wildlife west nature park

Wow, Hate to say it but I have lived 30 miles from this place without ever knowing about it. Groupon ran a special for it so we packed up the 3 kids and went to explore. First, this is a privately funded experience run with volunteers. No maids and clean up staff, no one to pick up your trash or police your snotty children. If it rains it will be muddy. If hot you will sweat without A/C running any place. Want paved walks, ice cream and high priced hot dogs, go to the ABQ zoo. If you want to see animals not only rescued and well provided for but actually LOVED and worried over, come here. First thoughts were that these animals were not neurotic. They look at you and want attention. They respond when you call them. Talk gently to the Bobcat and you will hear a deep guttural purr. The deer will lend an ear to have scratched. The lone female Coyote will press the fence and gently whine so you press back against her with a light rub. The birds will cackle, screech and strut for you.The Eagles just majestically watch as you pass. The Wolves will look at you as if you were a meal they want to plot against. Sure, the Porcupines and Raccoons just sleep away but the cats and Elk are better hosts.

We saw signs for this wildlife park on I-40 and decided to fit it into our visit with friends. We went during a snow storm on January 2. Good timing right? The snow stopped by the time we got to the park but it was covered in snow. We were the only people there (of course), although quite a few people were coming in by the time we left.With the senior discount we only paid $5 each. The total walk through the park is about 1 mile. 1 mile in the snow is a lot of exercise for me, but we had a great time. Some of the animals were in their dens: the bear, raccoons and tortoises. But everyone else was out having fun in the snow and cold air.All of the animals are rescued. The map of the park tells you how each animal came to be there. Some were not working out as pets (bobcats) and some were shot in the wild (some of the birds). All of the animals look very healthy and have reasonably sized enclosures to live in. I really enjoyed the bobcats rolling around in the snow, the pack of wolves trotting through the trees and the big raptors. They also had porcupines, coyotes, elk, deer and antelope.It sounds like there are a lot of fun warm weather activities, so maybe we will come back someday for those.The staff were very friendly, they have a cute little gift shop and these people do really good work with the animals that need them.

The critters are in enclosures that give them security but visitors are able to see them. You are allowed to walk the area according to nice laid out trails at your own pace. This is a nature park and you will see a large amount of "nature". Well worth the trip especially if you have children.

I attended a blacksmith competition at the the park with a friend and neither one of us had ever visited the Nature Park even though we live in Albuquerque, so perfect opportunity on a warm breezy late October Sunday, the 26th. I will be returning and want to try the chuck wagon supper in the summer. My friend and I were struck by how healthy and well cared for the animals were, the enclosures were clean with ample room. It was enjoyable reading the plaques introducing you to each animal or bird, learning their names and just what fate brought them there. The park is quite rustic looking yet fitting for the surroundings, both my friend and I were very impressed. A must visit.

Cross another one off my bucket list. Have wanted to go to the park and the chuck wagon BBQ for a couple of years now. Unfortunately, it was too hot to see any of the animals as they were smarter than me and were hiding in the shade. This is a good thing the owners are doing. The Raptor show was quite good and very informative. We were supposed to eat at 7 p.m. However, due to a large reunion/wedding and a raffle we did not get to eat until after 9 pm. The food was good and the entertainment great. I think the food service could have been streamlined by just letting a few tables go at a time and not giving preferential treatment to the large great. The staff is great and the price reasonable.

Really neat way to see animals native to New Mexico. We arrived right after opening and were the only people in the park for the first hour.

This is and interesting half hour drive east of Albuquerque, through the mountains. The facility is basically a repository for various permanently injured ex-wild animals or captive born animals that cannot be rereleased. The facilities are well maintained an reasonably human to very good, all things considering. The views of the surrounding country and the semi-wild footpaths are also well worth the trip. Excellent value for the money ($7 at the time of writing), and a recommended half day trip from Albuquerque. .

Just returned from the Music Festival. Can't rave enough about the high quality entertainment. This team (who call themselves volunteers) really know how to select top-notch entertainers! A star-studded week end like this should have been priced at $200, and not at the meager $35 that I paid at the door! I do hope that this venue continues to exist beyond 2014. I hope somebody "shakes up" these folks so they recognize that the wonderful service they provide is inconsistent with the low, low prices they charge for admission. .Just as socialist governments around the world are failing, this venue will fail unless it embraces a real working business model. Survival is not just about love or fun!

I am an animal lover and am always looking for places to go that has animals! They had several owls, hawks, ravens, cougar, elk, wolves, and coyotes. The cougar seemed very friendly behind the glass and even came up to to us and rubbed against the glass and laid down in front of the glass and we got a nice photo of my husband and I w/ the cougar :)

the staff was very helpful. thank u for supporting the retired military. beautiful place. thank you for keeping animals safe and affordable visits, would do again!

Edgewood's best kept secret. I have first hand knowledge of this place as I was a keeper there for 6 and a half years. I went first as a visitor to the chuckwagon dinners offered in the summer. And I fell in love. Took the bird handling class offered in the spring and then became a volunteer bird keeper. Everything about the park is so awesome from the grounds to the staff to the whole reason why it is there. You can take as much or as little time as you want to visit and usually all the animals will come right up to the window so that they are easier to see and photograph. The trails are easy and you can bring a lunch. All fees go right back into the care and feeding of the animals. And all are native to New Mexico. The only zoo all built by kids, YCC, Youth Conservation Core. Wildlife West is a wonderful place. Enjoy!!!

Durable walk a good layout with the animals. It was very relaxing to walk on the trail and look at the animals. We can't wait to bring our grandchildren to see the animals.

We got a great deal to visit this location through living social. I took two teenaged grandkids and myself. When we arrived they were also doing the grand opening of the Bear Barn Art Gallery located on premises. We were treated to a free lunch of hot dogs, chips, drinks and cake aor cookies! What a gat surprise! Wonderful things in the gallèry, reasonably priced. The wildlife park was a self guided tour which was wonderful as you could spend as much or as little time as you wanted with each animal. There were also benches here and there where you could rest andcool off. They offer some night time programs that the kids were interested in doing when we go back. The walk througrh the park was not strenous at all. I did not have problems with it and I have breathing issues. Water and some snacks were available to purchase. We visited very early in the season. They also have military pricing for those who serve.

This is kind of a zoo, kinda not. A lot of the animals here were abandoned or in danger or hurt, and ended up here being taken care of. Everything from a common raccoon to a mountain lion to a black bear. Your entrance fee goes toward taking care of the animals, which is cool.Definitely check out the mountain lion, coyotes, wolves, and bear.

This is not your typical zoo. This is an amazing local non-profit that has taken in hurt and damaged wildlife. Now everyone can see almost all the major indigenous New Mexican wildlife species in just a few hours. If you are local to the ABQ region, this is a must see! And they have great outdoor events, BBQs and musicians year round! Keep them on your calendar.