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All the United States Colorado Keenesburg The Wild Animal Sanctuary
Sponsored by Visit Denver

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The world's largest carnivore sanctuary is home to over 450 meat-eating rescues.

Keenesburg, Colorado

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michellek
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CAPTION
A lion at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, Colorado.   Rochkind/CC BY-SA 3.0
One of the Wild Animal Sanctuary’s rescue tigers goes for a swim in its play pool.   Kimon Berlin / CC BY-SA 2.0
A grizzly bear at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, Colorado.   Rochkind/CC BY-SA 3.0
The sanctuary’s elevated walkway stretches 30 feet above its open prairie habitats.   Courtesy of Wild Animal Sanctuary
The sanctuary—the oldest and largest carnivore sanctuary in the world—rescues 50 to 100 animals per year.   Courtesy of Wild Animal Sanctuary
Two bears gather for mealtime. The Wild Animal Sanctuary feeds its bear population about 50,000 pounds of donated raw fish and produce each week.   Kimon Berlin / CC BY-SA 2.0
One of the bear enclosures at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, with shade structures, a large water tank, and constant-temperature “dens” in the foreground.   Donlammers/CC BY-SA 3.0
A tiger lounges in the sun atop a custom-made play structure.   Kimon Berlin / CC BY-SA 2.0
  IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
The Pack Survives   Devin San Luis / Atlas Obscura User
An elder statestiger in contemplating repose.   Devin San Luis / Atlas Obscura User
A welcome sign for the sanctuary.   IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
  IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
  IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
Female white tiger adjusting to her new environment.  
  rwelliott / Atlas Obscura User
  IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
  IgFan / Atlas Obscura User
Smaller enclosures—complete with play pools for the tigers—are used for rehabilitation.   Sporst / CC BY 2.0
Gray wolves at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Keenesburg, Colorado.   Rochkind/CC BY-SA 3.0
The central receiving compound with second floor education center, surrounded by outdoor areas for animals being acclimatized.   Donlammers/CC BY-SA 3.0
Many of the enclosures contain water features to help the animals cool off on hot days.   Heather / CC BY 2.0
A grizzly bear as viewed from the Wild Animal Sanctuary’s 1.5-mile raised catwalk.   Kari / CC BY-NC 2.0
The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s elevated walkway gives viewers a great view without disturbing the animals.   Amy Alethia / CC BY-SA 2.0
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About

The exotic animal trade is the world’s third largest source of illegal revenue, after illegal drugs and weapons. The World Wildlife Fund estimates there are at least 5,000 captive tigers in the United States alone—that’s nearly 2,000 more tigers than exist in the wild. Thousands of other exotic species live in inadequate conditions in environments like roadside zoos, circuses, magic acts, and traveling shows.

At the Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) in Keenesburg, Colorado, over 450 rescued animals are given a second shot of life, many which had fallen victim to what the sanctuary calls the “captive animal crisis.” Lions, tigers, bears, and a whole menagerie of other carnivores (plus a handful of non meat eaters) call the 720-acre facility home, making it the world's largest nonprofit animal sanctuary.

The sanctuary is situated on the grass plains roughly 50 miles east of Boulder. TWAS cares for large carnivorous animals that were previous victims of neglectful or abusive situations and allows them to live better, more enjoyable lives. Since its start nearly 40 years ago, the sanctuary has responded to over 1,000 rescue requests from individual animal owners and government agencies around the world.

The animals are given the healthcare and space they need. The large enclosures feature swimming pools and underground dens that maintain a consistent temperature throughout the year, and the animals are fed according to their natural eating habits. 

Visitors to the sanctuary can view the animals from above on the 1.5-mile-long elevated "Mile Into The Wild" walkway that stretches around to the sanctuary's main open enclosures. The platform, which World Records deemed the world’s longest footbridge in 2016, ensures that both the visitors and animals feel safe and comfortable. 

Related Tags

Animals Sanctuaries Rescues Wolves Bears Tigers Cats Meat Wildlife Sanctuaries World's Largest Crime

Know Before You Go

The facility is open every day at 9 a.m. and closes at sunset. Given that it can take a minimum of four hours to see the sanctuary, arrive with ample amount of time prior to closing. Uber and taxis are not a good options to reach the facility, as drivers will bring you to the sanctuary but almost never return to pick you up since the facility is located far from urban areas.

Sponsored by Visit Denver. Click here to explore more.

Community Contributors

Added By

michellek

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe, rwelliott, IgFan, Devin San Luis...

  • Kerry Wolfe
  • rwelliott
  • IgFan
  • Devin San Luis
  • 78stidham

Published

July 20, 2017

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wild_Animal_Sanctuary
  • http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/largest-carnivore-sanctuary-in-the-world-opens-new-complex-and-immediately-breaks-another-world-record-300352581.html
  • https://www.denver.org/listing/the-wild-animal-sanctuary/6017/
  • http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160425-wild-animal-sanctuary-colorado/
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
2999 County Road 53
Keenesburg, Colorado
United States
40.043768, -104.56648
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