Title
To Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The Wilds for 30 Years of Conservation, Education, and Inspiring Guests
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WHEREAS, The Wilds is one of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world and advances conservation through science, education, and an immersive visitor experience; and
WHEREAS, After an effort involving the Ohio Zoological Commission, the Ohio Departments of Natural Resources and Development, private sector partners, multiple zoos in Ohio, and former Columbus Zoo and Aquarium director “Jungle” Jack Hanna, the Wilds was formally incorporated as a non-profit under the name The International Center for Preservation of Wild Animals, Inc.” (ICPWA), in 1984; and
WHEREAS, The Wilds received a gift of approximately 9,154 acres of land in Muskingum County from Ohio Coal Company, a subsidiary of American Electric Power. The Wilds reclaimed this surface-mined land; and
WHEREAS, Przewalski’s Horse, which is the only truly wild horse, with its ancestors never having been domesticated, became the first species released into The Wilds’ pastures in 1992; and
WHEREAS, The Wilds opened for public tours in 1994 and has invested in visitor experience since through the Johnson Visitor Center; the Overlook Cafe and gift shop; The Lodge; the Lake Trail; Nomad Ridge; zipline tours, horseback tours, and fishing tours; and, most recently, the cabins at Straker Lake; and
WHEREAS, The Wilds has held accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1996; and
WHEREAS, The Wilds has created educational opportunities through its creation of the Robert W. Teater Conservation Education Camp in 2000 and began a partnership with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2001; and
WHEREAS, The Wilds was the first to produce Persian Onagers through artificial insemination in 2010; and
WHEREAS, The Wilds started a veterinary residency partnership with The Ohio State University and the Columbus Zoo in 2015; the Day Ventures School Day Prog...
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