Wildlife Sanctuary

I got distracted enjoying the last couple of days at Rachel’s, 

Rambo and his new BFF

and then the flight home, so I’m just now getting to our Thursday (a week ago) adventure. 

The Wild Animal Sanctuary (here) in Keensburg CO 

is about an hour south of Rachel’s house, out on the high plains. 

The area is so flat I thought we’d be much lower in elevation, but it was still 4944’,

a big drop from Estes Park’s 7522’ the day before, but so. much. higher! than Camarillo’s barely above sea level 117’.

We’d been here once before, in 2017 (here), and really enjoyed it. 

Wolf pack

Unlike that February visit, we weren’t freezing this time but a storm was blowing in, with steady winds of 20 mph and frequent gusts over 40. 

At one point I had a firm grip on Jac’s arm, concerned she might blow over the railing, 

Wind blown 

and Rachel said I was walking ahead of her at a serious slant. It was challenging!

But Jac (and me too!) walked the entire 2.5-ish miles of elevated walkway under her own steam. 

We were impressed!(and so happy to not have to carry her…)

 Look at the size of those trailers!

The later - and windier - it got, the more animals we saw as they came out of their underground bunkers* for feeding and frolicking. 

Most of the animals are rescues, from backyards, roadside “zoos” and more than 150 animals from the Tiger K1ng tv series. (Here)

These lions ⬆️ were rescued from defunct circuses in S. America;

this tiger arrived (from Mexico?) with two broken legs and internal injuries, and spent the entire time we were near him hiding behind his metal pool.

It’s really sad how some of the animals came to be here but the Sanctuary seems to be thriving. They recently opened two more rescue areas - an animal reserve and a wild horse rescue. 

Heading into his underground home

* A couple of times, we ran into a very chatty, knowledgeable volunteer who shared lots of stories. The animals dens/homes are dug underground, with long tunnels connecting them to the surface. Great way to keep everyone warm - and heating bills down - during the CO winter. 

Lion King art installation