Great Cats! A fierce experience
From our weekly issue dated July 28, 2010
The sun beats down as an African wild cat called a serval leaps several feet into the air. A crowd watches enthusiastically, and many take photographs to document the occasion.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, lions, tigers and jaguars await their turn to showcase their well-honed pouncing skills.
One would expect to witness that scene on a safari, far from the reaches of civilization. But it has become a daily occurrence for the past five years at Great Cats World Park, located on Redwood Hwy. a short distance south of Downtown Cave Junction.
The 10-acre facility features 38 big cats representing 17 different species, many of which are endangered. Tours provided by knowledgeable guides help enhance the educational aspect of the quite unique attraction.
Owner Craig Wagner encountered his first pair of cougars at the tender age of 17. He began living with large cats, and they all began to train each other.
Wagner“s eclectic skill sets enabled him to develop a reputation and some degree of fame in his native Minnesota. The stage shows that he presented throughout the country with the big cats cemented his reputation before he opened the park near Cave Junction in 2005.
Now, approximately 150 visitors per day explore the park and its wonders during summers.
Park Manager Emily Fraser said that people come from as far away as Japan, and that the facility“s success is driven by strong word of mouth. In fact, groups of Asian zoo keepers in training have visited the site.
New to Great Cats World Park this year is a breeding program. A pair of servals bred successfully earlier this month. And a pair of Far Eastern Amur leopards is expecting offspring in early fall.
Fraser said that what sets Great Cats World Park apart from any similar site is the fact that its animals exhibit behavior similar to that typically seen in the wild.
The park is home to the fourth successfully cloned wild cat in history, it is stated. Also featured are a 475-pound male lion, a 480-pound Bengal tiger and other rare beasts of prey.
“We house some of the most endangered mammals on the planet,“ Fraser said.
During the summertime, Great Cats World Park is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days per week. For more information, phone 541-592-2957 or visit greatcatsworldpark.com/cmsj.
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