The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The Wild Animal Sanctuary houses lions, tigers, bears, leopards, cougars, wolves and other exotic and large carnivores. The sanctuary lies on vast, rolling grasslands, comprising more than 700 acres.

Since 1980, has non profit company has rescued nearly 1000 animals from all over the US and Mexico. In spring 2015 33 lions were rescued from a circus in Peru and relocated to the Sanctuary.

Big Cats at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg

Tucked away in the plains northeast of Denver, The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a refuge for big animals. The 720 sanctuary features hundreds of lions, tigers, bears, wolves and other large carnivores rescued from around the world.

It’s a great place to visit year round, where you can see the animals in wide open more natural settings, than at a zoo. An elevated walkway, now the “World’s Longest Footbridge” at over 1.5 miles, overlooks the complex. Sometimes you’re able get fairly close to the wildlife. Keenesburg is located about about an hour from Denver.

Animal Species

African Lions, Black Bears, Bobcats, Camel, Coati Mundi, Coyote, Emu, Foxes, Grizzly Bears, Leopards, Lynx, Mountain Lions, Raccoon, Tigers, Wolves

Items to Bring

Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat
Comfortable shoes and jacket
Water, picnic lunch or snacks (water & snacks sold in gift shop)
Binoculars, camera, video camera

Their mission

“To prevent and alleviate cruelty to animals which are abandoned or were subject to deprivation or neglect, by providing care and boarding.”

“To rescue and provide life-long homes for large, exotic and endangered captive wild animals and to educate the public about the causes of and solutions to the world’s captive wildlife crisis.”

Big cat resting.