Parque Safari

 

So, last Friday when Jeff was heading out of the Embassy a friend asked if we wanted to go with them the next day to "see the lions."

 

?????

 

After some investigation we learned that our friends were going to Parque Safari where you can get all up close and personal with large carnivorous creatures.

 

This is something that would so not work in the US due to pesky insurance issues so of course we knew we had to do it.

 

I-5 South to Rancagua

Ta-da!

We made really good time and were there half an hour before the park opened. 

 

One of the staff noticed us waiting outside the gate and let us in to the parking area...he seemed very confused at two carloads of gringos who speak decent-to-good Spanish who arrived at the crack of dawn (9:30am) for a Chilean on a Saturday morning.

I like it when a place takes a theme and runs with it.

Where you buy your tickets.

Our first wild animal sighting.

Ahem.

Bwahahahaha.

Lots of signs stating risks, telling you to remain calm, keep your fingers and hands inside the vehicle, etc. This one also mentions that the trucks are from the 1980s and break down...the only way out is to be pushed by another vehicle...wheeee!

 

That is our vehicle.

We are in a cage on wheels.

To my left.

To my right.

Yes, we shared space with a group of Chileans who were firmly attached to their selfie stick.

 

Hard to see but the lion is up front, to the right of the mirror.

The guide threw some raw chicken up on top of the car and guess who decided to join us?

Getting closer.

He really wants more chicken.

If you put your hand flat against the cage you could feel his tongue.

You could also feel his footpads.

Yum!

The car in front of ours.

Mane.

Yes, those are enormous paws.

As I said, signage was liberally scattered throughout the area.

 

After making it out alive we went off to the much tamer Herbivore Safari.

 

The black window box type containers were filled with alfalfa and we were off.

 

Yes, that is a giraffe...?!?!

Goat

Llamas!!!!

Zebras

Hello there...

And indeed, llamas spit.

Yes, indeed we were this close.

For the record, petting a zebra feels like petting a horse.

Also, they have gorgeous long eyelashes.

Once the alfalfa ran out the animals wandered off.

Some to chill out.

Some seemed to like the shade of the 'train.'

 

Not dead...napping with a full tummy.

The only Asian elephant in Chile.

She was rescued from a zoo and is recuperating.

When she is healthy she will go to an elephant sanctuary in Brazil to live with a herd and finish out her life safe and happy.

Llamas, zebras, deer, goats, sheep and donkeys.

Huh...

Some of the park buildings...there was a small selection of souvenirs and also corn to feed...

 

The ducks and geese.

The geese were aggressive...as geese are.

I don't like geese.

 Megan and Emily feeding the birds.

 

In another part of the park there are more animals who are kept in enclosures.

All the big animals have been rescued or purchased from unsavory zoos or circuses.

A lot of the animals are older.

The park gives them space, food and medical care...much better conditions than they experienced in their previous lives.

 

Sun puddling as all cats like to do.

Don't feed the lions!

This baboon was either really bored or really sleepy...his cage mate was crashed out asleep and this one kept blinking and his head was doing the "trying to stay awake" bob...to be fair it was quite warm in the sun.

 

A porcupine.

Not sure why this is exotic...

The white lioness says, "Rub my tummy?"

The white lion was also resting.

Flamingos!