West Coast Game Park Safari

West Coast Game Park

Bella the lion cub
Date opened 1968
Location 46914 Highway 101
Bandon, Oregon, USA
Coordinates 43°00′36″N 124°24′55″W / 43.009957°N 124.415284°WCoordinates: 43°00′36″N 124°24′55″W / 43.009957°N 124.415284°W
Land area 21 acres (8.5 ha)
Number of animals 450
Number of species 75[1][2]
Annual visitors 60,000 [3]
Owner Bob Tenney
Website gameparksafari.com

The West Coast Game Park Safari is a walk-through safari park in Bandon, Oregon. It opened in 1968, and includes snow leopards, lions, Bengal tigers, emu, capybara, and cougars.[2][4]

The park is a petting zoo and captive breeding program, including endangered species such as the snow leopard.[5] They sell and loan big cats to other parks and zoos.[5]

In 1985, Bob Tenney, the park owner, stated the game park received 60,000 visitors per year.[3]

Two American black bears (biological sisters) from the game park were bought in 2001 and 2002 by Baylor University in Texas, as their mascot is the Baylor Bears.[6]

Oregon competition to the West Coast Game Park Safari comes from Wildlife Safari in Winston.[3][7]

Criticisms

West Coast Game Park Safari was featured on the website GlobalAnimal.org's list of "Animal Attractions to Avoid" in November of 2011. Visitors reported many of the animals being kept in small cages. [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Creatures tamer at Bandon park". Eugene Register-Guard. 1990-06-24. p. 30. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kuechle, Jeff (2006-04-09). "Combing the Coast - More Outdoors (advertorial)". The Oregonian. pp. Special 26.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Game park's owner opposes funding for Wildlife Safari". Eugene Register-Guard. 1985-12-21. p. 3. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  4. ↑ "GETTING TO KNOW YOU (picture caption)". The Oregonian. 2006-04-03. pp. B02.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Griffith, John (1990-03-14). "ENDANGERED LEOPARDS THRIVE IN BANDON GAME PARK". The Oregonian. pp. B02.
  6. ↑ "Baylor University: Baylor Bear Program: FAQ". Baylor University. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  7. ↑ "PARK BEGINS EXPANSION". The Oregonian. 1987-08-27. pp. C05.
  8. ↑ "Animal Attractions To Avoid". Global Animal. Retrieved 2012-12-20.