Now open daily, The Wilds is kicking off an exciting season! This year, The Wilds commemorates 30 years of impactful conservation initiatives and unforgettable guest experiences, and is celebrating the welcomed addition of some new faces that are sure to melt guests’ hearts.
The conservation center has celebrated the births of 21 baby animals in 2024 so far—and a total of 25 babies when including the center’s record-setting rhino birthing season from August 2023 to February 2024. Most importantly, in addition to rhinos, these recent babies are contributing to the future of two other at-risk species: Sichuan takin, and Père David’s deer, which is listed as extinct in the wild.
Currently, all of the babies are in The Wilds’ pasture with their herds and may be spotted during tours. As of May 1, 2024, The Wilds is fully open for the full summer season, offering a variety of activities that are fun for the whole family. In honor of The Wilds welcoming visitors for 30 years, guests can also enjoy special offerings throughout 2024 as a token of the unwavering support provided over the last three decades.
New Faces
- Six rhinos (four white rhinos and two greater-one horned rhinos) were born throughout The Wilds’ most recent rhino birthing season, including greater one-horned rhino, Stella—the first calf ever hand-raised by The Wilds’ care team. Greater one-horned rhinos are classified as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) while the white rhino is listed as “Near Threatened.” The Wilds is the only facility with rhinos born five generations removed from their wild ancestors.
- Five Sichuan takin kids have been born into the herd. The Wilds is home to the largest breeding herd of Sichuan takin in North America. Known as “goat-antelopes,” the Sichuan takin is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union For Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species™ due to threats, including overhunting and habitat loss.
- Fourteen Père David’s deer fawns were born into The Wilds’ herd, the largest Père David’s deer herd in any North American zoological facility. The species was nearly extinct due to overhunting and habitat loss in the early 1900s. An English noble founded a herd on his estate with the remaining deer, and all of the Père David’s deer alive today are descendants of this herd. Thanks to breeding efforts at zoological facilities and other conservation organizations, two herds (consisting of fewer than 100 animals) were re-introduced to China in the 1980s. Today, there are more than 7,000 Père David’s deer living in one reserve in China, and an estimated 1,000 deer living totally in the wild. The IUCN continues to list the species as Extinct in the Wild until the re-introduced population has proven to be sustainable. Including The Wilds, Père David’s deer can only be found in 8 AZA-accredited zoological facilities, and The Wilds has welcomed more than 200 fawns.
 | Image credit: Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium |
“We take immense pride in the success of our breeding programs, which have greatly contributed to the conservation of these rare species. Through our mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife., we strive to inform and inspire our guests about these species, encouraging them to take action to help protect these animals’ future. It is also because of our community and our guests’ support over the last 30 years that we have been able to participate and lead conservation efforts that are making such a positive impact for wildlife locally and globally. We are excited to share these successes and our achievements with our guests this year, as well as well for many years to come,” said Dr. Joe Smith, Vice President of The Wilds.
Celebrating 30 Years
In honor of The Wilds’ 30-year history of being open to the public, The Wilds is sharing inspirational wildlife stories, hosting exciting events, and offering special monthly discounts for guests throughout 2024.
Highlights of The Wilds’ 30th celebration include:
- Monthly exclusive discounts on tours and lodging. (Each new promotion will be announced on the 30th day of the month.
- New tour! The brand-new Behind-the-Scenes Safari offers guests a unique opportunity to discover a day in the life at The Wilds. Participants travel behind the scenes with Conservation Medicine, Animal Management, and Ecology team members to watch animal procedures, participate in giraffe enrichment, and see wildlife ecology in action.
- Debut of historical timeline display (Coming in late Spring 2024). This compelling timeline will be debuted in The Wilds’ Bing Overlook Facility and highlight the history of the land.
- Guest memories on The Wilds website and social media. Over the years, thousands of guests have been an important part of The Wilds’ history and created special memories of their own. The Wilds is inviting fans to email their favorite photos of these enjoyable Wilds moments for an opportunity to have them featured on The Wilds website and social media.
- 30th celebration-themed merchandise. Guests can purchase a unique item commemorating their visit during this special milestone for The Wilds.
- Launch of online store (Coming in late Spring 2024). The Wilds’ fans can send the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift to a loved one by shopping our online store while also knowing that their purchase makes a difference for wildlife.
- 30th celebration-themed fundraising events, including Fall Safari at The Wilds on October 11, 2024. During Fall Safari at The Wilds, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy select tour destinations, food and beverages, a mission-focused presentation by Wilds staff, and a live auction and Fund-A-Need to raise funds for impactful capital projects at the conservation facility.
