It isn’t every day that we get to visit a place as mesmerizing as the Myrtle Beach Safari Zoo. I’ll admit, it is a place unlike any other I have ever been to. It might be called a zoo, but it isn’t one of those typical zoos where we gather to see caged animals. Doc Antle is not the kind of person who treats animals as “animals”.
The 50-acre wide preserve for the endangered and rare species is located in South Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA. It was founded by Doc Bhagavan Antle in 1983, and it has been helping in the preservation of wild animals ever since.
My Myrtle Beach Safari Experience
When I reached the huge gates made of bamboo, I knew I was going to step inside the borders of the predators. I wasn’t sure about it, because I had read articles about the famous Myrtle Beach Safari, where animals are not kept in cages. The thoughts about cheetahs, wolves, and tigers did give me goosebumps. But I didn’t travel all the way for nothing.
My confidence was shaken once again when I had to sign waivers which somehow meant that there’s always a risk because they are wild species. My fear grew, and so did my anticipation, but the latter was stronger.
Fear Turned to Fun
I’ll be honest – for an instance, I did want to discontinue my tour when the 11 feet tall Hercules stood right in front of me. He’s the largest cat in the world, and his enormous size would scare even the bravest of beings. But this liger is trained, and I regained my breath as I started getting used to him.
We weren’t allowed physical contact with any grown-up animals though. And that gave me comfort. I wouldn’t be comfortable at all, with a cheetah. But the elephant Bubbles was amazing; the only adult animal we were allowed to come in contact with.
I had tremendous fun throughout the tour, playing with the tiger and the wolf cubs at the Myrtle Beach Safari Zoo. I don’t know about others but I found the baby apes really cute and funny. I was awestruck at the sight of the large eagle, they call Ahren. It is magnificent to look at, and it’s shriek, alien.
I regret not having taken enough cash for the photos they’d have clicked for me. All my memories are inside my head, and I haven’t decided when I might make my second tour. But in any case, I relished every minute at Myrtle Beach.
Bhagavan Antle has made sure the entire compound is clean and its hygiene, maintained. The trainers know their job perfectly, and they spend all their efforts in ensuring the animals’ happiness. If you are an animal lover like me, you would want to pay this safari a visit. you’ll have the best experience of your life.