kids encyclopedia robot

Great Cats World Park facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Great Cats World Park
Great Cats World Park logo.jpg
Zoo logo
Date opened May 2005
Location Cave Junction, Oregon, United States
Coordinates 42°08′28″N 123°39′32″W / 42.141164°N 123.658976°W / 42.141164; -123.658976

Great Cats World Park is a special place in Cave Junction, Oregon, USA, that focuses on caring for and showcasing many different types of big cats. It's a privately owned park, meaning it's run by individuals, not the government.

Park History

Great Cats World Park was built on a 10-acre piece of land near the Redwood Highway. The land was bought in 2003, and the park first opened its doors to visitors in May 2005.

Protecting Rare Animals

Serval at Big Cats World Park
A serval at Great Cats World Park.

In September 2007, Great Cats World Park faced a situation involving an ocelot, which is a rare wild cat. The park's owner, Craig Wagner, had bought the ocelot for $3,000. Rules are in place to prevent the sale of rare animals like ocelots to help protect them. Because of this, the park had to follow special rules for one month and pay a penalty of $10,000.

The ocelot continued to live at Great Cats World Park. Experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided it was best for the animal to stay where it was being cared for.

Keeping Everyone Safe

Working with big cats requires a lot of care and attention to safety. In 2016, an employee at the park needed medical attention after being bitten by one of the tigers. Over the years, there have been a few reports of animal bites at the facility. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) looked into these incidents to make sure safety rules were being followed.

Amazing Cats

Great Cats World Park
A white tiger and its handler at Great Cats World Park.

As of 2014, Great Cats World Park was home to over 50 different cats. These cats represent 17 different species and subspecies. Some of the amazing cats you might find there include cougars, leopards, jaguars, African lions, tigers, fishing cats, and an African wild cat.

See Also

  • List of companies based in Oregon
kids search engine
Great Cats World Park Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.