Jungle Cat World facts for kids
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| Date opened | 1983 |
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| Location | Orono, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 43°59′37″N 78°36′28″W / 43.99361°N 78.60778°W |
| No. of animals | 178 |
| No. of species | 60 |
Jungle Cat World is a wildlife park in Orono, Ontario, Canada. It first opened in 1983 and was originally called "Orono Exotic Cat World." The park is about 45 minutes east of Toronto. It is open all year and is home to over 150 animals.
This park was once a member of important zoo groups. These included the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
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Discovering Jungle Cat World Features
Jungle Cat World offers special ways to see its animals. One popular event is the Night Safari. This is a guided tour that happens after dark. It lets visitors see animals that are active at night, known as nocturnal animals.
Another program is "Behind the Scenes." This is a private, 45-minute tour. An Animal Coordinator guides it. It gives visitors a chance to learn more about some animals. You might even get a photo with them. Jungle Cat World also has a place to stay called a bed and breakfast lodge.
Safari Zoo Camp Adventures
Since 1995, Jungle Cat World has hosted an overnight summer camp. It is called Safari Zoo Camp. Each year, about 300 campers visit from late June to late August. Campers are usually between 6 and 17 years old. They can choose from nine different camp sessions.
The camp area is located on the park's property. It has its own sleeping quarters. Safari Zoo Camp lets campers learn what it is like to be a zookeeper. They get hands-on experience with animals and reptiles. Older campers can help feed animals during tours. They also help present animals at special events in the community. In 2011, Safari Zoo Camp was named one of the top green summer camps in North America. It is also a member of the Ontario Camps Association.
Learning at Jungle Cat World
When Jungle Cat World first opened, it was mainly a place for fun. Over time, it started to focus more on teaching visitors. Now, every day, a zookeeper leads an educational tour. During this tour, visitors can watch the feeding of large cats, wolves, and primates. This helps people learn about these amazing animals.
Park Standards and Accreditation
Jungle Cat World has faced concerns from animal welfare groups. These groups have raised questions about how the animals are cared for. For example, some reports mentioned that the park offered chances for photos with young lions and tigers. Animal welfare groups felt these photo opportunities were not good for the animals.
In 2016, a report noted that some animal exhibits looked messy. It also mentioned that some animals were pacing back and forth. This behavior can sometimes mean an animal is stressed.
In 2018, Jungle Cat World lost its membership with WAZA. Later, it also left the Canadian Association of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums. This happened after inspections of the park.
Past Animal Escapes
Sometimes, animals have gotten out of the park. In 2011, a wolf escaped from Jungle Cat World. It was later shot by a person living nearby.
