The Wilds!

The first time we went to the Columbus Zoo, we absolutely loved it, but were a little bummed that they didn't have any giraffes! Well, the reason they don't is because the giraffes live in a place called "The Wilds!" Located about 45 minutes east of Columbus on 10,000 acres of reclaimed strip mining land, The Wilds is a massive wildlife preserve specifically for African animals. We got in a big bus and drove through the reserve, driving right next to rhinos, wild horses, giraffes, zebras, etc. Who needs to go to Africa when eastern Ohio is so much closer? :)

One of the best signs we'd ever seen. This was located at the complex that housed the wild dogs and the cheetahs (the carnivores) and we just had to take a picture.

Cheetahs! They weren't exactly very active, but it was a pretty hot day.

Rhinos! Again, they weren't running around much, but that's probably a good thing :)

Giraffes! These, on the other hand, were very active. There were about seven of them and they were all around our bus!

Zebras! This male Zebra was running back and forth trying to get into the other pasture where the female wild horses were. He would wait until our bus came through the gate and then try to run through the gate before it closed again. He got pretty close one time, but no success.

Wild horses and Camels!

Well, all this fun sure tired out Spencer and Brant. Amazingly, Spencer actually fell asleep in Brant's arms, something he never does anymore. But, after 45 minutes, he woke up just in time to see the cheetahs.

It was a great trip and we highly recommend the trip to anybody in the midwest or on the east coast. It's sure a lot closer and cheaper than Africa!!