Drive Time: Approx. 30 mins
Hours: 9am- 5pm Wed-Mon; Closed TuesGuided Safari Tours at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm & 3:30pm. No tickets will be sold after 4:15 pm
Activities: Wildlife viewing & guided safari tours, gift shop & picnic area
Directions: From Kingman, head east on Historic Route 66 to Valentine, AZ (mile marker 85-87).
More info: (928) 769-1800. Click Here to visit their website
Keepers of the Wild, a nonprofit sanctuary, sits on 175 acres held in Trust, giving more than 150 exotic animals a permanent home with beautiful rock formations, and natural vegetation. Animals featured include lions, tigers, wolves, many species of birds, hoofed animals, and more, all of which have been rescued from abuse and neglect. Existing buildings have been renovated for use as office space and food-prep kitchen. The gift shop is now open. New buildings will house a medical facility, snack bar, research and education center, a special events site, and much more.
The founder and executive director, Jonathan Kraft, has had a love for animals since a child. Growing up in Holland, Jonathan was known as the “Dutch Dr. Doolittle” because the children in his neighborhood would bring him their injured pets and wild animals to heal. He began wandering the woods around his home for injured birds whose wings may have been frozen by the winter, rehabilitate them, and then set them free.
At the age of 16, Jonathan immigrated to the USA and while continuing his love for animals he became involved in show business. He established himself in Las Vegas as a producer, creator, and performer and began a multi-million dollar production on the Las Vegas Strip. There he acquired two baby tiger cubs and through his experience of training them began to realize how much abuse and ignorance there was occurring in the animal trade.
Keepers of the Wild provides a clean, safe and nurturing environment for over 150 exotic animals, including lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cougars, wolves, reptiles, birds and even hoof stock. Each animal has a unique story on how they became a member of the Keepers of the Wild family. The preservation and protection of these animals is the goal of the sanctuary, and for many of them, this is the last chance for a life of peaceful coexistence with man.
At Keepers of the Wild, animals have a place to recover and live out their lives in peace and comfort. Some of the animals even learn to trust people again despite their abusive backgrounds.
Keepers of the Wild is dedicated to educating the public about these animals and about proper care and treatment, and they provide educational tours and seminars to public schools, universities, senior citizen groups, scout troops and many other children’s and services. Keepers of the Wild also provides volunteer opportunities for the ultimate animal lover, future veterinarians and biologists.
