Emus and tigers and bears, oh my! 5 animal sanctuaries to visit at the Jersey Shore
Watching dolphins at sunrise on the beach is great, but what if you could see a tiger or wolf at the Shore?
Or a llama?
An alpaca?
A caiman? (What's a caiman? It's a bit like an alligator.)
With plenty of refuges, sanctuaries and farms in New Jersey, you can get to know the animal kingdom close to home.
Here's a look at five spots that provide homes for exotic creatures and furry friends.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Galloway
The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a variety of locations around New Jersey, including nearly 50,000 acres of coastal habitats in southern New Jersey.
The majority of the refuge consists of coastal salt marsh, stretching from Barnegat Bay in Brick to Reed Bay outside Atlantic City.
Saving animals: Wildlife experts meet in Long Branch, push 'most important' bill in 50 years
One prominent location in the Edwin B. Forsythe network of reserves is in Galloway, which boasts nature trails and an 8-mile drivable trail. There are observation towers along the way, where countless birds can be seen, including piping plovers, white-rumped sandpipers, seaside sparrows and more. (This lucky reporter once saw a bald eagle there.)
The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, but the visitor information center is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Entrance fees are $4 per private vehicle, $2 per walker or bicyclist.
Go: 723 Great Creek Road, Galloway; 609-652-1665, fws.gov/refuge/edwin-b-forsythe
Funny Farm Rescue and Sanctuary, Mays Landing
There may be plenty of animal sanctuaries in our state, but not many are home to an emu, llama and rooster.
There are more than 600 animals at Funny Farm Rescue and Sanctuary, and nearly all roam free on the property. Guests are encouraged to interact with the farm's residents; the only rules are not to feed them outside food (feed bags are available for $3) and to drive very slowly when entering and leaving the park.
The farm is home to horses, cats, dogs, chickens, sheep and many more, with visitor favorites like Lorenzo the Llama, who loves kisses, and Connor the emu, who was raised with dogs and will eat out of your hand.
The sanctuary hosts a visiting, anti-bullying program for schools to show kids that anyone, no matter who they are, can be friends.
"We explain to the kids that if all these different animals can get along, we can too as people," said Laurie Zaleski, the farm's president and founder.
All of the animals saved by the farm faced struggles, like neglect or improper ownership. But the timid creatures that once walked through the gates now welcome visitors.
"All these animals were scared to death of people, but they've been here long enough that they know they're in the best place," Zaleski said. "They love people and want attention. The live for visiting days."
The sanctuary, which is free, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Sundays. Visitors must sign and submit a waiver online before visiting.
Go: 6908 Railroad Blvd., Mays Landing; 609-742-9410, funnyfarmrescue.org
Howling Woods Farm, Jackson
Howling Woods Farm is a shelter that not only houses wolves and hybrid wolf-dogs, such as Takoda and Orion, but provides donation-based education opportunities to the public.
"If you're interested in learning about wolves, up close and personal, you should come to our farm to touch, take photos and howl with our animals during our interactive tours," said Michael Hodanish, president of Howling Woods Farm.
Tours are approximately one hour, and provide opportunities to interact with the dogs and take photos. Personal cameras are welcome.
Appointments are made via phone only. Interested visitors can call directly or fill out an online form to receive a call.
The farm asks for a minimum $30 donation per person 13 and older, and a minimum of $15 for those 10 to 12.
Go: 1371 West Veterans Highway, Jackson; 609-901-1387, howlingwoods.org
Out of Sight Alpacas, Waretown
A herd of 30 Huacaya alpacas live at Out of Sight Alpacas farm. Some have won awards at shows, such as the Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association Jubilee in Pennsylvania.
Owned by Kim and Herman Weigman, Out of Sight hosts a barnyard of animals that live alongside the alpacas.
"We are a small, family-run farm that not only breeds award-winning alpacas but has Kunkekune pigs, donkeys, emus, goats, giant rabbits, chickens and a zebu," owner Kim Weigman said. "We love every minute of it."
The farm began in 2010 with eight alpacas, which have grown into the family that grazes the farm today.
"We have fallen hard for these mystical creatures that produce wonderful, luxurious fleece, and we love the fact that no harm comes to them in order to reap the rewards of their fleece," she said. "We have invested in these animals and their wonderful gift to us because we believe they are the future of the natural fiber industry."
More local alpacas: Wall alpaca farm to get new neighbor: fields of soothing lavender
Registration is required for the farm's interactive educational tours, where visitors can pet the animals and feed treats to the alpacas. Visitors, who also may get a glimpse of farm cats who roam the grounds, can stop at the gift shop for fleece products such as yarn, hats and gloves.
Tours cost $10 per person, cash only (free for children 2 and younger).
Go: 416 Wells Mills Road in Waretown; call or text 609-384-1840, outofsightalpacas.com
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, Lacey
Popcorn Park was founded in 1977, when the Associated Humane Societies saved and treated a racoon that was caught in a leg-hold trap. After giving the animal a home because it could no longer survive on its own, the sanctuary became a haven for animals that were in bad situations, ill or dying.
There are now more than 200 inhabitants of the park.
"We have eight large cats, 10 primates, three bears, a cavy, a capybara, five equine, several sheep, goats, cows, llamas, (birds), tortoises and turtles, and other reptiles like iguanas and caimans," said park director John Bergman, who has been with Popcorn Park since the beginning. "Our most notable animals would be Kya, the blind white tiger; Seven, our draft horse; Eli and Jess, who are sibling Bengal tigers; and three baboon brothers."
Park mourns resident: Popcorn Park Zoo tiger Caesar, who had ties to Jackson's 'Tiger Lady,' has died
We're very fortunate to be able to do the things we have done here for the last 45 years," Bergman said. "We are lucky to have been able to be in the lives of these animals who faced so many unfortunate circumstances — and to watch them recover, blossom and live out their lives in peace, with all their needs met."
The park is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with the last admission at 4:15 p.m. The cost is $7, $4 for seniors, $4 for children 3 to 11, and free for kids 2 and younger.
Visitors cannot feed most of the animals, due to their special diets, but may feed popcorn and peanuts (available for purchase) to roaming birds or certain farm animals.
Go: 1 Humane Way in the Forked River section of Lacey; 609-693-1900, ahscares.org/popcorn-park
Even more: She left NYC ad world to create Upper Freehold animal sanctuary
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: New Jersey Shore animal sanctuaries, farms worth a visit
