Claws ‘N Paws: A Zoo Hidden in the Forrest

Some places are worth revisiting no matter how much time has passed.  It’s been around five years since I last visited Claws ‘N Paws Wild Animal Park with my dad, niece and nephew, so I was excited to return.

 One thing that always strikes me about the place is how lack luster the first view is, an unpaved parking lot and a small structure surrounded by fences and trees.  Do not let this deceive you. The small structure is the gift shop and once you pass through there you see that the whole zoo winds through forest trails. 

While it’s not as large as some other zoos, there are certainly a wide variety of animals, ranging from wolves, to lions, to giraffes, to goats and hawks.  While the forest setting can be a bit difficult to navigate, it adds to the ambiance and makes the animals habitats more natural looking and feeling. 

The maps are easy to follow or you can just pick a path and discover what is along the way. The paths are not paved so keep that in mind.  Along with the various animals there are designated times to chat with zoo keepers, to feed the birds, giraffe, or the turtles. There is also a pavilion for educational shows, a reptile house, a critter house, a petting zoo, and a replica dinosaur dig where kids can uncover bones, hide in giant eggs, and solve puzzles.

Not only did the kids have a wonderful time, my dad and I did as well.  There were many informative signs about the animals, where they were from, how they sounded, and even if they were new to the zoo, like the wolves were. Their sign explained that they were still acclimating to their new home and that was why they were pacing.

 I enjoyed learning about the animals and even braved the reptile house, though that was my least favorite part since I am not fond of snakes. I also enjoyed feeding the lory birds even though I’m not a huge bird fan, though I like them more than I like snakes.  It’s nice to not just view the animals but to interact with them as well whether you’re just reaching up to feed the giraffe or letting a bird perch on your arm to eat the apple in your hand, or petting the deer that come looking for food.