Bloomfield---An open-air zoo located south of Lake Geneva is starting to draw crowds.
Safari Lake Geneva Park owner Jungle Jay Christie spent 16 years with the Racine Zoo before leaving to pursue his dream of giving visitors an up close look at exotic hoofed and winged creatures the world over. "They come from all around the world," says Christie. "Every continent is represented with the exception of Antarctica."
Groups of up to 25 travel in carts across the 75 acre preserve and many of the animals come right up to be hand fed a special blend in each tourist’s bucket. Giant Bison, miniature horses, ostrich’s, zebras, and large horned watusi cattle from east Africa all belly up to the bars of the wagon. "In most cases you can get much closer to the animals than you cat get in the traditional zoo," Christie says.
The park opened in late August with about 70 animals, but Christie hopes to eventually have 150 on hand. It's the only one of its kind in Wisconsin, according to Christie.
Safari Lake Geneva is open through the end of October. The animals have heated shelter but many from high mountain ranges are already well adapted to Wisconsin winters.
Admission is just under $25 for adults and half-price for children.
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