For a free summertime activity what better than a combination of sun, nature trails, exotic animals, domestic animals and an up close look at wild animals in their natural habitat. If this sounds to good to be true then you haven’t been to Noah’s Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center yet!
Noah’s Ark is located in Locust Grove, Georgia. While you won’t find any huge ship in dry dock there, it certainly seems to have enough animals to fill one. Noah’s Ark provides care and treatment for injured, ill, or abused animals with the goal of returning them to the wild if at all possible. They also have an assortment of exotic animals on exhibit that have been rescued and given a permanent loving home there.
Often it is not possible to release injured animals back into the wild, in that case they are considered permanent members of the Noah’s Ark family and live out their days in their natural habitat area on the property. Presently there are an estimated 800 animals on the grounds.
The large central visitor’s center is a good place to start as you are asked to sign their guest book. Here you can pick up a map of the nature trails and animal exhibits. The visitor’s center has restrooms and a water fountain for a cool drink as well as a vending machine dispensing soda or bottled water. You may wish to carry a bottle of water with you along the trails in warm weather but please don’t litter. The natural habitat is home to many animal friends who could be injured investigating anything left behind.
Just behind the visitor’s center are several aviaries housing an assortment of parrots. They are a colorful and noisy flock and sure to be a hit with the children in your group. With a bit of coaching, a cockatoo may even talk back to you! Some may find the parrots much friendlier than the two snacks in large glass enclosers inside the visitor’s center.
There are plenty of well kept concrete pathways to follow when viewing the exotic animal exhibits, however the real treat is in exploring the nature trails and walking along the banks of the stream that flow through the property. The natural habitat area and nature trails are alive with animal friends wandering free. Peacocks, hogs, lamas , ducks, geese, deer just to mention a few.
Without a doubt the highlight of our visit was seeing several new spotted fawn tucked into an out of the way hiding spot beside the stream! We were able to get some great pictures thanks to the zoom lens on my daughter’s camera. We also spotted a duck nesting on eggs tucked away in the hollow of a large tree around the stream bank. We look forward to returning and hope to see the new ducklings and momma together on our next visit.
With 40 acres of nature trails plus it is very easy to quickly spend an afternoon in the nature habitat area and feel as though you only just arrived. The animals you are likely to see at any particular time depends on the weather and time of year. Whenever you visit there is no doubt you will have plenty of opportunity to experience animals in a natural setting at a much closer distance than many people will experience.
Noah’s Ark hosts many Educational programs each year as well as providing Pet Therapy in the surrounding community. All their programs and services are free. Noah’s Ark Animal Rehabitation Center is open to the public free of charge as well. Donations are always appreciated and can be made at the visitor’s center or mailed to the office at a later date.
Noah’s Ark depends on donations and a faithful group of volunteers to maintain the Rehabilitation Center as well as house, care for and feed the animals they have pledged to look after.
Noah’s Ark is located at: 712 LG-Griffin Road
Locust Grove, Georgia 30248
Their hours are: Tuesdays-Saturdays noon until 3 PM.
You can contact the visitors center by calling: 770-957-1181.
However because Noah’s Ark is an outdoor facility, they may be closed in unsuitable weather. Please call ahead to be sure they are open!
Directions can be found on the Noah’s Ark Webpage.
