellbender, and the American Burying Beetle. Click here for a full list of animals and to learn more about them.
For $30 per person, you will discover the areas of The Wilds from an open-air vehicle. The tour is led by knowledgeable guides, and you will get to see giraffes, rhinos, and many others. Tours take about two hours and run daily from May through September, and on weekends only in October. Reservations are recommended.
For $125 per person, you can experience The Wilds at work. On this tour, you will get to see the Animal Management specialists at work. The tour varies day-by-day, but you might get to observe staff conducting medical procedures or feeding the animals. The Wildside Tour is available daily from April through October. Reservations are recommended.
To get an up close and unique experience, visit the park during the winter. The Winter at The Wilds tour costs $125 per person and allows you to view the animals in their winter housing. You will get to see baby rhinos and giraffes, and also learn about the enrichment activities provided for the animals to keep them entertained during the colder months. Reservations are required.
As awesome and fun as the park is to visitors, it is also a very important research center. The Wilds provides excellent immersive internships to students studying a wide range of topics, including conservation and animal management. Internships and apprenticeships at The Wilds allow participants to learn about the park and to guide their own research.
The Wilds believes that people learn best through hands-on activities and they offer a variety of programs that uphold that belief. Naturalist-led tours and camping programs are available for children 8-18, which strive to teach children everything from outdoor skills to the importance of protecting species around the world.
The Wilds are fun, exciting, and enriching for the whole family. You can stay overnight at one of the facilities provided by the park to get the most out of your visit. Explore the park through many activities including horseback riding, zip line canopy tours, night hikes, and safari fishing. Your visit will allow you to join a worldwide mission to understand and empower conservation efforts.
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