Visit Tiger World
It's amazing how many exciting places there are nearby. One often thinks boarding a plane or cruise ship is the only means to adventure. Sometimes a new experience is just a short drive away.
Our daughters love animals & are on a mission to visit every #zoo & #aquarium known to man! No matter where we venture, if some sort of animal-related activity isn't involved, the trip isn't complete. Earlier in the year, we surprised them with a day trip to a conservators center. We still can't believe we didn't know about it before.
Tiger World, located in Rockwell, N.C., is an endangered wildlife preserve. Their mission is to promote conservation through education. They are noticeably committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, & preserving the lives of exotic animals. The staff members we met were very friendly, knowledgeable, & thoroughly explained anything we wanted to know. Watching them interact with the animals was heartening.
Tiger World is definitely worth the trip if you love exotic animals & are interested in seeing them in natural settings. We witnessed them lounging, playing, running around, & some feedings. The powerful roar of lions & ligers filled the air. Our daughters, @2pbgirls, were so excited!
The center has African, Asian, Australian, & North/South American animals on the premises. What stood out most to us apart from felines, were the Red kangaroos & Indian Blue Peacock. The girls even fed an emu! Watch it here.
Our only concern was the size of some of the animal enclosures. A few seemed small but none of the animals appeared to be in distress. It was quite the opposite during our visit. As I mentioned, the interactions between the animals & staff were beautiful! The great thing is that with more donations, the center will continue to grow. That means even better living spaces for the animals.
If you are curious about the funding for Tiger World, here is a direct quote from their website:
"Tiger World is one of a handful of accredited zoos in the nation that operates with NO TAX SUPPORT. We are a licensed and USDA Approved Facility and registered non-profit organization. We welcome all monetary, materials, food and service donations to help in our worthy cause. We depend on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding and helping care for our animals. Your support is critical to our future."
(To see more of the animals, please watch our videos below.)
Tiger World is active throughout the year. During summer months, participate in their Carnivore Feeding Safari or join them for an overnight Safari camp. There are events surrounding holidays & even a #BackToSchool half-off kid admission price August 1st-15th. The perfect way to end summer!
Guided tours & personal animal encounters are available with reservations. Tiger World welcomes volunteers so contact them if you feel so inclined. It is a fun adventure & we hope to return soon. Maybe we'll get a chance to experience the overnight safari!
Tips For Your Visit
1. Wear comfortable walking shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. There is dirt, grass, & some animals roam the grounds. If it has been raining, expect all of that to be wet. Check the weather forecast before leaving home in case you need umbrellas, too!
2. Restrooms are convenient but the floors can get dirty. As mentioned in #1, this is an outdoor environment with animals. Messes happen, but we saw staff checking in.
3. Bring water & sunscreen. This is always a good idea but especially when it's hot outside.
4. Eat snacks beforehand. I'm not sure if snacks are allowed but because animals are all around, I don't recommend it. I'm sure you and/or your kids will be touching things & don't want to ingest whatever it is you're touching. Have hand sanitizer handy.
5. Get there early. We arrived two hours before closing which was enough time to see everything. However, if you'd like to linger, watch feedings, & your kids love the playground, get there early. There's a gift shop, too.
As always, visit the website or call the facility if you have specific questions or concerns. Let me know what you think of the place if you choose to visit or have already. Here is the address & telephone number for Tiger World:
Tiger World
4400 Cook Road
Rockwell, NC 28138
704-279-6363
If you'd like to see our family trip to the center, check out the video links below. Please be sure to subscribe to our youtube channel to keep up with our adventures.