Our Wildlife Safari – Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – B and D

While in Glenn Rose we decide to go visit Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. You can either go on one of their guided tours or drive you own car on the wildlife drive through the center. The center is 1,800 acres where most of the over 1000 animals roam freely in large pastures. The center works on conservation of species that are endangered or dwindling in population in the wild. Each car received a bag of pellets so you can toss some out the window to attract the animals to come in close. Let me assure you the animals are not shy about coming up and demanding food before you even toss some out the window. They will surround the car to keep you from moving until you have tossed out food.

You are not supposed to hand feed any of them except the giraffes even though as you will see from the pictures some of the others try to get food directly from inside the car. If you have kids I can highly recommend this as a good activity for them. The animals are up close where you can really see them. There is one area that is not accessible on the wildlife drive as it is an intensive management area for some of the more sensitive animals at the center. We did not get to go to this area as they have limited tours to this area and you have to have reservations in advance. It was a an interesting time and I would go back if back in the area.

Overview of the wildlife center

Rhino

Rhino

Ostrich

Ostrich coming in after Bruce

Close up of Ostrich feathers

Emu

Axis Deer

Zebra

Addax

Addax coming for a snack

Gemsbok

Fallow Deer coming over

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Dama Gazelle

This guy below stuck his head in on my side of the car and left a mess around the lock area. We also have an excellent nose print on the side of the car that will need to be washed off.

Fallow Deer looking in the car window

Fallow Deer checking out Bruce in the car

Fallow Deer up close

Fallow Deer putting his head in the car trying to get food

Follow Deer on my side the car

Follow Deer

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffe are used to being fed by hand and will stick their heads in the car if you don’t extend your hand outside. It is a very strange feeling to have them take the food from your hand, they use their lips so not too wet and nasty.

Girafe eating out of my hand

Giraffe sticking his head in the car for more food

The Aoudad are one of the more aggressive for wanting food. We pulled up and stopped some distance from them and they came running over. One came up beside Bruce and kept pushing at the side of the car, thankfully he did not butt it with his head as they have a big set of horns.