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CUMBERLAND, Ohio - Wildlife enthusiasts who are looking to enjoy beauty of nature—all while making a difference for giraffes—are invited to Fall Safari at The Wilds!
This fundraiser is taking place at the conservation center on Friday, October 6, 2023. Guests can begin arriving at 3:30 p.m. prior to when Open-Air Safari Tours, presented by G&J Pepsi, begin at 4 p.m. During these tours through vast pastures with rare and threatened species, guests will have the opportunity to visit one of four pre-selected tour locations. Afterward, guests are invited to mingle, participate in games, and then sit down to a delicious dinner while learning more about The Wilds’ conservation work during an inspirational presentation.
This year’s event will also feature an exciting Live Auction and meaningful Fund-A-Need, which will raise funds for a new, state-of-the-art giraffe barn. This barn will provide the giraffes with an expansive new space during the winter, where they can exercise while staying cozy and warm. The barn also provides privacy for giraffe mothers with newborn calves.
The Wilds has a long history of giraffe conservation. Just this summer, The Wilds celebrated the births of two endangered Masai giraffe calves, marking the 22nd and 23rd giraffe calves born at the conservation center throughout its history.
The births are a significant achievement for the future of Masai giraffes. In 2019, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the Masai giraffe subspecies as endangered as the population has plummeted by nearly 50 percent over the last three decades. There are estimated to be only 35,000 Masai giraffes remaining in their native ranges in southern Kenya and north and central Tanzania primarily due to habitat loss, civil unrest/military operations, poaching and ecological changes.
While spaces are limited during Fall Safari at The Wilds, tickets are still available for purchase through The Wilds’ website. For those who are unable to attend but would still like to support the giraffe barn project, the Fall Safari online silent auction is open to the public until Thursday, October 5 at 8 p.m. Donations can also be made to the Fall Safari Fund.
The Wilds is currently open daily through October, and is then open for Winter Wildside tours. The new calves may be visible to guests during a Wildside Tour. The Wildside Tour currently provides guests with the unique opportunity to visit the Giraffe Barn to interact with the world’s tallest mammal species. The giraffes are residing at the barn while their pasture shelter is completed as part of the conservation center’s commitment to enhance their care and wellbeing. Wildside Tours are presented by AEP Ohio.
For more information about The Wilds’ conservation initiatives, educational offerings, how to become a member, or to schedule a tour, please visit TheWilds.org and follow The Wilds’ social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
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About The Wilds
The Wilds sits on almost 10,000 acres of lush landscapes along the Appalachian Byway and attracts nearly 120,000 visitors annually. With the mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife., The Wilds is among one of the largest, cutting-edge conservation centers in North America and is home to more than 500 animals representing 28 rare and endangered species from around the world. The Wilds operates tours, overnight accommodations, special events, and summer camps as a source of revenue. The Wilds is located at 14000 International Road in Cumberland, Ohio, about 90 minutes east of Columbus. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day from May through October. For more information, visit TheWilds.org.
