The Wilds, Conservation center in Cumberland, Ohio.
The Wilds is a conservation center in Cumberland, rural Ohio, that spreads across roughly 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) of former mining land. The terrain consists of grasslands, woodlands, and rolling hills where animals from different continents live in large open enclosures.
The center opened in 1994 on reclaimed mining land and transformed abandoned strip mines into habitat for threatened species. The first animals arrived shortly after opening when international breeding programs began their work.
The name refers to the sprawling open spaces that stretch across rolling hills and mimic an African savanna. Visitors encounter animals in an environment that mirrors their natural habitats while research teams conduct scientific projects on site.
Safari tours through the grounds usually last several hours and are led by guides who share information about the animals and landscape. Those wishing to stay longer can book overnight stays in yurts or enjoy activities like fishing, mountain biking, and zipline courses.
The grounds are home to over 500 animals representing 28 rare species, including rhinos, giraffes, and Persian onagers, which visitors observe from elevated viewing paths and vehicles. The landscape is the result of decades of post-mining restoration, with soil and vegetation carefully rebuilt.
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