Jungle Cat World
Jungle Cat World, originally named "Orono Exotic Cat World," is a wildlife park that was established in 1983 by Wolfram and Christa Klose.[3] The park is still owned and operated by the Klose family.[4] It is located in Orono, Ontario, Canada, approximately 45 minutes east of Toronto off of Highway 35/115. Jungle Cat World is open year round and has many other mammals and birds aside from its cats. The reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates at the zoo are used for educational wildlife programs but are not on public display.
Jungle Cat World was initially just a tourist attraction to show exotic animals, primarily for recreation rather than education. Over the years, the park has taken a much more active role in educating visitors. Every day, a zookeeper leads an educational feeding tour around the wildlife park, during which the large cats, wolves, and primates are fed.[5] The Wildlife Safari Outreach Program brings the Jungle Cat World's staff and animals to institutions, events, and television shows. As the Wildlife Educator provides information and conservation facts at these functions, the Animal Coordinator handles and displays the animals to the audience.[6] Jungle Cat World's Night Safari is a guided tour around the wildlife park at night. This allows the public an opportunity to observe some of the activities of the nocturnal animals.[7] "Behind the Scenes" is a private forty-five minute program with an Animal Coordinator. It offers hands on experience and a photo opportunity with three of the animals at the zoo.[8] Jungle Cat World also has a bed and breakfast lodge, hosts birthday parties, and is home to a residential summer camp.
The park has been accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) since 1989[9] and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Jungle Cat World is also supported by the Endangered Species Fund of Canada.[10]
Safari Zoo Camp
Jungle Cat World has offered an overnight summer camp called Safari Zoo Camp since 1995.[11] Between the end of June and the end of August, approximately 300 campers,[12] from ages six to twenty-one, come each year to experience one of the nine Zoo Camp sessions. Situated on the Jungle Cat World property, the campground and sleeping quarters are located outside of the zoo's perimeter. Safari Zoo Camp allows campers to gain hands-on experience zoo keeping and handling animals and reptiles. Campers are also educated on animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and eco-friendly living by participating in some of the above mentioned activities that Jungle Cat World offers. Campers partake in the Night Safari, feeding tours, earth stewardship discussions, and environmental cleanup around Lake Ontario and the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area.[13] Senior campers have the opportunity to present and feed animals during the feeding tours and to present and handle animals at Wildlife Safari Outreach Presentations in the surrounding community. In 2011, Safari Zoo Camp was named as one of the top ten greenest summer camps in North America.[14] The camp has also been accredited as a member of the Ontario Camps Association.[15]
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