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Animal Ark
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Animal Ark
17 reviews in English
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Review from L P.
Reno, NV
9/25/2011
All the other reviews really sum up Animal Ark's mission and experience so I will just share a few quick tips I have learned over the years.
-Go when it is cooler outside. The animals will be more active and you will have a better chance of seeing them
-The quieter you are, the more you will see. The animals tend to hide from loud noise.
-Although they are not as big of a draw as the larger animals, don't forget to check out the tortoises. They are super cute if they are eating.
-Wear comfy shoes. It can be a good walk if you are prepared. -
Review from Kim C.
Alameda, CA
9/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Mr decided that this would be a good little spot to visit here in Reno. Much more of a quiet spot and more of a relaxing experience ... something we needed at this point in our trip.
We drove to the Animal Ark from Circus Circus and it said it was like like a 20-30 minute drive. Which it was ... buuuut ... it's in the middle of nowhere! Definitely not a place to go to if you don't like 2 lane roads winding through hills. Oh and for the last mile, you're driving on gravel. So don't bring your pretty car on this trek. Think about your big boy car or smash it in your rental.
It was only $9 per adult to go in and you basically walk around and look at the animals through a glass window. It's fun because you have to find the animals. Most of them blend in so well you can barely see them! There's also the animal's story or biography posted at each viewing window.
This is an animal sanctuary, not a zoo. So none of the animals were purchased by Animal Ark. They were either animals that can't be released back into the wild and were rescued. The stories will explain each of the animals background (i.e. they were once in showbiz, but once they were deemed "useless" they were given up ... which in this case is good because most of the time they euthanize the animals or the animals were born in captivity and can't be rehabilitated to fend for themselves in the wild, etc.).
Animal Ark is out in the desert with lots of dirt and gravel to walk/hike through. So don't go if you don't like dust, animals or sun. Be prepared. Again, it's not a zoo so these animals are in their habitats and you will be outdoors.
I think Animal Ark is great and I love what they do and stand for. 'Nuff said.
Helpful tip (learned by experience): Slippers are not meant for this place no matter how cute they are, but sunblock definitely is! -
Review from Catherine S.
Reno, NV
5/18/2011
PHOTOS UPLOADED
This is not a zoo. It is a sanctuary. It is about 40 minutes away from town. Some parts of the road are not paved. There is a picnic and play area. You may also want to dress in layers as it is in a higher elevation. If you are bringing little kids, make sure to bring a sturdy stroller that can endure dirt trails. Good thing we brought our jogging stroller.
PROS:
~ So glad that there is such thing exist otherwise these animals would be euthanized.
~ It is so humbling to see these predators up close and personal.
~ The trail is pretty easy and good exercise.
~ Beautiful mountain views that will leave you breathless.
~ Employees are very friendly.
CONS:
~ I really cannot think of anything that I do not like about this place.
This is a must see when you are in Reno. Try to go there early as it can get hot later on the day. The animals tend to be less active when it is hot. -
Review from Chris K.
8/16/2010
A coupon in the entertainment book gave us the idea to check this place out on our way home from Tahoe. In an odd twist of fate, that very coupon was destroyed in the washing machine, however, upon hearing the story the cashier gave us the discount. Very cool! The admission even without the coupon is extremely reasonable.
It's a drive from SLT and towards the end it's a gravel road, but it was very worth it! Some locals were telling us that it's rarely crowded, which surprised us. If this place were close to home it would be super-crowded. The animals here are amazing and are featured in beautiful, natural habitats. The staff is really responsive...when asking for help spotting the tiger they rotated tigers so we could get a better look.
Plenty of picnic areas and a great little playground. Love that it's a zoo type place without rides that you're forced to pay to take your kids on! -
Review from marsh m.
Truckee, CA
Updated - 11/27/2011
Made the trek to Animal Ark on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend with my 14 month old granddaughter and her parents. it's such a delight to see the tigers, bears and cheetahs so accessible and well cared for. Nice leisurely hike in the cool weather.
The staff are friendly and helpful. We had a great time and hope to return again in the spring.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/17/2010
What a treat to watch a 450 lb bear eat his breakfast (and not BE breakfast)! You should schedule… Read more »
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Review from Tymmie Wangjor F.
Madison, WI
9/21/2011
Great staff. Lots of animals. Many of the animals were sleeping when we were there today. Gorgeous big cats - from a Bengal tiger to mountain lions. They also have 4 types of foxes! At $9 per adult, it's definitely worth stopping by if you're near. All the animals are not suitable to be released into the wild. This is a great organization to support.
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Review from tasha s.
Hayward, CA
6/8/2010
This is way OUT there, and totally worth the drive. I mean I was staring at the cheetah - and I swear it was gonna leap over & eat us - or at least my kids - these wild animals know easy prey ...
If you have kids definitely make the drive out there... -
Review from Kurt W.
Foster City, CA
8/3/2009
What a find!
We were visiting the casino's from our place in Tahoe Donner where my son picked up a brochure for the Animal Ark. He was interested in seeing the bears and Lynx in particular so we decided to come back and visit a couple days later.
As the other reviewers noted, it's not a zoo but a sanctuary, or as one docent put it, a retirement home for the animals. None of the animals there can live on their own in the wild for one reason or another.
Given the reported size, I expected we'd only be there for an hour or so, but ended up staying for over three! The walk up to see the bears was well worth it. Gracie, the "little" one was feeding on fish frozen in ice blocks and various other fruits and veggies scattered around.
Everyone there is so helpful and friendly. They really care (literally and figuratively) for the animals and their well being and it shows.
This was well worth the drive and enduring the summer heat! -
Review from Danielle P.
RIVERDALE, MD
5/3/2010
This was a hit with all 3 kids - 16, 14 and 10. We were lucky to catch the feedings of 2 raptor birds - the Kestrel and the Peregrine Falcon as well as a black bear. Nothing like watching a bunch of kids get grossed out yet fascinated as a bird eats a (dead) mouse, spitting out the nasty bits (entrails) onto the ground.
I am always a bit skeptical regarding zoos or animal "sanctuaries" because while folks can be well-meaning, the animals might still be inadequately cared for but I got the sense that the people here were really were good custodians to the animals. It is startling and sad that the sheer number of animals living here started out as cute "pets" and ended up being abandoned or turned in to authorities. Who in their right mind thinks that it's a good idea to keep a tiger as a pet?!?
It's a drive out of Reno but worth it. Kids under 12 are free. They have wifi, clean bathrooms and the typical gift shop. No trees but quite a few spots to sit down and rest if you need to. This is probably one of the nicer things to do with kids in Reno. -
Review from Kristy N.
Pittsburgh, PA
4/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Small but mighty. Watched the bear have breakfast and saw a white tiger. Worth a visit!
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Review from thecat p.
San Jose, CA
3/8/2011
It is not a big zoo. In fact, it's small but it's a lot of fun still
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Review from Tina S.
4/4/2010
This place was smaller than I expected, but I got to see some great animals I have never seen in any zoos. The people who work here are very nice and informative. Don't wear heels, unless you want to rent a golf cart to scoot around in for $5. Otherwise, be ready to walk around for about a mile.
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Review from Will M.
Reno, NV
6/25/2010
This place is a great place to bring the family. This place has a great variety of rescued animals. The bears were my favorite. It is kind of a drive out in the middle of nowhere, but it is beautiful and the roads are well taken care of.
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Review from Beck M.
Reno, NV
5/3/2007
This is a great place to take your children! My kids enjoyed it very much! The main thing to keep in mind is wear sun screan. There really is not too much shade at this place. Also it is a bit out of town, but worth the trip!
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Review from Tracy S.
4/15/2008
Although Animal Ark is categorized as a "zoo," it is really a wildlife refuge. All of the animals here have been rescued and are now provided with a safe and comfortable home. It is also one of the best places in Reno to take your kids for a day of educational fun! The people here, almost all of them volunteers, are so helpful and friendly. As you wander the property, they are always available to answer questions about the animals. The property itself is beautiful and extremely well maintained. Be warned, though, that it is fairly high up and on hot days the sun can be pretty brutal. The best time to visit is in the morning, when the animals are most active and when the weather is best. We just went for an afternoon visit, and most of the critters were napping. Some of the animals you will see are native species, but there are also a few more exotic species, most notably the tigers and the cheetahs. For more information, check out their great web-site.
Listed in: Kid-Friendly Reno, Best of Reno/Sparks
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Review from Michael L.
Reno, NV
Updated - 8/24/2009
Ladies and Gentlemen: If you weren't in attendance, you missed a great program! The "Out of Africa" event this past Sat. afternoon. Volunteer staff, as well as many guests were attired in authentic African costumes, canapes from The Dandelion Deli on South Wells Ave. in Reno, beverages from the Vista Grill on Disc Dr. in Sparks and most certainly the Ark's Cheetah runs and African Bird Show. As dusk settled amid the golden and red rays of sunset the guests left with the goodbye howls and yelps of the wolves,coyotes and foxes bidding them farewell and inviting them back next year. Be sure and visit the Animal Ark.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2008
You have to visit this amazing facility and take your kids if you have any.
This isn't a zoo, it's a… Read more »
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Review from Debby R.
Germantown, TN
10/27/2010
Great family outing. Animals are well cared for and most have been rescued from irresponsible owners. I will return to see the cheetah run in the future.
