About Wildlife Learning Center
A unique, smaller-scale venue focused on rehabilitating animals, offering intimate and educational experiences rather than a large traditional zoo. Provides a special, personal feel with opportunities for close animal encounters and supports important animal welfare work.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a shorter, more intimate, and educational animal encounter rather than a sprawling zoo.Parents looking for unique birthday party venues.Visitors interested in supporting animal rehabilitation efforts and learning about rescued animals.A good option for a 'calming and peaceful experience' with animals.Excellent for elementary-aged children (e.g., a 6-year-old grandson had a fantastic time) who enjoy close-up animal interactions and educational tours.
Why families love it
- Features rehabilitated animals that are now permanent residents, appearing healthy and happy.
- Knowledgeable staff, specifically guides like 'Laurie', provide in-depth educational insights on various animals (e.g., snakes, bobcats) during tours.
- Opportunities for close-up interactions with animals such as porcupines and hedgehogs, and potentially holding other animals during special experiences.
- Educational signage detailing individual animal stories and species information is posted.
- Offers a generally calming and peaceful experience.
- Lemurs are a particular favorite for some visitors.
Insider tips
- Consider purchasing tickets via Groupon to save money.
- Be aware it is a smaller facility designed for an 'hour plus visit,' not a full-day zoo experience.
- For a more interactive visit, consider booking the additional giraffe feeding ($100 for 5 people) or the 'animal experience.'
- If visiting on a budget, be aware that some visits have featured empty enclosures; it might be beneficial to inquire about animal availability if possible, although this is not explicitly stated as an option.
- Prepare for a potential 'armpit' smell upon entry.
Good to know before you go
- If you expect a large-scale, traditional zoo with many different species readily visible in every enclosure.
- If you are on a very tight budget and cannot risk a visit where many enclosures might be empty, leading to a short experience.
- If you are sensitive to strong animal-related smells.
- During times when you want a full-day outing, as it's typically an 'hour plus' visit.
- Some visitors have experienced a significant number of empty cages on multiple visits, leading to a feeling of paying full price for 'half a zoo'.
- Crowds
- Described as 'small enough to feel special' and offering a 'calming and peaceful experience,' suggesting manageable crowd levels.
- Value
- General admission costs are implied to be around $15-$20 per person (e.g., $60 for an implied 3-4 people). Savings are possible by purchasing tickets through Groupon. There is a significant additional cost for unique experiences: the giraffe feeding is $100 for a party of up to 5 people, including a private educational tour and feeding. Value for money can be highly variable; some reviewers felt they paid full price for a 'vacant lot' experience due to empty cages, making it feel expensive.
- Food
- Drinks are available for purchase at the entrance.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in the reviews.
- Safety
- Animals are reported to be well-kept, clean, and healthy, implying good animal welfare standards.
What parents say
"A great little spot to see some really cute animals. I bought my tickets on Groupon and saved a bit by doing so. The parking spot is small, but it offered plenty of parking for my visit. It is a small spot, so don't expect a zoo, but plenty of really cute animals which received rehabilitation and are now permanent residents. It's big enough to enjoy an hour plus visit and small enough to feel special. The animals seem healthy and happy, very nice to see. There is an option (at time of review) to feed the giraffe for an additional $100 for a party of 5 max. From what they told me it offers 15-2"
7 months ago
"We had a fantastic time touring the animals with our six year old grandson. The work they do here is truly exemplary and the variety of the animals is interesting and great. Our guide Laurie was so knowledgeable whether we were asking questions about the snakes or the bobcats she really knew everything. Our grandson loved spending close up time with the porqupine and hedgehogs. The staff takes such pride in their work it is a real joy to watch and the work they do is so important. We noticed they give parties there as well so we plan to go back for our next party. The time flew by an"
3 weeks ago
"I have been here a few times since 2017 and I always get a really good feeling being here. It’s always a calming and peaceful experience. That said- today’s trip, like one of my other trips- left me feeling like I’d just paid full price to see half a zoo. Every other cage was empty. We were in and out in 20 minutes because there was not much at all to see or do. Now I know what this place is, how it’s funded and kept open. It’s obviously a wonderful place doing wonderful things. That said- for someone like myself who makes minimum wage, who wanted to take my visiting parents somewhere we coul"
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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