September 15, 2020 3:30 a.m.

When recent fires threatened the WildCat Ridge Sanctuary in Scotts Mills, Wildlife Safari answered a call for help.

Park Carnivore Supervisor Sarah Roy said Wildlife Safari was able to take in a total of 14 animals, including five cougars, five tigers, two cheetahs, and two lions from the Scotts Mills Park, when it was in danger due to a nearby fire. Roy said Safari made a quick plan and utilized any open carnivore space they had throughout the park.

The animals and their keepers made the over 160-mile journey on Friday. Wildlife Safari is housing the animals while keepers from WIldCat Ridge take shifts to care for them.

Wildlife Safari Executive Director Dan Van Slyke said “This is the best thing we can do to help in this catastrophic time”

Some of the cats, including a white Bengal tiger, can be viewed daily on the lion or tiger encounters at Wildlife Safari.