Out of Africa Wildlife Park

[Heaney]

Took the family there this last weekend. Here are some of my favorite shots I took. Follow the link for more.

http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/23023/2312530100102363693S425x425Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/25149/2029208240102363693S425x425Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/22311/2631275660102363693S425x425Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/23018/2460139600102363693S425x425Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/25103/2740157520102363693S425x425Q85.jpg

Out of Africa (http://web.mac.com/jlheaney/Site/Out_of_Africa_Park.html)

[Teal-J]

Those are some great shot! What kind of camera do you have? I'm guessing some kind of DSLR? I need to ditch my point&shoot badly.

[RandyT]

Nice pics. That place is pretty cool. We went there last year and it was one of the best "zoos" I have ever been to. The boys loved it.

[GRUNT]

Nice pics, very clear! Thanks for sharing...

Sarcasm warning for text below!

The chainlink is very authentic habitat! Looks good, bet the animals are happy. Is the zoo trying to save to build a better, more realistic enclosures? I know Phoenix is trying to renovate all theirs over time....

[offroadaz]

Nice pics, very clear! Thanks for sharing...

Sarcasm warning for text below!

The chainlink is very authentic habitat! Looks good, bet the animals are happy. Is the zoo trying to save to build a better, more realistic enclosures? I know Phoenix is trying to renovate all theirs over time....

actually I prefer the enclosures for out of africa rather then what phoenix zoo has. Out of Africa allows the visitors to get very close to the animals where as phoenix zoo, youre pretty far away. Also the cages may not look that great but the animals are in a pretty natural habitat and have a very large area to roam

Out of Africa recently moved up there about 3 years ago, they used to be on the 87 right next to the casino

http://www.outofafricapark.com/

[Heaney]

Those are some great shot! What kind of camera do you have? I'm guessing some kind of DSLR? I need to ditch my point&shoot badly.

Thank you! I do not have a DSLR camera. I really want to get one, but the $$$ for them is too high right now.

This is the camera I have:
Olympus SP-550 UZ (http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1289)

[jeeperapril]

Great shots, I got their message via e-mail last week, did you get to see the Tiger Splash show and feed the white tiger? How did you like the Safari? I have been waiting for tiger splash to open up again. I have been a big fan of Dean and Prairie (owners/founders/parents to all the animals), they have done a wonderful job with the animals they have, they give them their all!. Ever see a full grown tiger sucking Prairies thumb in her show, makes you realize if you give love and respect to any creature, you will get it back. For anyone that has not been or has children it is a must to go. Like you said, very personal interaction with the animals, The safari is cool, feed the giraffes (put a carrot in your mouth they take it and give ya a slober kiss). It is sad that the Indian tribe kicked them out of Scottsdale to put in a RV parking lot for the Casino, they had that place fixed up so great for the animals. and since it was on Indian land the state and wildlife mgmt. did not hassle them like now. One year Dean and Prairie took in
3 lion cubs on an emergency basis, 2000 was the year. I remember because I had the pleasure of playing with these cubs for 1/2 hour:D:D. They needed money to feed them quick so for 1 week only for a fee you got to play with the cubs, they took and provided video and they used your camera to take pictures. I was in heaven that day. They can not do that now, they did it one time when they first moved to Camp Verde to raise funds and the wildlife mgmt showed up and told them they can not have the public interacting with wild animals. They only do it with small, young animals, and it is monitored at all times (with the lion cubs both Dean & Prairie and 2 other staff members were with us) anyway babbling, Beats the Phoenix zoo any day, and while you are there you can go to Jerome, do some offroading...Glad ya had a good time, got to get a date set to go soon one weekend myself. :o

[scully]

Great shots, I got their message via e-mail last week, did you get to see the Tiger Splash show and feed the white tiger? How did you like the Safari? I have been waiting for tiger splash to open up again. I have been a big fan of Dean and Prairie (owners/founders/parents to all the animals), they have done a wonderful job with the animals they have, they give them their all!. Ever see a full grown tiger sucking Prairies thumb in her show, makes you realize if you give love and respect to any creature, you will get it back. For anyone that has not been or has children it is a must to go. Like you said, very personal interaction with the animals, The safari is cool, feed the giraffes (put a carrot in your mouth they take it and give ya a slober kiss). It is sad that the Indian tribe kicked them out of Scottsdale to put in a RV parking lot for the Casino, they had that place fixed up so great for the animals. and since it was on Indian land the state and wildlife mgmt. did not hassle them like now. One year Dean and Prairie took in
3 lion cubs on an emergency basis, 2000 was the year. I remember because I had the pleasure of playing with these cubs for 1/2 hour:D:D. They needed money to feed them quick so for 1 week only for a fee you got to play with the cubs, they took and provided video and they used your camera to take pictures. I was in heaven that day. They can not do that now, they did it one time when they first moved to Camp Verde to raise funds and the wildlife mgmt showed up and told them they can not have the public interacting with wild animals. They only do it with small, young animals, and it is monitored at all times (with the lion cubs both Dean & Prairie and 2 other staff members were with us) anyway babbling, Beats the Phoenix zoo any day, and while you are there you can go to Jerome, do some offroading...Glad ya had a good time, got to get a date set to go soon one weekend myself. :o


These are wild animals, it doesn't matter how much you love them,they are still VERY DANGEROUS! Just ask Prayeri (Yes that’s how she spells it) about when the 3 lions that she raised and loved dragged her through their exhibit.

As far as the Indians kicking them off their land goes, that’s totally false. Dean the owner wanted to expand so he started having dirt hauled in and the land cleared so he could build a savanna. The Indians did not give him permission to do this and requested him to restore the land. Dean, not being used to being told no, told them that either he got the land or that they were leaving. The Indians called his bluff and said good by!

If I remember correctly, OoA requested at least 3 extensions of stay which the Indians granted out of concern for the animals.

I could go into how they transported the animals to Verde, and how many that they lost, and how they didn't pay their staff for months, but that’s a whole other set of issues.

As far as being able to go in with the cubs, people could do that when they were on the reservation. But now that they are off, they are subject to USDA and other regulations that are put in place to protect people and the animals.

Out of Africa is a unique place. I worked there as a keeper for 3 years. I saw and did many things there that I won't see/do again. As far as comparing them to the Phx zoo, you’re looking at two different beasts. Ones non-profit and has extensive conservation projects directed at saving various species while the other just fattens the wallet of the owner.

[jeeperapril]

These are wild animals, it doesn't matter how much you love them,they are still VERY DANGEROUS! Just ask Prayeri (Yes that’s how she spells it) about when the 3 lions that she raised and loved dragged her through their exhibit.

As far as the Indians kicking them off their land goes, that’s totally false. Dean the owner wanted to expand so he started having dirt hauled in and the land cleared so he could build a savanna. The Indians did not give him permission to do this and requested him to restore the land. Dean, not being used to being told no, told them that either he got the land or that they were leaving. The Indians called his bluff and said good by!

If I remember correctly, OoA requested at least 3 extensions of stay which the Indians granted out of concern for the animals.

I could go into how they transported the animals to Verde, and how many that they lost, and how they didn't pay their staff for months, but that’s a whole other set of issues.

As far as being able to go in with the cubs, people could do that when they were on the reservation. But now that they are off, they are subject to USDA and other regulations that are put in place to protect people and the animals.

Out of Africa is a unique place. I worked there as a keeper for 3 years. I saw and did many things there that I won't see/do again. As far as comparing them to the Phx zoo, you’re looking at two different beasts. Ones non-profit and has extensive conservation projects directed at saving various species while the other just fattens the wallet of the owner.

Interesting, since you worked there I will assume you are stating the truth? I never heard anything different from what I was told about them having to move. As a matter of fact there were many media/newspaper articles that said the same thing. I can not imagine Dean wanting to leave just because of that, but if that is the true reason, he was dumb for doing that in my opinion. Sorry for mis spelling Prayeri's name but ya know who I meant. I know that any wild animal is not a pet, I know both Dean and Prayeri have been attacked a few times, that is expected when working with wildlife. But look at the good they do do for the animals, they are treated well, feed well, housed alot better than most Non-profit wildlife reservese. If you worked there than you have seen first hand the bond they have with those animals, you don't get a bond like that by mis-treating them! As far as animals being lost during transport I have no idea about that other than Dean did tell us they lost a couple, but again, when transporting a wild animal from a home they knew all their lives, etc is a lot of stress and sometimes older or real nervous type animal can be lost due to that. As far as not paying their workers, I was talking with some of the workers when they first opened up in CAmp Verde, they did tell us that they had for a few months not had any pay due to the move and expenses to set up Camp Verde housing. They was not one person that WAS NOT HAPPY TO DO SO, they are their for the animals welfare and they understood and stuck with Dean and "P" through it for them because they truly believe in Dean and "P" and what they stand for. I truly hope you are not knocking them, as they are wonderful people, and no one is perfect. You were blessed to work with them and the animals for 3 years, lucky you:D If I could afford it, I would work there to if I could:D Have a good one:p

[danno]

Interesting, since you worked there I will assume you are stating the truth?

Knowing Bryan and having seen first hand his passion in working with wild animals, I can say that he would have no reason to do otherwise.

[RatherBNmexico]

wow those are some really good shots
they look awesome

[scully]

Interesting, since you worked there I will assume you are stating the truth? I never heard anything different from what I was told about them having to move. As a matter of fact there were many media/newspaper articles that said the same thing. I can not imagine Dean wanting to leave just because of that, but if that is the true reason, he was dumb for doing that in my opinion. Sorry for mis spelling Prayeri's name but ya know who I meant. I know that any wild animal is not a pet, I know both Dean and Prayeri have been attacked a few times, that is expected when working with wildlife. But look at the good they do do for the animals, they are treated well, feed well, housed alot better than most Non-profit wildlife reservese. If you worked there than you have seen first hand the bond they have with those animals, you don't get a bond like that by mis-treating them! As far as animals being lost during transport I have no idea about that other than Dean did tell us they lost a couple, but again, when transporting a wild animal from a home they knew all their lives, etc is a lot of stress and sometimes older or real nervous type animal can be lost due to that. As far as not paying their workers, I was talking with some of the workers when they first opened up in CAmp Verde, they did tell us that they had for a few months not had any pay due to the move and expenses to set up Camp Verde housing. They was not one person that WAS NOT HAPPY TO DO SO, they are their for the animals welfare and they understood and stuck with Dean and "P" through it for them because they truly believe in Dean and "P" and what they stand for. I truly hope you are not knocking them, as they are wonderful people, and no one is perfect. You were blessed to work with them and the animals for 3 years, lucky you:D If I could afford it, I would work there to if I could:D Have a good one:p


As far as transporting animals goes, there's an entire industry devoted to just that. It is relatively easy to safely transport animals as small as a finch to as large as a white rhino. In the span of my career I've been directly involved in the shipping/transporting of animals from small birds (Honey creepers for example) to the two 30 year old rhinos that the phx zoo currently has. We did not lose any of them.
I got a call from someone who worked at OoA asking me for advice on how to transport their hoofstock. At the time, the idea kicking around at OoA was to buy an old Uhaul truck and cut the roof of off it. That would take care of the height of the giraffe, but it totally neglected the ability for the giraffe to lie down. If a giraffe lies down in a narrow truck, it cannot get up. It needs to be able to swing its neck in a wide arc to be able to throw its front legs out. If it is unable to stand it will die. Extracting a giraffe that is trapped and panicked is very difficult. It can be done, but odds are it will not survive especially when capture myopathy kicks in.
Old, nervous animals can very easily be sedated and transported as long as a proper facility is waiting for them. Recovery from any major stressful event is key.
If I remember correctly, the reason for all the corners being cut was due to cost. Apparently you can put a price on life
When you go back to OoA find all those keepers that were working there for free. Where are they now? It’s hard to pay your rent or mortgage or put food on your table when you’re working for love.:rolleyes:
In terms of cost of the move, they had a few years to save and prepare for it. There really isn't any excuse for what happened. I could go into more detail, but it isn't necessary to prove the point.
There are certain features of OoA that do stand out. Their diet for large cats is the best I've seen, along with the diets that are fed out to the rest of the animals. Although I have heard as of late, that the practice of purchasing organic fruits & veggies has long passed and now old produce that is donated is now the norm. I have not seen that first hand, but it came from a reputable source.
As far as the media is concerned, I had to shut off the TV every time I saw an interview on how the "mean Indians" were kicking them off their land. The media saw fit to only show one side of a very distorted story. I'm not sure why the Indians didn't retort, but I'm sure they had their reasons.
As I said before, I had a very unique experience working there. I have great memories and learned a great deal about different approaches to working around and with animals. It’s not something that I'd do again, but I've taken those lessons with me.


Anyway, I'm getting off of my soapbox now. April, if you'd like to continue this conservation, shoot me a pm. Heaney, sorry for hijacking your thread. You did take some great pictures, its good to see that the critters are adjusting to the new location.


Dan thanks for the words of support!

[jeeperapril]

Anyway, I'm getting off of my soapbox now. April, if you'd like to continue this conservation, shoot me a pm. Heaney, sorry for hijacking your thread. You did take some great pictures, its good to see that the critters are adjusting to the new location.


Dan thanks for the words of support![/QUOTE]

No need to PM I can tell you everyone reading post that I am very naive and believe the best in all, I had read their book, spoke with them, only saw what media was saying. A 10 + year visitor to the park and I would not expect what you have disclosed. So my OOA bubble has been burst:eek: I guess when I go there from now on I will not see such a Rosie picture any more. But I still enjoy the experience. I hope you know I was not knocking you in anyway, just was standing up for what I "thought I knew:confused:. I absolutely love animals, as I see you do, you are lucky to be able to work so closely to them. Are you currently working with animals anywhere? Well, again sorry, I am glad you did not disclose any details about things that were afwle, cause if I knew them in depth, don't know what I would say to good old DEAN next time I saw him.. Don't worry, I wont' say anything, I will make sure not to get on a tour he or P is running, they not know my name, but they do know my and my friend Pats faces. Have a good one!!! :p

[Sedona Jeep School]

Great photos! We went there a few times. The feeding days are the best! I had always wondered what would happen if a black bear and a mountain lion faced off over the same kill, and now I know--the bear takes it! They doubled their prices this year, which appears to be hurting them--all I hear from Sedona visitors is "I don't think I'll pay that much to check it out."

When they first opened up, my husband and I met her making copies at Office Max one day. We expressed a great deal of interest, and asked questions, and generally showed enthusiasm. Then my smart-* husband asks: "Isn't is great that you have the animals in cages next door to the people in cages?" (the country correctional facility is right next door to the park) to which Prayeri responded very defensively "They are NOT cages, they are ENCLOSURES!" :D...Ooookaaay...gotta wonder about someone who works that much with the public who has NO sense of humor! ;):D

[scully]

April, you should definitely enjoy the experience; just go in with your eyes open. This holds true for everything. They paint a wonderful picture at OoA and you are not the first person to be taken in by it. In fact, I once was taken in by it myself. Dean is a very charismatic person and it’s easy to get sucked into his web.
I didn't think you were knocking me, nor did I take any offense at what you said. I just felt the need to clarify since there is so much misinformation out there.
It is an interesting place to visit, with a very unique way of working with animals, but as I said before, go in with your eyes open.
As for where I work, I'm a senior keeper @ the phx zoo. And yes, I'm very well aware of all the warts and skeletons that this institution has. The benefit of this zoo is that it is set up in a way that changes can be made, and are not determined by the whims of one man.