| Wild Wilderness Drive through Safari 20923 Safari Road Gentry, AR 72734 (479) 736-8383 |
The Wild Wilderness Safari, located north of Gentry, Arkansas, had its beginnings in the early 1950's.
Ross Wilmoth, born and raised in the Falling Springs community west of Decatur, Arkansas, married
Freda Luttrell, a native of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, in 1951. Ross, a World War II Navy Veteran who
served in the Pacific Rim and Japan, planned to settle down and raise a large family on a farm. Like so
many baby boomer families, the Wilmoth's started with very little material possessions, but much
ambition to achieve their American dream. Little did they know that their small dairy farm in the 1950's
would grow into the unique and diverse animal safari that it is today.
Ross Wilmoth, born and raised in the Falling Springs community west of Decatur, Arkansas, married
Freda Luttrell, a native of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, in 1951. Ross, a World War II Navy Veteran who
served in the Pacific Rim and Japan, planned to settle down and raise a large family on a farm. Like so
many baby boomer families, the Wilmoth's started with very little material possessions, but much
ambition to achieve their American dream. Little did they know that their small dairy farm in the 1950's
would grow into the unique and diverse animal safari that it is today.
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As word spread throughout Northwest Arkansas, the farm drew many visitors to view the exotic
animals. During these years, the family also stayed busy with maintaining eight poultry houses, raising
large field crops, continuing their cattle operations, and raising hay to feed the animals. With so much
outside interest, a family decision was made in the early 1970's to expand the exotic animal facet of the
farm; and thus Wild Wilderness Safari was established.
animals. During these years, the family also stayed busy with maintaining eight poultry houses, raising
large field crops, continuing their cattle operations, and raising hay to feed the animals. With so much
outside interest, a family decision was made in the early 1970's to expand the exotic animal facet of the
farm; and thus Wild Wilderness Safari was established.
Now, over 180 acres have been developed into a park
setting. The Safari has expanded to include petting
areas where visitors can feed kangaroos and pygmy
goats. In the walk through area, customers may view
enclosed pens of porcupines, cavies, macaws, and
other exotic birds, monkeys, zebras, and giraffes. In
the drive-through area, visitors may view various
breeds of cats, such as tigers, leopards, and lions, as
well as bears and hoofed animals including Cape and
American Buffalo, Longhorn cattle, Wildebeests,
camels, antelope, and many species of deer. There's
also a rhinoceros and hippopotamus, which have the
luxury of their own pond. Ostriches and emus also
roam the park. As with all animals, shelter and feed
must be provided year round in all types of weather.
setting. The Safari has expanded to include petting
areas where visitors can feed kangaroos and pygmy
goats. In the walk through area, customers may view
enclosed pens of porcupines, cavies, macaws, and
other exotic birds, monkeys, zebras, and giraffes. In
the drive-through area, visitors may view various
breeds of cats, such as tigers, leopards, and lions, as
well as bears and hoofed animals including Cape and
American Buffalo, Longhorn cattle, Wildebeests,
camels, antelope, and many species of deer. There's
also a rhinoceros and hippopotamus, which have the
luxury of their own pond. Ostriches and emus also
roam the park. As with all animals, shelter and feed
must be provided year round in all types of weather.
First time visitors are in for a pleasant surprise to find such a beautiful animal park in a small town
nestled in the Ozarks. The Safari is open 365 days a year. In the spring, many school groups visit the
park with bus loads of children. Weekends typically bring families who spend a pleasurable day
playing with the animals and having a picnic. Be sure to plan your visit soon, and bring your camera to
snap pictures to show your friends and co-workers!
nestled in the Ozarks. The Safari is open 365 days a year. In the spring, many school groups visit the
park with bus loads of children. Weekends typically bring families who spend a pleasurable day
playing with the animals and having a picnic. Be sure to plan your visit soon, and bring your camera to
snap pictures to show your friends and co-workers!
How It All Began
In the 1960's, they began an exotic animal program:
cross breeding domestic cattle, such as Herefords,
Angus, and Brahmas, with American Buffalo. They
also began raising large herds of elk and various
breeds of deer. People began to bring orphaned or
injured animals the Wilmoth's, such as deer, that they
would nurse and nurture back to health. As their farm
grew, so did their family. The Wilmoth's have raised
eight children. They not only had dogs and cats as
typical pets, but also monkeys, deer, peacocks, and
other varieties of birds and hoofed animals.
cross breeding domestic cattle, such as Herefords,
Angus, and Brahmas, with American Buffalo. They
also began raising large herds of elk and various
breeds of deer. People began to bring orphaned or
injured animals the Wilmoth's, such as deer, that they
would nurse and nurture back to health. As their farm
grew, so did their family. The Wilmoth's have raised
eight children. They not only had dogs and cats as
typical pets, but also monkeys, deer, peacocks, and
other varieties of birds and hoofed animals.
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| www.wildwildernessdrivethroughsafari.com |
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