![]() It was time to head backto the center's Foothills Safari Camp. Iphotographed them with my digital camera, using a telephoto lens toenlarge and focus on the animals, which made the wire fenceinvisible in my pictures. Next door to the cheetahs in a separate enclosurelives a maned wolf, which looks like a long-legged fox. Nineteen cheetahs live here, in a large, fenced-in area wherethey have plenty of room to roam and run 89 cheetahs have beenborn on site. ![]() The center has a breeding program to helppreserve endangered animals, especially cheetahs - the animals Iwas most interested in photographing. Halfway through the two-hour tour, we reached the park'sintensive management area, where animals on the endangered specieslist are cared for. ![]() Buthaving been to Africa three times myself, I can say that the centeroffers an experience that, at times, feels like an authenticAfrican safari - especially when you come upon a small herd ofzebra or wildebeest, or an ostrich runs by, or you spot severalwhite rhinos resting in the shade.Īfter the giraffe had its fill, we continued on our tour,passing and photographing gemsbok gazelle and exotic-lookingantelopes like sable with their curved horns, greater kudu withtheir corkscrew antlers, and waterbuck, with their dramatic whitemarkings. Instead, we weretaking a guided tour at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a 1,400-acreformer wild game ranch that's just an hour south of Dallas. My family and I were not on an African safari. I photograph the scene, wondering if Marcorealizes, at his young age, how lucky he is to be here. With his other hand, Marcopets the animal's face. He holds out his hand, which is filled withfeed that we bought at safari headquarters before our adventurebegan. The tall animalleans down in slow motion and comes face to face with my12-year-old son, Marco. Now an adult giraffe is only a few feet away. Smiles areeverywhere, especially on my wife Susan's face. Our vehicle holds 10 people beaming with excitement. After all, he says, these are wild creatures. Our guide tells us not to make any loud noisesor sudden moves. We are at a standstill, whispering among ourselvesabout the giraffes that are slowly and gracefully approaching. 14, 2003 - The sun is low in the cloudless sky,bathing our safari vehicle with beautiful, warm light. A portion of the proceeds from the program go towards supporting the work of a giraffe researcher in Africa.G L E N R O S E, Texas, Oct. Tickets to this special program are $30 per person (in addition to the park entrance fee) and include a one-hour interactive session about giraffes, meeting and feeding Buddy, a Giraffe Ambassador Field Study and Training Journal, a T-shirt, and a certificate. Last, but never least, you’ll meet Buddy, one of the Ranch’s rare twin giraffes who was raised by people and who, therefore, loves interacting with them. This animal science workshop discusses giraffe biology, feeding habits, species interaction in the wild, and how researchers across the world are studying them to help protect their dwindling numbers. ![]() Offered monthly (with the first one taking place on Saturday, November 21), The Giraffe Ambassador program, designed for ages 6+, introduces kids and adults to the wonders of giraffes. – Tiffany Soechting, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch The Giraffe Ambassador Program We wanted to see what we could do –in Texas – to change that perception.” We began to really see how this species is in peril in the wild – and how it gets little publicity about their plight compared to other African species. We heard from media around the world and from giraffe researchers, too. The birth of our twin giraffes in 2013 opened up a whole new way of thinking for us. And, this week, the Ranch launches their exclusive Giraffe Ambassador Program! Two years ago, a rare set of giraffe twins, Buddy and Wassawa, were born at the Ranch. But did you know, giraffes have lived at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch for more than 30 years? In fact, since 1984, 21 giraffes have been born there. Giraffes return to the San Antonio Zoo later this week (stay tuned to San Antonio Mom Blogs for more details about this!). It’s a big week for giraffes in San Antonio. Disclosure: My family and I attended a complimentary beta test of the new Giraffe Ambassador program at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.
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