The Wild Animal Sanctuary

Mac and I love supporting wild animal rescues that take animals from less than ideal situations. The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, sits a bit of I-76 about a 30 or minute drive from Denver. We decided to make the trip up there over Memorial Day weekend of 2016.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a bit different from the other animal rescue facilities we’ve visited. They have a large, elevated walkway that goes over the animal enclosures and allows for the animals to have more space. They’re upgrading some of their facilities, so admission costs $30 a person plus a mandatory donation. The walkway winds a mile and a half around the property with some uphill portions. It is pretty wide and easy to walk. They also have some seating areas and some shaded spots.

Most of the animals now residing at the Wild Animal Sanctuary were rescued from bad situations. People owned the animals as pets, kept them in illegal zoos, or held them in other abusive situations. New arrivals to the Wild Animal Sanctuary stay in smaller staging enclosures to help them adjust to their new surroundings and to new animals. Once they’re acclimated, they move to the much larger and more open enclosures. The weather was nice and sunny, so most of the animals were napping in the sunshine.