Keepers of the Wild
Keepers is 30 miles (48 km), 45 minute drive, east of Kingman on Historic Route 66. Keepers houses over 175 exotic and native Arizona animals.
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Open to the public Wednesday through Monday, 9 am to 5 pm (AZ time), closed Tuesdays.
Embark on a wild journey through a picturesque 175-acre canyon in Valentine, AZ- the heart of Historic Route 66 .
Just 20 minutes east of Kingman, AZ, you’ll see in close range over 130 wild animals such as lions, tigers, wolves, bears, leopards, primates, and various wildlife indigenous to the beautiful Southwest.
Experience a memorable hour and fifteen-minute safari hosted by a knowledgeable Keeper who will drive you through the park while sharing fun, interesting, and heart-felt accounts of how their beloved rescued animals came to call Keepers of the Wild home. You won't want to miss the daily Guided Feeding Tour at 3:30pm to witness the big cats and carnivores devour their dinner just feet away!
History: Founder Jonathan Kraft had long established himself as a producer, creator, and performer in Las Vegas when he acquired two tiger cubs for a production. His work with wild animals included movies, TV shows, commercials, documentaries, specials, and a variety of shoots and exhibits. He soon witnessed the neglect and abuse that many animal performers suffer behind the scenes and learned that once these magnificent creatures lose their value as a performer they are commonly disposed of.
Jonathan started rescuing animals and as this reputation spread, he started receiving calls from performers seeking to unload under-performing animals. Consumed with the full-time care needs of the animals, he put his production on hiatus and launched Predator’s Paradise, an educational wildlife theme park at the Aladdin Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Predator’s Paradise was successful, however Jonathan realized that animals in entertainment do not have a quality of life, even under the best circumstances. So in 1995, Jonathan established Keepers of the Wild as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal sanctuary on a three-acre site in Las Vegas, NV.
Keepers of the Wild relocated from Las Vegas to a 32 acre site in Whithills, AZ along Hwy 93 about 26 miles south of Hoover Dam in 1999. In 2006, it was relocated to the present location on Historic Route 66 and sits on 175 acres held in trust, giving over 130 exotic animals a permanent home with beautiful rock formations, and natural vegetation.