Located in Cumberland, Ohio, The Wilds is a non-profit conservation park that covers an area of almost 10,000 acres. This facility is not like a normal zoo, with exhibits and buildings; rather, it provides a natural habitat where animals can live and scientists can research different species. Guests can see animals at The Wilds as they would be seen in nature.
The idea for the Wilds was first proposed in 1984. Originally, this facility was going to be a partnership between the Ohio Departments of Natural Resources and Development, the Ohio Zoological Parks, and private donors. Around this time, the Wilds was incorporated as The International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals. They received a gift of land in 1986 and opened their visitor center in 1989. The first animals were brought to this area in 1991, and the public began accessing the park in 1994. Today, the Wilds is a private facility with close ties to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The Wilds does not serve as a place for people to take tours and see animals, but is rather a conservation area for research and animal management. One of the focuses of the facility is conservation medicine. Scientists at The Wilds research animal health, finding links between the health of the environment, the health of animal species, and the health of humans as a whole. The goal of those studying conservation medicine here is to solve medical problems in a way that takes ecology into consideration. Residents here are experts in fields such as veterinary medicine, wildlife management, restoration biology, and so forth, and their experiences and research helps both animals and people.
Animal Management, Husbandry, and Health is another main research program topic at the Wilds. Many of the animals found at this facility have declining numbers in the wild, and smaller population in isolated areas can cause severe genetic problems for future generations. At this facility, they work to supplement wild populations is the most natural way possible. Most of the animals here are free-range on the 10,000 acre grounds, so returning animals to the wild is much easier and more successful than in most captivity-based breeding programs.
Restoration Ecology is also a research program at The Wilds. The environment at this center is not full of enclosures and changes. Instead, animals are able to roam the grounds as they would in nature, with few barriers. Researchers can study the impact of certain environments on these animals to learn more about restoration and environment health in the wild.
The Wilds is home to both native Ohio species and exotic species of animals that do well in Ohio's climate. Some of the animals you can see here include Przewalski's wild houses, bacrian camels, Pere David's deer, bison, giraffes, swans, African wild dogs, Grevy's sebras, cheetahs, rhinoceroses, and American burying beetles. They also have a Carnivore Conservation Center, full of education information about some of the animals found at the facility, a Caf,, a Butterfly Habitat, and a Birding Station. All tours are guided by staff members, and guest can book a tour from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily during June, July, and August or on weeks during May, September, and October. There are a number of different tour options available. For more information visitors can call the Wilds at 740-638-5030.
