Wild Animal Park (Chittenango)
| Wild Animal Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 43°5′33″N 75°52′32″W / 43.09250°N 75.87556°W | |
| Date opened | 2010 |
| Location | Chittenango, New York, United States |
| Land area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Owner | Jeff Taylor |
| Website | https://thewildpark.com/ |
The Wild Animal Park is a zoo, safari park, and resort in Chittenango, New York.
History
[edit]The zoo was founded by Jeff Taylor in 2010.[1] Taylor had grown up on a dairy farm and designed zoo enclosures in study hall during grade school. He built the zoo over a period of three years.[2]
Exhibits and attractions
[edit]The park covers 14 acres and hosts dozens of species.[3] The zoo's enclosures are designed to mimic the habitats of their respective animal, and the facility includes heated shelters for use in winter.[4] Its big cat exhibits include lions, tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, and leopards.[5][6][7] The zoo also hosts primates, reptiles, penguins, zebras, antelopes, kangaroos, camels, pygmy hippos, binturongs, warthogs, porcupines, black bears, birds and domestic animals.[8][6][9][10] The majority of its animals were acquired from other zoos during infancy.[11]
The park hosts programs and events to raise awareness of conservation and encourage interest in wildlife.[12] Visitors are allowed to participate in animal encounters that involve feeding animals like giraffes,[13][14] otters, sloths, penguins,[15] capybaras,[16] camels and goats.[6]
The zoo participates in breeding programs and Species Survival Plans for endangered species.[4] Several animals were born at the zoo in 2017, including a jaguar cub, two zebras, lemurs, and a binturong.[8] On October 25, 2021, a giraffe named Jahzara was born at the zoo. It is the first giraffe born in Central New York.[17][18] A second giraffe named Jabari was born on June 24, 2023. The name Jabari means "the fearless one" in Swahili and was chosen by a contest held on Facebook and Instagram.[19]
Safari park
[edit]The park opened a drive-thru safari park in 2020 in order to continue operating during the COVID-19 pandemic when social distancing disrupted its operations.[20] Several species of animals, including zebra, wildebeest, watusi, water buffalo, and tigers are present in the safari park.[21][22]
The Haven of the Wild
[edit]In 2022, a $10 million expansion to the park was announced. The planned expansions included a wedding venue and resort, as well as luxury camping accommodations in the safari park.[1][23] The project was initially delayed while the park awaited permits,[24][25] and construction began in 2023.[26]
The Haven of the Wild resort was opened in early 2025, with a series of bungalows overlooking the lion and tiger enclosures,[5][27] as well as a wedding and event center.[28] The campground in the safari park is scheduled to open later in 2025.[29]
Concert venue
[edit]A concert venue was built at the park in 2025. The first concert, headlined by country pop singer Ashley Cooke, is scheduled to take place on July 26, 2025.[30]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Doran, Elizabeth (2022-02-15). "A penguin as ringbearer? Hot tubbing near lions? CNY park plans $10M expansion into weddings, glamping". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Chittenango's Jeff Taylor opens zoo/theme park to entertain and educate". The Post-Standard. 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Barnes, Steve (July 5, 2023). "36 points of interest near the New York State Thruway". Times Union.
- ^ a b admin (2025-05-11). "Visit Chittenango's Wild Animal Park: Adventure Awaits!". University of Missouri. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ a b "Wake up to lions roaring and tigers playing right outside your window!". Local Syracuse. 2024-08-02. Archived from the original on 2025-01-12. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ a b c Baker, Ryan (May 2021). "The Wild Animal Park is Open for Visitors". NCC News. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "The Wild Animal Park opens for the season April 28". Oneida Dispatch. 2018-04-27. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ a b Moses Buckshot, Sarah (2017-04-28). "Baby fever? Wild Animal Park in Chittenango is booming with babies (photos)". syracuse. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Rondenelli, Jim (2022-06-02). "Wild Animal Park In Chittenango To Debut Four New Exhibits". WIBX 950. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Observer-Dispatch. "Animal park in Chittenango opens for season Saturday". Utica Observer Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Potrikus, Alaina (2012-10-05). "The Wild Animal Park in Chittenango offers exotic animals, family fun for all ages". syracuse. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ ""Animal Encounters" Build Passion For Animals, Conservation". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Schild, Scott (2016-05-23). "Wild Animal Park in Chittenango: Get close enough to kiss (photos)". New York Upstate. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Awesome animal encounters in Upstate NY: Zoos, sanctuaries and other family fun". New York Upstate. 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Roth, Brandon (2023-02-01). "Animal encounters bring visitors face to face with furry friends at the Wild Animal Park". WSTM. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Roth, Brandon (2025-04-23). "Brandon's Bright Spot: The Wild Animal Park". WSTM. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Roth, Brandon (2021-10-28). "'The Wild' animal park welcomes baby giraffe, first ever born in CNY". WSTM. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ CNYCentral (2021-02-03). "A giraffe at Chittenango's The Wild Animal Park is pregnant!". WSTM. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Carollo, Marissa (2023-07-18). "Meet Jabari: the baby giraffe born at The Wild Animal Park". Rome Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Pritchard, Charles (2021-01-29). "Town drops lawsuit against animal park as both sides look to future". Rome Sentinel. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Laible, Barbara. "The Wild Animal Park opens drive-thru safari". Utica Observer Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Hernandez, Sunny (2020-05-18). "The Wild Animal Park to open this week with new drive-thru safari". syracuse. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Chittenango animal park looks toward expanding". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Doran, Elizabeth (2023-07-18). "Owner of CNY animal park pulls expansion plan that called for glamping and wedding venue". syracuse. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ DesRosiers, Maggie (2023-07-19). "The Wild Animal Park owner drops ambitious expansion plans due to zoning hurdles". WSTM. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Dreams of Safari Weddings & Overnights in the Wild Becoming a Reality in CNY". Big Frog 104. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Broddus, Kendra (February 4, 2024). "The Wild Animal Park expanding to a new location". LocalSyr.com.
- ^ Dollanganger, Coco (2025-05-13). "This Luxurious Getaway In Upstate New York Has An Unexpected Amenity: Tigers". TheTravel. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ PollyPolly (2024-04-02). "Sneak Peek Inside The Haven, An Exclusive Wildlife Resort In Central NY". Big Frog 104. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Herbert, Geoff (2024-12-02). "New concert venue at Central NY animal park announces first show". syracuse. Retrieved 2025-06-16.