Kangaroos and tigers and bison—Oh my!
Wildlife preserves in Georgia BY APRYL CHAPMAN THOMAS  | | A visitor to Wild Animal Safari enjoys a "touching" experience with a giraffe in the Giraffe Hill section of the 500-acre natural environment at the park.(Photo by David Nichols) |
You don’t have to travel to faraway places to see exotic animals; you might be amazed at what you can see in your own back yard. Georgia is filled with many opportunities for a close-up view of different animals that you may have thought you would never see here. See the rare Barbary lion Situated on 25 acres in Dahlonega, Chestatee Wildlife Preserve is home to about 450 animals of more than 100 species native to the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. Visitors have the opportunity to see white tigers, camels, wallabies, wolves, bison, leopards and more. An educational facility, staff members are available to answer questions about the animals. Enjoy the day: Take a leisurely stroll through the preserve. Pack a picnic lunch and relax at various rest stops. 469 Old Dahlonega Highway, Dahlonega. (706) 864-9411; www.chestateewildlifepreserve.com.
 | | See Mufasa, the Barbary Lion, at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve. (Photo by Kim Hunter) |
That’s not a plant in the water. That’s an alligator. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the largest wildlife refuge in the Eastern United States. It is home to various wildlife animals in a natural habitat. From black bears to otters to deer, you never know what type of animal you will see at Okefenokee. Be sure to take a guided boat tour to learn more about the swamp. And, yes, if you see something move in the water, more than likely it is an alligator. But there is no need to worry; they won’t bother you as long as you don’t bother them. If you dare: Rent a canoe and explore the swamp yourself, paddling at your own pace. Main entrance, 11 miles southwest of Folkston, off Georgia Highway 121/23. (912) 496-7836; www.fws.gov/okefenokee.
Meet Georgia’s weather prognosticator–Gen. Beauregard Lee Make new four-legged friends as you walk among the animals at Yellow River Game Ranch. This 24-acre ranch in Lilburn is home to more than 600 animals. The tamer animals roam free and can be very friendly, especially if you have some treats for them. Food is available to purchase in the gift shop. Here’s a tip: Be sure you purchase enough for the whole walk. Interaction is encouraged. The larger and wilder animals are fenced in their own habitat. You’ll see Georgia black bears, foxes, rabbits, pigs and more. Yellow River is also home to the largest herd of buffaloes east of the Mississippi. Nice digs: It’s very easy to figure out exactly where Gen. Beauregard Lee lives. Just look for the white-columned antebellum home with the satellite dish in front. You might not be able to see Gen. Lee when you visit, but you can read about the ranch’s most famous resident. 4525 Highway 78, Lilburn. (770) 972-6643; www.yellowrivergameranch.com.
 | | View wildlife in their natural habitat at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo courtesy of Georgia Department of Economic Development) |
Visit rescued wildlife Open for tours to the public by appointment only, Ellijay Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary was established to care for injured and sick wildlife rescued throughout the Southeast. This 50-acre rescue sanctuary is home to a variety of animals such as cougars and bears. Special programs: An educational facility, the sanctuary offers behind-the-scenes tours on Fridays, and Family Days are held the second Sunday of each month. 435 Cougar Lane, Ellijay. (706) 276-2980; www.wildliferehabsanctuary.org.
 | | Children of all ages enjoy feeding the animals at Yellow River Game Ranch.(Photo courtesy of Georgia Dept. of Economic Development) |
Walk like an emu Rainbow Nation of North Georgia, located about 20 miles south of Dahlonega, is an animal refuge and sanctuary. Here you can get an up-close view of animals such as chinchillas, emus and exotic birds. Be sure to visit their newest addition, Amicalola Deer Park, located west of Amicalola Falls off Highway 52. These exotic deer are part of Rainbow Nation’s relocation program. You don’t get to do this every day: For a $2 donation, you can take a ride on an ostrich. Highway 52 West, Dawsonville. (706) 265-4278; www.rainbownation.org.
 | | The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve is home to white Siberian tigers Majestic and Sasha, shown here with C.W. Wathen, the preserve's founder and general manager. (Photo by Kim Hunter) |
Don’t miss the alligator outpost Designed by Wild Kingdom’s Jim Fowler, The Parks at Chehaw’s 100-acre park in Albany hosts native and exotic animals roaming in fenced, natural-like settings. Numerous trails and boardwalks wend through the wooded area, allowing you to view animals such as elephants, zebras and cheetahs. Make it a weekend adventure: The wild animal park is just a small portion of all of the activities available at The Parks at Chehaw. The whole park is actually 800 acres and includes playgrounds, camping facilities, a BMX track and much more. 105 Chehaw Park, Albany. (229) 430-5275; www.parksatchehaw.org.
Home where the bison roam
You can actually be a part of the safari at Wild Animal Safari located in Pine Mountain. This 500-acre park is broken into two parts. The safari part, known as the Serengeti Adventure, is a 3.5-mile drive that you can drive yourself, rent a park van or ride in the Zebra Bus. If you do decide to drive it, be prepared for frequent stops along the way for animal crossings. On your journey, you will see up close and be able to touch giraffes, antelopes, elks and yakatusis. The second part of the adventure is the Walk About, a more zoo-like setting, where animals such as wolves, monkeys and tigers roam about in their fenced homes. Have your camera ready: While on the safari, you just never know what might come up to you, wanting to say “hi.” Be prepared and have your camera ready for some incredible pictures to show everyone that, yes, you did take these while on a safari in Georgia. 1300 Oak Grove Road, Pine Mountain. (706) 663-8744, (800) 367-2751; www.animalsafari.com.
Where wild horses play Accessible by ferry only (reservations highly recommended), at Cumberland Island National Seashore, you can walk along the beaches and see wild horses. The 17.5-mile-long barrier island is also a haven for turkeys, alligators, deer and minks. Bring a pair of binoculars: One of the 18 sites along the Georgia Colonial Birding Trail, Cumberland Island National Seashore is a prime spot for bird watching. More than 300 species have been seen during different times of the year, such as shore birds, waterfowl and warblers. Welcome Center, 101 Wheeler St., St. Marys. (912) 882-4336, ext. 254, (877) 860-6787; www.nps.gov/cuis. A part of the Australian outback in Dawsonville The Kangaroo Conservation Center is a privately owned, 87-acre preserve that hosts the largest collection of kangaroos outside of Australia—about 200 kangaroos. The center is also home to exotic animals such as kookaburras, Australian ducks, wild burros, springhaas and a Dik-Dik, a tiny antelope. Tours are given by reservation only during the summer and fall and can accommodate approximately 10 to 35 people. A combination presentation and safari, the overall tour lasts two hours. Added bonuses: You get to touch, pet and even hold a kangaroo under the supervision of a staff member. In addition, you will also be taught how to properly throw a boomerang, a skill that everyone needs to know. 222 Bailey Waters Road, Dawsonville. (706) 265-6100; www.kangaroocenter.com. Apryl Chapman Thomas is a freelance writer living in Watkinsville.
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