Experience a 'close encounter' at Wildlife Safari

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By Lindsey Kovacevich KPIC News

Story Published: Jan 28, 2009 at 10:39 AM PDT

WINSTON, Ore. - Oregon's Wildlife Safari has a hidden secret, one where you can get inches away from exotic animals like elephants, cheetahs, bears and lions.

Animal feedings and encounters are the safari's hidden treasure, where you can actually feed the animals and get an up close look.

"Behind the scenes encounters - they are really fantastic," said Director Dan Van Slyke. "It's an opportunity to get up really close, I mean just inches from a lion or just inches from a big grizzly - a 1,200 pound grizzly. It's one of the few zoos in the nation where you can actually touch an elephant and bathe an elephant and ride an elephant. We even have one called 'Feast of Kings,' where we bring a carcass out and the lions come out to feed on the carcass. Sometimes we tie that in with one of our own events, like if we have a big rib feed here, we will tie that in with the feast of kings and it really makes it a fun encounter."

Seeing bears in hibernation is a new encounter the park offers.

Another great experience is having a one-of-a-kind wedding at the safari, where the animals become a part of your big day.

"We had a big wedding last year where we had the elephant for the ring bearer, or we can bring our cheetah into a wedding," said Van Slyke.

Van Slyke said a new lion will be joining the family next month and they are going to build a new cougar exhibit.

The safari staff is always thinking of new ways to get the public involved and coming up with ideas for educational opportunities.

About Wildlife Safari

  • The Wildlife Safari is located at 1790 Safari Road in Winston, Oregon.
    • From I-5 take Exit 119 west toward Winston.
    • Follow Highway 42/99 for approximately 2 miles.
    • Turn right on Lookinglass Road.
    • Follow the signs on the right.
    • See the location on a Google Map.
  • Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (October 1 through March 8) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (March 9 to October 1).
  • Close encounters cost extra and reservations are required.  You can get details here.

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