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FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER A non-traditional zoo, a non-traditional experience! |
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It only takes a few minutes of speaking
with Dr. Pat Condy to realize that he’s not just another animal lover.
Executive director of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (FWRC), Condy and his
team of around 80 full time experts don’t just keep animals because they
like them and want to share them with the public. They keep animals
because they are trying to save their species and reintroduce them to
their native habitats. Years of immersion in conservation issues and organizations, volunteering for species propagation programs and developing on-site facilities and programs have allowed FWRC to attract an expert and diverse staff that is achieving remarkable success with propagation efforts and building a worldwide reputation for excellence in conservation practices. The center is a private non-profit wildlife conservation and education organization occupying 1,700 acres of Texas Hill Country near Glen Rose. The center owns its land. Open to the public both to raise funds and allow visitors to observe and interact with these amazing animals, the center also teaches visitors about efforts to protect and conserve them. |
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The first non-traditional zoo ever to be accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), FWRC is known for its success with reintroducing the Red Wolf, Mexican Grey Wolf, and Attwater’s Prairie Chicken; as well as for breeding many Cheetahs in North America, second only to the San Diego Zoo; and for sending two antelope species back to Tunisia (Africa) to help with their conservation in their natural range. The center is one of very few wildlife animal conservation facilities in North America with the space to focus on endangered species recovery and reintroduction while keeping the animals nearly free-ranging and in their natural group sizes by herd or flock. This greatly enhances breeding success and the probability of the animals surviving reintroduction to their native range. | |||||||
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More than 1,000 animals, including
rhinoceros, oryx, giraffe, three zebra species two of
which are endangered, deer, antelope, bison, wolf and cheetah; call the
center home. Executive director Condy, originally from Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, is a former director of the zoo in Johannesburg, South Africa. He says that the terrain at FWRC is surprisingly similar to the countryside he was accustomed to in South Africa. Most of the center is open to the public via a 9 mile scenic drive, which visitors can traverse in the privacy of their own vehicle. Condy pointed out, “This is a relaxed and comfortable way for families to see the animals and enjoy the park - at their own pace and in air conditioned comfort. The animals are free to roam and many approach vehicles looking for food, unlike a zoo where there are always barriers between guests and the animals.” Before starting on the drive, visitors can purchase approved food to give out. At the midway point of the drive families can stop at the Overlook, which has a restaurant and gift shop with picnic areas, strategically located on a hilltop with a beautiful view. For those preferring a more in-depth and educational experience, various guided tours are offered, from the popular Family and Behind the Scenes tours, to the more unusual Starry Safari, Discovery after Dark, Sunset, and Dinner Event tours. Group discounts are available and help make FRWC a popular destination for school and church groups. There is also overnight bed & breakfast type lodging, with 5 guest rooms in The Lodge and 7 luxury tents in the Foothills Safari Camp. Condy reports that some major DFW corporations purchase specialty tour and lodging packages as part of their employee rewards and incentive programs. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a living classroom, with educational programs going on throughout the year including teacher workshops, photography workshops, and programs for school fieldtrips and also home-schooled children. During the summer, the big draw is the Wolf Ridge Nature Camp which offers day and overnight programs for kids 7 to 15. In addition to learning about wildlife conservation, campers will participate in such activities as archery, animal exploration, arts and crafts, hiking, nature journaling, native culture lessons, astronomy, and cooking. North Texans are fortunate to have this unique, world-class facility located nearby. Glen Rose is a one hour drive from much of the Metroplex, a little farther for those in North Dallas and Collin County. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has a variety of pricing options and features the Stay and Play program to enable guests to explore and enjoy other attractions in the Glen Rose area. Guests can come back the next day before 10 am and be admitted for free by showing their ticket receipt. Other local attractions include Dinosaur Valley State Park, Squaw Valley Golf Course, an amphitheater that houses “Land of the Dinosaurs” musical in summer and “The Promise” passion play during the fall, and historic Glen Rose Courthouse Square surrounded by shops, galleries, and cafes; plus there’s canoeing or tubing on the nearby Brazos River. For more information about Glen Rose visit its CVB website at www.glenrosetexas.net. For more information about FWRC, visit www.fossilrim.org or call 254-897-2960. | ||||||||
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