The Wilds
We traveled to Cumberland this week to visit The Wilds, which covers 10,000 acres of pasture and woods. What was once coal-mined lands has become a leader in the conservation of threatened and endangered animals over the past thirty years. The non-profit organization started growing vegetation to cover the area in the 1990s and began by releasing wild horses into the pasture. Seven years after opening to the public, they partnered with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Over the years, they have sent several animals away for mating programs and even released some back into the wild after helping to revive their numbers.
Our tour guide was a wealth of knowledge, sharing fascinating facts about the various animals and The Wilds themselves. The drive from Gahanna was worth our experience, but download the directions because the service grows spotty as you get closer. We made the mistake of taking off our GPS, but luckily, signs start pointing the way miles before you arrive. We did the open-air safari, which features a windowless bus that gets up close and personal with the animals. After parking, a regular bus will take you up to the start of the tour. Before heading off, grab a snack and drink from the entrance building or wait until you get to the predator zone for a warm pretzel, burger, or whipped dole.
The open-air bus was incredible, and we took the back seats that faced outwards towards the windows. Although we had to turn around to see the opposite side, it gave us the best view. Pack your sunscreen or a light jacket, depending on the weather, as the sun and wind are not held back. The tour guide made sure to drive slowly and stop every time we saw animals, even going so far as to ensure we all had our pictures before moving on. The animals varied from wild horses to giraffes to predators and more. We had a curious ostrich come and stick its head in our bus, and a giraffe stopped beside us as it grazed. The predators have their own individual areas that are enclosed. It was incredible to see the painted dogs chasing each other and the cheetahs following their usual paths carved through the grass from days of running them. Our favorite sight was a mama rhino with massive horns that she grew to protect her baby. The Wilds are focused on repopulation and even trade with other organizations to help with diversity, so we saw several baby animals on our tour.
The experience lasted roughly an hour and a half and ended with a trip to the gift shop and overlook. The overlook featured views of the pasture and the yurts among it. Visiting The Wilds has several options, including overnight visits in the cabins or sleeping in the pasture in yurts—where you become the animals and the animals look in on you! In addition to the safari tours, there are walking tours to see the local fauna of Ohio, adventure tours featuring zip lining or horseback riding, bird-watching tours, and more! No matter which tour you choose, you are bound to have a fun and educational time. We loved the experience of seeing the animals in a more “wild” environment and can’t wait to take kids there someday! Later this week, check out our Instagram @614explorers for video footage of our trip!
