Wildlife West Nature Park facts for kids
A wolf at the park
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| Location | Edgewood, New Mexico, United States |
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| Land area | 122 acres (49 ha) |
| Coordinates | 35°04′26″N 106°12′13″W / 35.0739°N 106.2036°W |
Wildlife West Nature Park is a cool place in Edgewood, New Mexico, USA. It's a 122-acre (49 ha) park that's part nature park, part zoo, and part entertainment spot! The New Mexico Wildlife Association runs it.
This park is home to many animals that can't live in the wild on their own. It also provides a natural home for wild animals that roam freely or migrate through the area. Wildlife West offers lots of fun learning programs for all ages. It's special because it might be the only zoo in the world built completely by young people!
Helping Animals Thrive
Wildlife West really cares about making animals happy and healthy. This is called animal enrichment. The park creates special environments, fun activities, and things to explore. These help the animals act like they would in nature. It also helps them feel good mentally and emotionally.
The animal homes look very natural. This is because they are carefully designed for each animal. The park thinks about what each animal needs and how it thinks. Animals get fun challenges, like special ways to find food or play. This lets them use their natural talents and skills. These are the same skills that help them survive in the wild.
Learning and Discovery
Wildlife West has many educational programs. They are for people of all ages. You can learn about handling wild birds. Or, you can join Junior Zookeeper day camps. The park wants to make you excited about the animals and nature of the American Southwest.
Fun Events and Shows
Wildlife West has great places for events. There's an outdoor amphitheater for all kinds of weather. There's also an indoor "bean barn." The park hosts many concerts and music events on weekends. These often happen with other local events. Examples include the New Mexico Wind Festival and the Fall Harvest Festival.
You can see famous musicians perform here. New Mexico's favorite bands also play. During these events, you can even camp at the park! In the summer, Wildlife West has weekly Chuckwagon Suppers. These include live "old west" music. It's a fun way to enjoy a meal and some tunes!
Gallery
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Koshari, the black bear at Wildlife West, enjoys a tasty meal of fresh fruit and veggies.
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Festus, a turkey vulture, shows off his wide wings.
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Carrie, a coyote, takes a quiet moment to think.
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The park's pond is home to many birds, including those that live there all the time and those that visit during migration.
