Not Your Ordinary Zoo: A Daytrip to the Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary

Spring is here and that means that the Animal Ark wildlife sanctuary is open after its seasonal closure.

The Animal Ark is not located in Reno proper. In fact, it’s quite a trek out into the northwestern desert, not far from the California border. Nevada and Eastern California’s mountain ranges stand visible in each direction. This is a scenic area of rolling hills dotted with pinyon pines, bushes and tough grasses that make it a more colorful stretch of desert than Nevada’s barren, sagebrush-dominated expanses.

Photo: Big cats like cheetahs, jaguars and tigers are exciting sights at Animal Ark. Photo credit: Animal Ark, Facebook

You will have to drive down short stretches of dusty dirt roads and in all likelihood will be under the strong desert sun, even during a morning trip in spring. Hats and sunscreen are essential, as are water and snacks. A small gift shop is present, but if you are used to a zoo with a food court and rides, this isn’t that kind of place.

Photo: The desert setting of Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo credit: Dan Bablinskas

Wildlife Sanctuary

Animal Ark is strictly a wildlife sanctuary — and that’s what gives it a unique charm. The animals here have been injured, spent time in private captivity or have gotten into some kind of trouble (such as eating too much chocolate out of dumpsters) that made them unfit for life in the wild — and the Animal Ark had the good graces to take them in.

The lodgings, it must be said, are nothing less than splendid. This stretch of desert has no lack of fresh air, sunshine, quiet and scenic vistas. Rather than being given cramped quarters, each animal is provided a large space that is well separated from the other animals. Because of this, quite a bit of walking is required to completely explore the Animal Ark, some of it up steep hills, so come prepared for a little bit of a hike, though this is part of the attraction.

Don’t Miss the Bear Feeding

One of the best things about arriving early is that you can see the morning bear feeding. It usually takes place around 10:30 or 11 a.m., and with the park opening at 10, this gives you just enough time to get checked in and walk uphill to watch the bear have breakfast. Park guides should be able to help you find your way there if you arrive near the opening.

As you will learn on this adventure, bears eat an extraordinary amount of food, mostly fruits and vegetables and only very little meat (and of this, most is fish). Watching them munch on apples, oranges and lettuce is a very fulfilling experience. After eating, they return to their difficult existence of bathing in water with the desert sun to warm their freshly washed fur.

Photo: Get to Animal Ark early to see the bears get fed. Photo credit: Animal Ark, Facebook

Many Cats

Wild cats — cheetahs, jaguars, mountain lions and more — are also showcased at the Animal Ark. These delicate and deadly animals always impress with their stunning musculature and deadpan faces that make you double-check if the gates are high enough. Much like house cats (and unlike bears, which are closely related to dogs), they aren’t impressed by us humans and tend to yawn and slip away from our gazes even when we gawk and point at them.

Photo: Animal Ark's red foxes are actually black. Photo credit: Animal Ark, Facebook

Many Other Animals

Wolves, birds of prey and native desert animals, such as porcupines and desert tortoises, also take refuge in the Animal Ark. It seems like in recent years the number of birds has grown as they’ve expanded the number of coops for them to live in. I’m always a fan of the scraggly wolves — but, as the guides and signs warn, you are strongly discouraged from howling at them, much to this dad’s dismay.

The desert tortoises crawl freely and are one of the few animals you can actually touch here. They don’t seem bothered by your fingers running along their smooth shells; they are just enjoying the sunshine. Natives to the area, they are known for their exceptional lifespan, helped by their slow and steady approach to life.

Photo: Desert tortoises roam freely at Animal Ark and don't mind if you touch them. Animal Ark, Facebook

Animal Ark is one of Reno’s hidden Easter eggs — and in due form it’s a bit of a hunt to get there, but it’s well worth the effort. Looking through their website, they have special events, such as meet and greets of specific animals, as well as options for private events. We usually make an annual visit in the spring or fall when crowds are lower and the sun not quite as intense. But whenever you go out, the Animal Ark is pure joy.

Want to go?

Animal Ark
(775) 475-9626
animalark.org
1265 Deerlodge Road, Reno

Animal Ark is open early April until late November Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (closed Mondays). The cost is $25 per adult. Discounts are availabe for children, students and groups.

Find information about special events and fundraisers on the Animal Ark Facebook page here.