Keepers of the Wild one roadside attraction worth its own trip

For travelers along Route 66 in Arizona, stopping for a brief visit at the roadside attractions is an essential part of this traditional American experience. But one of them, Keepers of the Wild, deserves more than a brief visit. It's worth allocating a few hours, or even a trip to that sole destination.

Keepers of the Wild Nature Park is a nonprofit that cares for more than 140 wild animals, some indigenous to the United States and some exotic. It was established in 1995 by Jonathan Kraft in Las Vegas. With limited space in the city, he moved the operation to White Hills, Ariz., and then to its current location on 175 acres in Valentine, Ariz.

This is not a zoo. The organization's goal is to provide a refuge for abandoned, abused or neglected animals. But it does meet some zoo-like goals of providing an entertaining experience while educating the public about the creatures with whom we are supposed to share this planet. With a map in hand, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the sanctuary or sign up for a guided safari tour of the complex. When I visited a couple of weeks ago, I did a self-guided tour, but later wished I had taken the guided one because it offers more background information on the animals. Guided tours last about an hour and 15 minutes.

Among the highlights is seeing some of the 22 big cats that make their homes here. One of the most spectacular is Kaos, a royal white Bengal tiger. This endangered white tiger is actually a Bengal tiger with a recessive gene. Experts believe there are only about 10 to 15 of these tigers in the wild in India. Other must-see cats are the more familiar orange-and-black Bengals and the liger, a hybrid of half tiger and half lion. There is also a young grizzly bear named Bam Bam who arrived here last year, besides a variety of primates, wallabies, birds and desert animals.

If you visit, bring a lunch, as there is a great shaded picnic area. If you come without provisions, be assured you won't go hungry, for the gift shop has plenty of food, including frozen meals, such as pizzas you can cook in the microwave on site. A wide variety of drinks and ice cream are available, too.

Volunteers are always welcomed at Keepers of the Wild and can help immensely. Work ranges from working in the gift shop to preparing food for the animals or caring for them. Many volunteers, after some time spent at the sanctuary, learn how to lead tours and give presentations, or help with animal rescues and feeding. Those with building and maintenance skills are also needed. There is a volunteer application form on the website.

If you decide to visit, keep in mind the refuge always needs donations and even has a wish list posted on the website. Items desired run the gamut from office supplies, vegetables, pet carriers, trash bags and gardening tools to stock tanks, golf carts and construction supplies.

All admission fees and profits from items bought in the gift shop go to the food, shelter and medical care of the animals. The refuge is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Visit keepersofthewild.org or call 928-769-1800.

— Deborah Wall is the author of "Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide" and "Base Camp Las Vegas: Hiking the Southwestern States," published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at deborabus@aol.com.