What's Flora Without Fauna? By Ladan Cher

For those who feel the vast urban sprawl that is the Greater Los Angeles area to be more of a dense urban confine, the concept of the park is born. These oases of nature exist in various forms: from neighborhood parks conducive to PTA picnics to the future LA River Park conducive to marathon training. The tie that binds is, of course, the physical sanctity of nature within a metropolis.

However, for Angelenos who feel inclined to take the park experience one step further, there is an alternative park form that goes well beyond manicured lawns and swing-sets. That is, a type of park with an emphasis on the jungle rather than the jungle gym.

Welcome to the South Coast Wildlands, an animal compound complete with lions, tigers and bears (and monkeys and peacocks etc...). South Coast Wildlands has never been accused of being a typical park in any sense of the word. It is instead a place dedicated to protecting wildlife and providing safe (and professionally monitored) interaction between humans and their big cat counterparts; a park for our furry friends. This park is, in fact, more of a protective and comfortable home to a
wide array of exotic creatures. SC Wildlands even extends an intimate opportunity to its select visitors to roam the expansive grounds while looking into the eyes of great white tigers, lions, chimpanzees, bobcats and bears among other impressive species (all in separate cages, naturally).

What's more? A location close to home, just 30 minutes outside of LA.

Want to donate, inquire about volunteer opportunities or just learn more:
Visit www.scwildlands.org