Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park - September 24, 2013.

boulderridgewap.com

The Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park is a serious breeding zoo that also allows visitors of all ages. Located at 8313 Pratt Lake Road, not far from the intersection of Pratt Lake and 84th Street, it is a rapidly growing zoo in an unsuspected location. There are animals from all over the world. While it's not clear for now what motivates the choice of animals, the goal, like that of other breeding zoos, is to help meet the demand for domestic zoos for specimens without taking any more out of a shrinking wild population. The zoo works with similar zoos to ensure genetic diversity.

The zoo is growing rapidly, thanks to the success of both it's breeding program - the primary purpose of the zoo - and a visitor program, which includes a "Safari Ride" through the breeding areas. The key to breeding a species is an appropriate habitat, and suitable food. The success of the breeding program speaks to the overall care of the animals.

In a restricted area, one can buy food appropriate for feeding the animals, and this appears to be quite successful as well. Photo 53 shows a small bison being feed. Usually bison even this size are not necessarily comfortable with people, but this one is. One is a bit torn about making pan handlers of some of the animals, but, as Barnum sort of said, men and women, and children of all ages, get a kick out of interacting with the animals, and in a small way it helps the zoo pay for its sizable food bill. Much of the staff has a biology or zoology background, and like their work. They will answer questions.

There are many more animals being bred than are on display, and the zoo hopes to make more available to visitors.

The photos below are quite large when expanded. Some of the photos have captions. Others are obvious. One question might be why the very young zebra and bison are by themselves. Sometimes the parent reject young, and it can be dangerous for the young to be in a herd.