Bearizona

Last updated

Bearizona
Bearizona logo.png
Bearizona Arizona animal park.jpg
The park's entrance
Bearizona
35°15′06″N112°08′52″W / 35.2518°N 112.1477°W / 35.2518; -112.1477
Date openedMay 22, 2010
Location1500 E Hist. Rte 66, Williams, AZ 86046
Land area158 acres (64 ha)
No. of species~23 [1]
Annual visitors300,000 (2015) [2]
Memberships AAZK, ZAA [1]
OwnerSean Casey [3]
Website bearizona.com

Bearizona is a drive-through safari park near Williams, Arizona, on Historic Route 66. It contains a variety of animals that visitors can see up close from their car or shuttle. [4] It was founded in 2010 and is known for its black bear cubs.

Contents

History

The park was started by Sean and Dennis Casey, whose parents had founded Bear Country USA. another drive-through safari park, in Rapid City, South Dakota. [5] They chose Williams as the location for their own park as they hoped it would have high traffic as it is located near the intersection of I-40 and SR 64, which leads to Grand Canyon National Park. [3] The park also had a suitable climate. [6] It cost $15 million to create. [7]

The zoo's concept was approved by the city in July 2009 and the Caseys bought the property in August. [6] Roads began construction in October. [8] The park's grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on May 22, 2010. It was attended by the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor of Williams, John Moore. [9] A jaguar exhibit opened in 2016. [2] In March 2017, the park had to go on lockdown due to an armed suspect coming near the park. No one was injured. [10] The Canyonlands restaurant opened in May of the same year. [11] [12] In 2018, an otter exhibit opened. [13] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the park remained open with additional preventative measures for visitors in order to avoid contracting the virus. It reported increased numbers during the first month of the pandemic. [14]

Description

The park is 158 acres (64 ha) in size, containing three miles (4.8 km) of roads. [15] [16] The majority of the zoo is covered by a ponderosa pine forest. [1] It is closed from December 31 to March 1. [17]

Most of the animals can be found in Fort Bearizona, a 20-acre (8.1 ha) section of the park that is set up more like a traditional zoo. [1] [18] It contains many black bear cubs, which are one of the zoo's main attractions. [17] [19] The park also contains a 6,000 square feet (560 m2) sit-down restaurant, Canyonlands, and a 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2) gift shop. [11] [15] During the winter season, Bearizona has a Wild Wonderland festival where 400,000 lights synchronized with Christmas music are placed on the trees along with winter-themed events. [20]

Animals

Animals that can be found at the zoo include: [1]

Harris's hawk, Livingstone's turaco, black vulture, red-legged seriema, fennec fox, crested porcupine, striped skunk, Argentine black and white tegu, milk snake, mountain coati, and three-banded armadillo are animals that can be seen through shows and presentations. [1]

Animal conservation

The park contains a pond with captured northern leopard frogs, which was created in partnership with federal and state agencies to provide a safe habitat for the recovering populations of the species. The zoo also rehabilitates and provides a habitat for animals that are unable to be re-released into the wild. Half of the animals are rescues. [6] Water is reused often to conserve resources in the dry climate and scrap metal is repurposed into many structures. [1] Some metal, especially shipping containers and RVs, came from the aftermath of the October 2010 Arizona tornado outbreak and hailstorm in Bellemont. [3]

Controversies

In 2014, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) reported that Bearizona was transferring some of its bear cubs to Oswald's Bear Ranch in Michigan, which has been known to violate animal welfare laws. [21] Documents from the Arizona Game and Fish Department also revealed that the zoo had previously sent bears to similar, United States Department of Agriculture-cited, facilities in Minnesota and Texas. [22] [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronx Zoo</span> Metropolitan zoo in the Bronx, New York

The Bronx Zoo is a zoo within Bronx Park in the Bronx, New York. It is one of the largest zoos in the United States by area and is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States by area, comprising 265 acres (107 ha) of park lands and naturalistic habitats separated by the Bronx River. On average, the zoo has 2.15 million visitors each year as of 2009. The zoo's original permanent buildings, known as Astor Court, were designed as a series of Beaux-Arts pavilions grouped around the large circular sea lion pool. The Rainey Memorial Gates were designed by sculptor Paul Manship in 1934 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden</span> Zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the sixth oldest zoo in the United States, founded in 1873 and officially opening in 1875. It is located in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It originally began with 64.5 acres (26.1 ha) in the middle of the city, but has spread into the neighboring blocks and several reserves in Cincinnati's outer suburbs. It was appointed as a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

The Saint Louis Zoo, officially known as the Saint Louis Zoological Park, is a zoo in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. It is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Admission is free based on a public subsidy from a cultural tax district, the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD); fees are charged for some special attractions. A special feature is the 2 ft narrow-gauge Emerson Zooline Railroad with passenger trains pulled by Chance Rides C.P. Huntington locomotives that encircle the zoo, stopping at the more popular attractions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Diego Zoo</span> Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, United States

The San Diego Zoo is a zoo in San Diego, California, housing 4,000 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies on 100 acres (40 ha) of Balboa Park. Its parent organization, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, is a private nonprofit conservation organization, and has one of the largest zoological membership associations in the world, with more than 250,000 member households, overall representing more than a half million people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Zoo</span> Zoo in Portland, Oregon, United States

The Oregon Zoo, originally the Portland Zoo and later the Washington Park Zoo, is a zoo located in Washington Park, Portland, Oregon, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of downtown Portland. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oakland Zoo</span> Zoo in Oakland, California, United States

The Oakland Zoo is a zoo located in the Grass Valley neighborhood of Oakland, California, United States. Established on June 6, 1922, it is managed by the Conservation Society of California, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife both locally and globally. The zoo is home to more than 850 native and exotic animals and is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Midlands Safari Park</span> Safari park in Worcestershire, England

West Midlands Safari Park is a safari park located in Bewdley in Worcestershire, England. It was opened under the name of West Midland Safari Park in Spring 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden</span> Zoo in Indiana, United States

The Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is a zoo that opened in 1928 in Evansville, Indiana, United States. It is located in Mesker Park on Evansville's northwest side and is run by the City of Evansville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife Safari</span> Safari park in Winston, Oregon

Wildlife Safari is a drive-through safari and zoological park in Winston, Oregon, United States. The park’s main draw are the 615-acre (249 ha) pastures and field enclosures which visitors drive their own vehicles through, enabling many up-close animal encounters and photo opportunities. These expansive field exhibits, divided into regions such as Africa, Asia and the Americas, mainly feature the park’s ungulate herds and larger hoofed mammals, as well as larger species of birds, including cranes and ratites. Visitors also drive past naturalistic exhibits featuring black and brown bears, cheetahs, lions and tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White lion</span> Rare colour mutation of the Kruger subspecies of lion

The white lion is a rare colour mutation of the lion, specifically the Southern African lion. White lions in the area of Timbavati are thought to have been indigenous to the Timbavati region of South Africa for centuries, although the earliest recorded sighting in this region was in 1938. White lions first became known to the English-speaking world in 1977 through the book The White Lions of Timbavati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Zoo</span> Non-profit zoo opened 1962 and located in Phoenix, Arizona, United States

The Phoenix Zoo opened in 1962 and is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates on 125 acres (51 ha) of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium</span> Zoo and aquarium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is a zoo and aquarium in the United States, one of only six major zoo and aquarium hybrids in the United States. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Highland Park, the zoo sits on 77 acres (31 ha) of park land where it exhibits more than 4,000 animals representing 475 species, including 20 threatened or endangered species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denver Zoo</span> Zoo in Denver, Colorado, US

Denver Zoo is an 80-acre (32 ha) nonprofit zoological garden located in City Park of Denver, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1896, it is operated by the Denver Zoological Foundation and funded in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) in addition to ticket sales and private donations. It is the most visited paid attraction in Colorado.

The Riverside Discovery Center, formerly named the Riverside Park and Zoo, is a park and zoo complex along the North Platte River in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, United States.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo of Providence, Rhode Island, contains more than 800 animals in natural settings from a total of 160 species from around the world. In 1986, the zoo became the first zoo in New England to earn accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Founded in 1872, the zoo is the third oldest zoo in the nation. The zoo and the nearby Carousel Village are some of the main attractions of Roger Williams Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hogle Zoo</span> Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.

Located at the mouth of Salt Lake City's Emigration Canyon, Utah's Hogle Zoo is a 42-acre (17 ha) Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) accredited facility. Hogle Zoo is one of the largest zoological facilities in the Intermountain West, and houses over 800 animals representing 250 species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safari World</span> Tourist attraction in Bangkok

Safari World is a tourist attraction in Bangkok, Thailand that consists of two parks named Marine Park and Safari Park, operated by Safari World Public Limited. The park was opened in 1988 with a total area of 480 acres (190 ha) for its open zoo and 180 acres (73 ha) for its bird park. A major renovation to enhance effectiveness of land use began on 17 April 1989 and its total area developed for the leisure park now consists of an open zoo and a marine park on 500 rai of land.

The Zoo Sauvage de St-Félicien is one of the largest zoos in the province of Quebec. Located in Saint-Félicien, the zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation of the boreal climate and is managed by The Centre for Conservation of Boreal Biodiversity inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkshire Wildlife Park</span> Wildlife park in South Yorkshire, England

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a zoo, wildlife conservation and rehabilition centre and tourist attraction located in Branton, south-east of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It opened in 2009 on the site of Brockholes Farm, a former riding school and petting zoo, and features 500 animals of 100 species. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is an official member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chehaw Park</span> Park and zoo in Albany, Georgia, U.S.

Chehaw Park is a park and zoo located in Albany, Georgia. The park was originally opened as Chehaw State Park in 1937, and currently covers 800 acres (320 ha). The Wild Animal Park was designed by naturalist Jim Fowler of television's Wild Kingdom. Fowler is originally from Albany, Georgia. It was opened in 1997, and features boardwalks in the cypress swamps that take visitors through natural habitat exhibits.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Official website" . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Vanek, Corina (August 11, 2016). "Bearizona jaguar exhibit to open Sunday". Arizona Daily Sun . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Bruner, Betsey (October 10, 2011). "Up Close: Keeper of the bears". Arizona Daily Sun . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  4. "Bearizona Wildlife Park". Experience Williams. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  5. Soderlin, Barbara (May 23, 2012). "Casey brothers find success with Bearizona". Rapid City Journal . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 Craven, Scott (September 7, 2015). "Bearizona: Where bear, buffalo and other wild creatures roam". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  7. Cowan, Emery (March 21, 2015). "Bearizona gets new batch of tiny cubs". Arizona Daily Sun . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  8. "Bearizona celebrates 8th anniversary May 22". AZ Big Media. May 18, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  9. Williams, Ryan (June 2, 2010). "Bearizona wildlife park opens doors". Navajo-Hopi Observer . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  10. "Bearizona wildlife park in Arizona on lockdown due to armed suspect". Fox News. March 27, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Walton, Elizabeth (May 18, 2017). "Grand opening of Canyonlands Restaurant at Bearizona". KOLD-TV . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  12. "Canyonlands Restaurant at Bearizona officially opens". Williams-Grand Canyon News. May 23, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  13. James, Loretta (June 19, 2018). "New otter exhibit opens at Bearizona". Williams-Grand Canyon News. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  14. "Bearizona Provides Refuge for Tourists Avoiding Crowds, Reports Surprising Surge of Visitors in February" (Press release). March 16, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2024 via PRWeb.
  15. 1 2 "Bearizona Wildlife Park". Arizona Attractions. July 12, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  16. "Black bear triplets debut at Bearizona Wildlife Park". KABC-TV. March 17, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Webb, Janet (July 31, 2011). "Drive-through Bearizona offers close-up look at wildlife". Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  18. Molen, Jan (December 14, 2019). "Go wild at three of Arizona's best animal parks". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  19. Lacey, Mark (August 2, 2011). "Keep the Windows and Sunroofs Closed in Bearizona". The New York Times . Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  20. "Bearizona kicks off Wild Wonderland holiday attraction Dec. 6". KOLD-TV. December 4, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  21. Winders, Delcianna (October 8, 2014). "Bearizona Offloading Bears to Abusive Outfits". People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  22. Heinsius, Ryan (October 9, 2014). "Wildlife Advocates Urge Bearizona to Sever Ties with Questionable Bear Facilities". KNAU . Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  23. Edsitty, Charly (October 14, 2014). "PETA asks Bearizona to change animal-transfer policy". The Arizona Republic . Retrieved February 28, 2024.