KEEPERS OF THE WILD

I've written about this animal rescue sanctuary before, but it has been about 2 years since we last visited. Due to predicted high winds, Diana, Bob, Patty and I took the jeep instead of the bikes, and drove to Keepers, located on old Route 66, east of Kingman, AZ.

When we arrived at about 1:30 pm, the tour was just starting, so we followed along, and heard the stories about the animals, and how they came to be residents. Keepers of the Wild is not a breeding facility, conversely, most of these animals have been rescued for a variety of reasons, and had there not been room here, many of these beautiful cats would have been euthanized.

Each time we visit this unique facility, there are always new animals that have been given a 2nd chance to live out their lives, where they are well taken care of. A few months ago, we read in the local paper where Keepers had acquired 4 Bobcat Cubs. Since reading the story, we have wanted to see them, and we did yesterday. However, they weren't cubs any longer, and were almost full grown.

During the tour, the guide throws a small piece of meat to each animal, so most of them are close to the fence when you pass by. Not like a lot of zoo's where many of the animals are sleeping during the day. One of the nice things about this place is the fact that most of the animals have very large enclosures, and are not confined to small cages.

After leaving Keepers, we stopped at Cracker Barrel in Kingman for an early dinner, then finished the day at home watching American Idol. It's supposed to rain a little today, so I think the bikes will remain in the garage.