Animal Lesson #5: The Wilds Conservation Park in Ohio

 You don't need to buy an expensive airplane ticket and get a passport to teach your kids about animals and Africa.  Who would think that North America's largest conservation parks with endangered animals is located in Ohio?  It's true.  You can drive to 14000 International Road, Cumberland, OH and take your kids on an educational safari.

The Wilds mission is "advancing conservation through science, education, and personal experience". It's a 9,000 plus acre conservation park that opened to the public in 1994.  You might have heard about it from Jack Hanna because he serves as a board member.

The Wilds takes care of 27 species of rare or endangered animals living in a 14 square mile area of reclaimed mining land.  This family friendly place gives you an opportunity to teach your children about conservation. 

We went with three toddlers and they loved the adventure.  You can choose from the Safari Transport Pass (bus) or Open-Air Safari.  I chose the Open-Air Safari because it got us close to the animals and allowed us to easily photograph the animals.  The tour lasts for over two hours and includes stops at Lake Trail and Carnivore Center.

With toddlers, you might want a simple game to keep their eyes wide open:

Activity Idea #1:  Animal BINGO
Go to The Wilds website, print off the animal photos, cut them out and place them on a BINGO card.  First kid to complete a row or diagonal line wins.

For older kids, you can connect nature and geography:

Activity Idea #2:  Animal World Map
Print the animal photos and have the kids paste them onto the world map, according to the animal origin:
      *Banteng; Southeast Asia & vulnerable
      *Dhole, East and Southern Africa & least concern
      *African painted dog, Sub-Sharan Africa
      *Eld's deer, Southeast Asia & endangered
      *Indochina Sika Deer, East Asia & least concern
      *Grevy's Zebra, Kenya & Ethipia & endgangerd
      *Perisan Onager, Syria/Iran/Pakistan, India, Israel & endangered

Activity Idea #3:  Conservation Index IQ
Discuss the conservation index ranging from Extinct in the Wild (EW) to Least Concern (LC).  On paper draw the range with each category:  EW, CR, EN, VU, NT, LC.  Then place the animals in their current category status:
      *EW:  Pere David's Deer, Extinct in the Wild (formerly China)
      *CR:  Bactrian Camel, Critically Endangered (Central & Southeast Asia)
      *EN:  Przewalski's Wild Horse, Endangered (Central Asia)
      *VU:  Sichuan Takin, Vulnerable (Tibet & China)
      *NT:  Southern White Rhino, Nearly Threatened
      *LC:  Sable Antelope, Least concern, (East Africa & Southern Africa)

Tip:  Bring your hiking shoes!  Even though it's a bus tour, the tour gives you time to walk to ponds or throughout the Carnivore Conservation Center (opened in 2007 with cheetahs and African wild dogs).  You'll see unique animals and wildflowers, so get off the bus.

I hope you can experience it too. Season opens May 2nd.  Camps available June-August.
Learn more at http://www.thewilds.org/.  For a few more photos, go to my personal collection "The Wilds" at http://www.flickr.com/photos/krenda/sets/.  If you have a scout troop, check out their Scout Day Program offering tour, meal, and canoe usage for one packaged price.