Chehaw Wild Animal Park

Zoo at the Parks of Chehaw in Albany, Georgia

Oct 16, 2008 Estela Kennen

Chehaw's Wild Animal Park in Albany, Georgia is a relatively small, peaceful zoo that is perfect for spending a few fun, relaxing hours with one's family.

Located deep in the 800-acre Parks in Chehaw, Albany’s Wild Animal Park is only one of two zoos in Georgia accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Ben’s Barnyard

This little section includes an interactive portion where visitors can see how they would fare next to wild animals. Zoo visitors can:

Climb into a bald eagle’s “nest”
Take a giant leap from a standstill into a sandpit
Jump as far up as they can
Measure their “wing” span

Is someone’s jumping abilities closer to an elephant’s (ie, zero!) or a kangaroos? How does their wingspan measure up to an albatross’s? There’s only one way to find out! The barnyard also features huge pot-bellied pigs, alpacas, goats, and miniature horses.

Reptile House

The exhibits in this “house” are actually outdoors, though under a covered roof. The animals here include an impressively large Burmese python, bright blue and black poison dark frogs, such slithery wonders as the king snake, rattlesnake, and rat snake, as well as lizards and more.

Alligator Outpost

A boardwalk leads visitors to a swamp where, according to the sign, two dozen American alligators live. Unlike most zoo exhibits, this one is a natural habitat where the challenge is to see how many eyes visitors can spy emerging from the waters. On a recent visit, viewers spotted ten gators. Zoo visitors can also buy food for a quarter, and entice the alligators to silently glide towards them.

Other Zoo Exhibits

The bulk of Chehaw Wild Animal Park is made up of large, if simple, enclosures. Many of the animals at the zoo are considered endangered or “vanishing species”, including the red wolf, black rhinoceros, cheetah, black-and-white colobus monkeys, four species of lemurs, and beautiful giant antelopes known as bongos.

Other mammals on display at Chehaw include tiny duiker antelopes, Grants’ zebras, black bears, American bison (ie, buffalo), bobcat, and serval. Zoo visitors can also enjoy the sight of birds such as the ibis, flamingoes, crowned cranes, ostriches, bald eagles, and the colorful turaco.

The Landscape

Visitors should use their time at the zoo not only to look at the assortment of animals, but also to appreciate their surroundings. Walking through the Wild Animal Park, visitors will pass through natural pine, hardwood, and cypress swamp habitats. A peek at the swamp might yield a view of delicate orchids. A moment of silence might be rewarded by the twitter of Georgia songbirds, or by a cacophony of crows. The walk itself is enjoyable as the Chehaw not only incorporates the typical sidewalks found in other zoos, but also many wooden boardwalks and even a wooden suspicion bridge.

Admission Cost

$7 for adults
$4 for children ages 4-12, seniors, and military
Free for children 3 and under

Please note that the price also includes admission to the Parks at Chehaw, where visitors can hike nature trails or enjoy “South Georgia’s largest” playground at no additional cost.

Hours

Open 9:30 to 5 pm every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Location

105 Chehaw Park Road; Albany, GA

While not as big or showy as Zoo Atlanta, Chehaw Animal Park is an inviting place that is particularly ideal for families with small children.

The copyright of the article Chehaw Wild Animal Park in SE U.S. Travel is owned by Estela Kennen. Permission to republish Chehaw Wild Animal Park in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Serval

Flamingo

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