Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo, Wildlife preserve and zoo in Thurmont, Maryland, United States.
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo is a roughly 100-acre facility in Maryland featuring natural ponds and landscaped habitats. About 450 animals from different continents live here, each species in its own dedicated area.
The facility started in 1933 as a snake farm run by Gordon Gaver. The Hahn family took over in 1964 and developed it into the zoo visitors see today.
The preserve runs educational programs where visitors encounter animals directly and learn from specialists about their behaviors and needs. These experiences highlight the importance of protecting wildlife for future generations.
Visitors can take safari truck rides through wooded areas to see and touch large herbivores up close. Wearing comfortable shoes and dressing for the season helps make the visit more enjoyable.
The facility is known for allowing visitors to ride through forested areas in safari trucks and hand-feed animals, creating a direct encounter with wildlife. This interactive approach sets it apart from typical zoos.
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