It is hard to fight the urge to frolic outside when life gives you a fresh sprinkling of snow and a bunch of sunshine. When we were given this perfect recipe for outdoor winter fun, we decided to bundle up and head to Shubenacadie Wildlife Park to run wild with the animals.
The wildlife park was easy to find and we had no problem following the signs from the highway. We found it just off Highway 102 about 40 minutes from downtown Halifax. With plenty of parking and an inviting entrance to the park, we were welcomed by friendly staff and the promise of excitement. Strolling through the two-kilometre shaded pathways provided an open, yet intimate environment for viewing and talking to the animals. While we enjoyed observing each and every animal, there were certainly a few exchanges that left lasting impressions.
Did you know that a cougar has a deep, rumbling purr, and a meow as squeaky as a house cat? We were absolutely in love with this (seemingly) lovable guy. He was so sweet you could almost reach out and touch him. Of course, that would be a big no-no, not just because he is a wild animal and that would be crazy, but because touching and feeding the animals is strictly prohibited.
Another memorable moment for us was our up close and personal chat with a big friendly moose. We had time to contemplate life together for while before a pack of wolves began howling with a passing train in the distance. It’s hard to know which was more fascinating to our curious two-year-olds, the moose, the wolves, or the sound of the train.
While the most highly anticipated animal of the trip was the bear, we were only lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the brown bears snout. He was snuggled up in his house, likely settling into his winter hibernation. We will add him to our list of things we look forward to discovering during the warmer months, along with the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park’s night walks, Wetland Centre and other seasonal animals. Click here to see a quick video of our trip, in trails, and the adorable animals that welcomed us.
During the winter months, the park is open on weekends from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you are interested in learning more about pricing, season passes or operational hours throughout the year, check out the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park website.
One of the things that we love the most about this park is how they procure the animals. This is both a home for wildlife that cannot be released into the wild and a sanctuary for rehabilitation and healing. The beautiful part is that the public can help these animals through the park’s Sponsorship Program, which provides the opportunity for classes, individuals, groups or businesses to sponsor an animal for as little as $25. This small amount an help to make a big difference.
Shubenacadie Wildlife Park
Website: www.wildlifepark.novascotia.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShubenacadieWildlifePark
Email: WildLifePark@novascotia.ca
