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The Wilds Animal Park: An African Safari Experience in Ohio

Last updated: December 4, 2021 - Written by Jessica Norah 22 Comments

The Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in North America, set on about 10,000 acres of land in Southeast Ohio. The Wilds safari park is home to a number of rare and endangered animals from around the world, including cheetah, rhinos, camels, antelope, zebra, and giraffes, as well as a number of local native species.

Visitors can not only do regular bus safaris to see the animals, but The Wilds in Ohio also offers horseback safaris, fishing safaris, ziplining, a butterfly habitat, education programs, summer camps, and overnight lodging. This non-profit open-habitat safari park is a pretty amazing place given that this is reclaimed land which was strip mined for coal from the 1940’s to the 1980’s, which destroyed most of the natural wildlife and resources in this area.

If you are in Ohio, this is definitely a place to consider adding to your itinerary. We’ll give you all the information you need to plan a trip here and tell you about our own experience visiting The Wilds animal park.

Table of Contents:

Basic Information for Visiting The Wilds in Ohio

Here is all the info you need to start planning your trip to The Wilds in Ohio.

What is the Address of The Wilds?

14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio 43732

How to Get to The Wilds Ohio?

The Wilds is located outside the small town of Cumberland, Ohio and the best way to get here is by car. I could not find any public transportation options but you could of course book a taxi or Uber if needed.

It is approximately 75 miles (1.5 to 2 hour drive) from Columbus, OH, 20 miles (35 minute drive) from Zanesville, OH, and 140 miles (2.5 hours) from Cleveland, Ohio. You can find   directions online provided by The Wilds depending on your location. Note that there is a $6.00 parking fee to park at The Wilds unless you are a member.

When is the Best Time to Visit The Wilds?

The best time to visit The Wilds for most activities is from May through September. The Wilds is typically open for its regular visitor season daily from 10am to 4pm May through September and then weekends only in October.

Recently, The Wilds has also started the Winter at the Wilds Tour that allows for pre-registered guests to visit and tour The Wilds from November to March. While many of the regular tours are not available during the winter, the Winter at The Wilds tour is run twice a day. These are more intimate tours with up to 6 people.

What Safari Tours are Offered at The Wilds?

The most popular activities not surprisingly are the Wilds safari tours, and most people take one of the group safari tours that are led by knowledgeable guides. The main tours are given in an open-air bus with a canopy, and there are a couple of places the bus stops where you do a bit of walking.

Tours last approximately 2 hours, but I would allot at least 3 hours for your visit as you’ll need to get the shuttle to and from the parking area, may want to visit the butterfly habitat or other exhibits, and there are also places to shop and eat. 

If you interested in a more intimate experience, you can reserve a Wildside Tour and get a more exclusive safari experience with an Animal Management specialist amongst a smaller group (these are typically offered in an open-air pickup truck) and you get to see some of the daily happenings at The Wilds such as an animal medical procedure, help in feeding the animals, or an ongoing conservation project.

All of the tours at The Wilds take you through all the open-range enclosures where you’ll get to see many of the animals roaming in the fields as well as stops at Lake Trail and the Carnivore Center. You also have access to the Butterfly Habitat which you can explore at your leisure before or after the safari tours. On the weekends during the summer months, these tours are also offered at sunset and include a buffet dinner at the Overlook Café.

Check out The Wilds website for current tours and tour prices , with the open-air bus tours (May through October) currently set (as of October 2021) at $35.00 per person. Wildside Tours (and Winter at the Wilds tours) are currently priced at $137.50 per person for non-members.

Note that all tours must be booked online in advance prior to visiting.

Other Activities at The Wilds?

In addition to the main animal safari tours, there are a number of other visitor activities offered at The Wilds. You can easily spend a full day or a full weekend at the Wilds. These include fishing, horseback riding, sunset tours, and ziplining. The Wild Zipline Safari provides the opportunity to view parts of the large preserve and some of the wildlife from above across 10 different ziplines (a shorter version that includes only five ziplines is also available).

For those who live nearby or have more time for a visit, the Wilds also offers educational programs, WildeCamps, and Family Camp weekends during the summer months. They can also accommodate a wide range of events from corporate retreats to weddings to birthday parties.

The Wilds has also been recognized one of Ohio’s Most Important Birding Areas by Audubon. It is a good place to see a number of birds, including raptors, grassland nesting birds, and ospreys. The Wilds has made a birding station located at Jeffrey Point accessible to the public and it is open 24/7 for no charge. 

Accessibility at The Wilds

The visitor areas at The Wilds are generally accessible for those with reduced physical mobility and those in wheelchairs and meet ADA guidelines. There are tour buses and shuttles that can accommodate those in a wheelchair, and you can denote that you need a wheelchair space when you book your ticket.

Most of the tour is spent inside the bus but there are stops where participants can disembark to see the parakeet aviary (a short distance) and the carnivores’ enclosures (a slightly longer distance). 

As with most places, it is wise to call in advance to discuss any special accessibility needs before booking.

What Dining Options are there at the Wilds?

Food and snacks are available for purchase at the Safari Snack Depot, Terrace Grill, and Overlook Café. Note that many of these close during the winter months. Food available includes hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, chicken, ice cream, snacks, soda, coffee, and beer and wine. Evening safari programs during the summer often include a buffet dinner at the Overlook Café.

Can you Stay Overnight at The Wilds?

You can stay within The Wilds parkland or you can stay in a nearby town. The Wilds as you might imagine are in a very rural location but there are towns with lodging within 20 miles of the park.

Staying Overnight in The Wilds park

You have a few options if you want to stay overnight at The Wilds, including staying in a luxury yurt or a large family-friendly cabin.

The yurts are currently adults-only (21+) and are located within the park at Nomad Ridge and are built on large platforms with screen windows, bamboo floors, wooden doors, a private bathroom, and an observation deck for private wildlife viewing.

There are also several cabins that have been recently built around Straker Lake within The Wilds which provides another option. These can accommodate up to 6 persons and are perfect for families or small groups.

If you are coming with a big group or family, you might also consider The Lodge which is a large 6-bedroom cabin complete with a fully-equipped kitchen, bathrooms, television, Internet, washer and dryer, gas fireplace, outdoor fire ring, games, books, canoes, and fishing and boating equipment.

If you book a reservation in one of the yurts or The Lodge, you’ll receive discount pricing on many of the tours and activities offered at The Wilds. We did not stay in any of these lodging options, but we did see them while we were there and both options looked quite nice.  

NOTE: No pets are allowed on The Wilds property, including in any of the lodging, for obvious reasons. They may also not be left in your vehicle, so please be sure to leave your dogs at home. Service animals are of course welcome.

Staying Outside The Wilds

If you are looking for nearby lodging outside the park , you can find a range of options in the nearby cities of Caldwell, Cambridge, Zanesville, and Marietta. The closest lodging is in the town of Caldwell which has several motels and hotels. Some recommended properties are as follows:

• Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham , Caldwell – a 2* well-reviewed good value hotel offering en-suite rooms with inclusive continental breakfast. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. Free on-site parking. About a 25 minute drive from The Wilds.
• Best Western Caldwell Inn – This hotel offers a 24 hour front desk, indoor swimming pool, free Wifi, fitness center, and free breakfast. Note that the included breakfast is often served at the nearby family-owned diner (walking distance) Lori’s Restaurant. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. A 25 minute drive from The Wilds.
• Baymont by Wyndham , Cambridge – a 2* hotel offering en-suite rooms which also feature a microwave and free on-site parking. Breakfast is included. Just over 30 minutes drive to The Wilds.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites , Zanesville – found in downtown Zanesville, this 2* hotel offers rooms with coffee makers and refrigerators. Free parking is available, breakfast is included, and there’s an indoor hot tub. Offers wheelchair accessible rooms. Around 30 minutes drive from The Wilds.
• Comfort Suites , Marietta – conveniently located for the Interstate, this 3* hotel has an indoor heated pool and a fitness centre. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. It’s also pet friendly (fee applies). Free parking is available nearby, and rooms have microwaves and fridges. Around a 50 minute drive from The Wilds.

You can see more options and compare prices here . 

Need More Information to Plan Your Trip to The Wilds? 

The official  official website  for The Wilds is a very useful to find information or book tickets, but you can also call them at 740-638-5030 or check out their active Facebook page where you can see recent photos as well as potentially find a discount code or win a free visit.

If you want to explore the area around The Wilds more fully you check out other things to do nearby  around Zanesville, Ohio and wider tourism information for the state of Ohio . 

Our Experience Visiting The Wilds 

I grew up near The Wilds and it is by far the largest tourist attraction in our local area, but for some reason or another I had never visited while I was growing up. During college, I knew several people who did research practicums and internships here given the amazing educational and research opportunities that are available here to local students.

In fact, I went to the same college as Jack Hanna , a famous zookeeper and animal expert who has worked with and promote The Wilds. I guess it is one of those things where you look back and realize that you never visited many of the cool places in your own backyard after you have left.

So on a return visit to Ohio to see my family in winter 2014, I made sure that I had time to include a visit to The Wilds. It was definitely time I finally made it here!  After that winter 2014 visit, I returned again in the summer of 2017 to experience one of the open-air tours that was not offered when I visited in the winter in 2014. So I’ll break this down by The Wilds winter visit first and then a bit about the summer open-air safari experience.

Winter at The Wilds Tour Experience

I made a reservation in advance for the Winter at the Wilds tour which is the only tour that is regularly given during the winter months. Ethan and I visited in November 2014 and it was a cold day and so we were bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves for our visit. We arrived at the parking lot (there is a $6.00 parking fee) and we were met within a couple of minutes by someone from the park management team and then our guide who was a member of the animal management team.

The Winter at the Wilds tour is similar to the regular Wildside Tours given during the rest of the year. However, instead of an open-air vehicle, we were in an enclosed heated vehicle, but we were able to roll down the windows as needed to take photos so that was not a problem and we needed the heat! While you cannot get out of the car within the open animal enclosures, you’ll get to walk around in other areas  such as around the Carnivores Center and if you visit the barns during the winter. 

A Bit of Ecology & Conservation at the Wilds

Our first stop was actually not to see wildlife but to see a restoration project being conducted by the Wilds Restoration Ecology department. Friendly Rachael and Kelsey who were hard at work in the wetlands area, talked to us about conservation within the wetlands and they showed us a neat water system they use to monitor and maintain water in the wetlands area.

This is a good reminder that a visit to the Wilds does not just have to be about the animals, but there is almost 10,000 acres of land here and all kinds of ecosystems. Strip mining negatively impacted much of the land and streams in this area and it is amazing to see the revival that has come about because of the hard work by the folks at the Wilds. If you are interested in ecology, botany, water management, birding, insects, etc. let your guide know as there are many different types of environmental projects happening here at any given time!

The Big Cats and Dogs

The next major stop on the tour was to the Wilds’ Carnivore Center. Here you can get out of the car and walk around and see the animals from various viewing points. During our visit, there were painted dogs, dholes, and cheetahs.

Be careful to stay back if you get near the African painted dog enclosures as they are not friendly puppies! I had never seen a dhole before but I remember my friend in college talking about these while she worked at the Wilds. They are super cute canines that are native to Asia and look quite a bit like a fox.

Breeding programs and research at the Wilds is geared towards helping the survival and conservation of these threatened and endangered species. The Wilds has been successful with its cheetah program as the first cheetah cubs were born here in 2010!

The Open Range Animal Pastures

The rest of our visit focused on driving through the open range enclosures, which contain the vast majority of the animals at the Wilds. These include camels, bison, zebra, Southern white rhino, wild horses, ostrich, giraffes, and various types of deer and antelope. You are also likely to see some of the native species that roam around the Wilds such as local deer, birds, or coyote.

If there are certain animals that you are very interested in seeing or want to learn more about, just tell your guide so they can better allocate your time as there is a lot of open space. As animal management specialists who work with the animals, they can help give you the best chance to see the animals you want to see and also give you more time with them if they can. 

During any tour, since the animals live in large open enclosures you’re likely to see many of the species up close while others are likely to be hidden a bit in the trees or near the lake where you might not get an up close view. For instance, we only got distant views of the ostriches who preferred to hide themselves amongst some trees on the opposite end of the lake from us.

We got a good look at most of the animals and we were able to get within touching distance (no touching!) of several animals who largely ignored our vehicle. The Sichuan takin are interesting animals that I have never seen before and there were a lot of these critters along with a number of deer, horses, and antelopes. Some of the deer were losing their antlers or were in the process of doing so which occurs in the winter months. The type of camels at the Wilds are quite funny to watch as they are very curious and will get very close to the vehicle. When they walk, their two humps of fat flop around quite a bit on the older camels. 

Typically, visitors would have the opportunity to tour some of the winter facilities for the animals on a Winter at the Wilds tour to see animals that need to be kept inside on cold days such as the giraffes. But a white rhino baby had just been born a day or so before our visit and so we were unfortunately not able to visit the barns. The animal management team did not want anyone disturbing the new rhino calf and there had not been a press release yet about the new baby. Although this sadly meant we could not visit the animals that were in the winter housing and barns that day (rhinos, zebra, giraffes), it is a remarkable event as the calf was the first fifth generation white rhino born outside of Africa and is a testament to the breeding and conservation program at the Wilds.

Summer at the Wilds Open Air Safari Tour Experience

In the summer of 2017, I returned again to the Wilds with my husband Laurence. This time we did an open-air animal safari tour. These are the most common type of tour that people take on a visit to the Wilds and are typically available from May to September. The tour took two hours and was in an open-air bus.

It was definitely a different experience to visit on a hot summer day, and it was nice to not be all bundled up in a winter coat and gear. It was also nice to see the green grass, full trees, and local wildflowers.

In terms of the animal, we saw many of the same animals I had seen in 2014; however, we also got to see a few animals I had not been able to see on my winter visit such as the parakeets in the small aviary, the giraffes, the white rhinos (although at a distance), and the ostriches. We also got to see the tankins really up close as they were fighting, playing, and mating near our vehicle!

Overall Thoughts on Visiting the Wilds in Ohio

Overall, we had a fun time on both our safari tours at the Wilds. We learned a lot, saw lots of animals, and received a warm welcome from our knowledgeable guides and other staff. A great advantage to visiting in November was that we had the park to ourselves since there are relatively few visitors during the winter months. The only disappointment during that visit was not being able to see the giraffes or rhino, but we totally understood that the health of the newborn rhino calf took precedence over our visiting the animal barns!

During the summer tour, it was nice to see the Wilds all green and alive. It was also nice to see some of the animals like the giraffes and rhinos that I had missed on the previous winter tour. The open-air safari bus makes for a nice way to experience the park and see the animals, and reminded my a bit of my safari experience in Africa. Another good thing about the summer is that there are more food facilities open so you have more opportunities to get a snack or have a meal.

 Overall, I would definitely recommend a trip to the Wilds if you find yourself in this part of Ohio. Not only is it a great place to view wildlife, but the organization is a top-notch research and conservation facility committed to a number of good causes. For me, this was a great chance to visit a cool place that I had missed growing up in this area! 

Are there places near where you have lived that you never took time to visit and then regretted it once you left? Planning your own trip to the Wilds and have a question? As always, feel free to ask us questions about our visit to the Wilds in Ohio or share your own experiences in the Comments section below!

**Disclosure: Just so you know, we received complimentary tours at the Wilds as press. However, as always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our  Ethics Code  about how we work.**

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Emma Post author

June 10, 2023 at 7:01 am

Hello All. It is now 2023 and I am just now becoming aware that this place even exist, hopefully it still does. I am very interested in visiting there. Is the reservation still operating? I imagine Covid played an enormous role in why it seems the comments went silent. Also is the climate uninhabited by primates? I absolutely love the great Silverbacks and the chimps. Is this climate not suitable for them? Do you plan on ever having them?

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

June 14, 2023 at 7:50 am

Yes, The Wilds is alive and well, and you can certainly come and visit. COVID-19 certainly was not great for the park but all is now open and most of the services have returned to normal. The summer season tends to be the busiest and most popular time to visit as it is a nice time to do the open-top buses or the Wildside Jeep or truck rides.

I don’t personally work for The Wilds, I am just a travel writer but I did grow up near The Wilds and have visited several times now over the years.

So there are no primates such as chimpanzees or gorillas at The Wilds. The focus of The Wilds is mainly on conservation and research and most of the animals are ones that can live in open enclosures, basically fields, such as the rhinos, horses, camels, zebra, giraffes, ostrich, etc. Primates would require large enclosures/tress etc. and it would probably not be a great fit for them here. At The Wilds, they do have a couple of enclosures for predators (e.g., painted dogs, dholes, and cheetah), but most of the rest of the animals can roam fairly freely in the open fields. There is also a barn area to keep animals protected and warm in the winter as needed.

In terms of climate, I would say that Ohio is probably not a good fit in terms of the natural habitat for chimps or gorillas. We recently were in Uganda which has both mountain gorillas and chimps and the reclaimed coal fields in southeastern Ohio is a pretty different climate and habitat than most of the places you would naturally find these animals.

As far as I know, there are no plans to have primates but you can of course ask yourself if you visit for any plans and reasoning on their part! The Columbus Zoo, the sister organization to The Wilds, has several primates in its care, although I don’t believe they have any chimps.

Hope that helps and hope you are able to enjoy a visit to The Wilds soon!

Best, Jessica

Becky Malterer Post author

March 30, 2023 at 8:31 am

Have the animals ever attacked anyone?

March 30, 2023 at 9:36 am

As far as I know (I don’t work here), there have not been any serious injuries of visitors caused by an attack by an animal at The Wilds.

When you visit, you are in a bus or Jeep for most of the visit when in the areas where the animals live and roam. The carnivores are behind fences. So visitors are fairly well protected from the animals and most of the animals (e.g., giraffe, cattle, zebra, ostrich) here rarely attack humans anyway. However, they are still wild animals and of course visitors should always be careful and aware during their visit and follow all the staff instructions.

Hope that helps and hope you enjoy your time at The Wilds if you decide to visit!

Jack Alloway Post author

July 15, 2021 at 4:32 pm

I was down in about 10 or 12 years ago and it was a beautiful place and it sounds like you people have done a lot more with it I’m looking forward to coming back down and staying the weekend. Thank yo

July 16, 2021 at 4:01 am

Hope you get a chance to return to The Wilds. Yes, it has changed quite a bit from 12 years ago!

tom hamm Post author

February 29, 2020 at 3:37 pm

look like a great place to visit. Would like to make a trip there in the spring or summer of 2020.

March 1, 2020 at 4:31 am

Yes, Spring or early Summer is a great time to visit The Wilds. It is nice to go when it is warm out but not super hot.

Enjoy! Jessica

Kurstin Chandler Post author

January 6, 2020 at 1:47 pm

Hi, interested in visiting your place.

January 6, 2020 at 1:58 pm

Hi Kurstin, If you are interested in visiting The Wilds now, or between November and April, they are only open to the public for their Winter at the Wilds tours. These need to be booked at least 72 hours in advance of when you want to visit. So I’d go onto their website or give them a call to schedule one of those if of interest. You can find links and their phone number above in the post.

But if you are visiting in the Spring/Summer months, then there are more daily tour options that will be available and you don’t have to book in advance (although still a good idea if you know when you want to do the tour).

Terri Mitchell Post author

April 13, 2019 at 6:56 am

Thank you for your comprehensive review! Just caught the end of Jack Hanna’s wildlife safari insisting The Wilds. I found your site when I searched for info. Happily it sounds like this is a trip that all ages can enjoy and we can camp too! Thanks to your thorough review we’re planning our own visit to The Wilds this summer!!! Happy Travels

April 13, 2019 at 12:10 pm

Hi Terri, Glad you enjoyed our review of The Wilds, and do let us know if you have any questions about planning your trip to The Wilds. Yes, Jack Hanna was very much involved in the planning and conservation efforts at The Wilds (he is a former director of the zoo in Columbus Ohio) and has been a long time ambassador for the park 😉 Best, Jessica

Mark Staib Post author

March 28, 2019 at 2:50 pm

I have a scout troop ,and we are interested coming down and camping either there or near by. We will want to tour and zip line. We would be arriving July 21 and have all of the 22nd to do all of the above.Please let me know if this is do able and how much it would cost.

March 28, 2019 at 4:42 pm

Hi Mark, That sounds like a fun scout trip. You’ll need to call The Wilds directly to get pricing and to book the trip for your group, phone number is (740) 638-5030. Best of luck, Jessica

DONNA AZZ Post author

July 4, 2016 at 3:37 pm

Hi – we will be visit “the wilds” in two weeks and staying for 2 nights (July 19&20). Are there any suggestions you can give us to enhance our visit?

travelcats Post author

July 4, 2016 at 4:32 pm

Hi Donna, I am sure you will have a great time at The Wilds! The summer is a great time to visit as all the facilities will be open and the animals should be out and about.

I would reserve your tour in advance so you get the dates/times you want. The open-air safari tours are great in the summer and a good value, you can also consider a private encounter or a Wildside Tour if they are within your budget.

As many animals will seek shade and naps in the middle of a summer day, I’d recommend trying to be on the first tour of the day or the last as you may see more animals and also it may be less crowded.

Since you’ll be there for two nights, you have plenty of opportunity to see the full park and choose the time of your tour and also explore at a slow pace. If you are staying overnight in the park, be sure to ask what activities are going on during your stay. Often there are boating, fishing, swimming, ziplining, and horseback riding activities available.

If you are traveling with kids, it can be really fun to teach them about some of the animals and have them try to then spot them during your tour and from the observation deck of where you are staying. If you have a pair of binoculars, these can be fun to bring. I’d also recommend buying a few snacks/drinks to bring with you at a grocery store before getting here so you don’t have to rely on always eating at the park as it can add up.

Have a great trip and feel free to come back and comment about your visit to The Wilds!

AwesomelyOZ Post author

August 3, 2015 at 3:36 pm

That’s so awesome! I love the photos of all the animals, esp the camels 🙂 That was a big boy! Looks like a great safari experience 🙂 Thanks for sharing and have a great one Jessica! -Iva

August 14, 2015 at 6:18 pm

Hi Iva, I think that may actually be a big girl:) It was a fun experience, it was not quite Africa but it is as close as you can get in Southeast Ohio and a great place to visit!

Seana Turner Post author

July 25, 2015 at 1:05 pm

You know, this is why I follow bloggers. I’ve been in that part of the country many times and had no idea this even existed. What a fun place! I think I’d rather roam around on a warm day, but I’ll bookmark it for the next time I’m driving though Ohio!

July 26, 2015 at 7:57 pm

Hi Seana, yes the Wilds is a great place to visit the next time you are in Ohio. It is a bit out of the way but a great place to spend an afternoon!

Mar Ward Post author

July 25, 2015 at 6:26 am

When I worked at the Zoo in Alaska, Jack Hanna was a guest speaker at our yearly fundraiser and talked about the Wilds. Ever since I had wanted to visit. Thanks for sharing your experience and some great photos.

July 26, 2015 at 6:57 pm

Hi Mar! Yes, I almost mentioned Jack Hanna in the post. I went to the same college as an undergrad that both he and his wife graduated from and the Wilds is located only about 20 minutes away. He was director of the Columbus Zoo in Ohio for many years and the Wilds now has a close partnership with that zoo. Jack Hanna has visited the Wilds many times and helped promote it. If you are in the Midwest, you should definitely plan a visit as I think it is still the largest wildlife conservation center in North America.

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African Safari Wildlife Park

Admission to African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton ranges from $20 – 35/person.

• When: Open Friday thru Monday from 10am-5pm (last car admitted at 4pm).
• Location: ( Map It ) 267 S Lightner Road in Port Clinton, Ohio
• Phone: 800-521-2660
• Web: Click here

The African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio, offers a day of fun, education, and entertainment. It is home to over 400 of the world’s most beautiful and exotic animals. Make sure to bring a camera. View and feed the animals from the comfort of your vehicle. The 100-acre preserve is something you don’t want to miss. Pay-one-price admission includes the drive-thru safari and safari junction walk-thru. Kids won’t want to leave; there is so much to do! Also, enjoy Camel Rides, Animal Shows, and Pig Races.

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• (1.11 km) Casa Las Palmas
• (0.88 km) The 'Que Barbecue & Brew
• (0.58 km) Hong Kong
• (1.51 km) Liberty Aviation Museum
• (0.75 km) Island Adventures Family Fun Center
• (0.89 km) Cheese Haven
• (1.05 km) Ottawa County Visitor's Bureau
• (0.97 km) Bodi N Balance

Adventure Awaits At This Drive-Thru Safari Park In Ohio

A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.

More by this Author

Do you ever dream of interacting with exotic animals from around the globe? Here in Ohio, the answer may be closer than you think! The African Safari Drive & Walk-Through Wildlife Park is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows visitors to experience some of the world’s most remarkable creatures. Whether you’re hoping to marvel at the height of a real-live giraffe or help feed a bison, you’ll find that there’s nothing quite like this wonderfully wild Ohio destination. Here’s everything you can look forward to when you visit this incredible drive-thru safari park in Ohio.

Please note : The African Safari Drive-Thru park is open seasonally. Be sure to visit the website for the most up-to-date information.

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What are your thoughts on this amazing drive-thru safari in Ohio? Would you plan a trip to meet the animals here? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! For more information, be sure to check out the African Safari Wildlife Park online . You can also follow the African Safari Wildlife Park on Facebook for exciting updates and more details.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Drive Thru African Safari Wildlife Park in Ohio

• Posted By Katy Mann

Add To My Planner 11

Our family went on an adventure that I wholeheartedly recommend to every family looking for a memorable experience. We set our sights on Port Clinton, Ohio near Sandusky. After a five-hour road trip from Indy , we arrived at our destination: the African Safari Wildlife Park. Given the length of the drive, I suggest making this more than a day trip. Stay overnight and explore the area’s offerings, from its beaches to ferry boats and the excitement of Cedar Point!

Our time on the beach was delightful, but the highlight of our journey was undoubtedly the Safari. Our little one was surprisingly calm, a stark contrast to my reactions! Imagine the thrill of having an animal approach your car, stick its face inside, sneeze on you, and then gently take a carrot from your hand. At one point, while I turned to speak to my husband, I was greeted by the snorting breath of a creature right in my ear through the open car window! The reactions from everyone in the car were priceless.

Planning Your Visit

Before you go, it’s worth noting that the rates and schedules vary throughout the year. African Safari Wildlife Park is a seasonal park and operates from Spring through Fall. Admission for ages 7 and up is generally less than $20, while it’s less for ages 4-6, and kids under 4 are free. Always check their website for the latest deals and coupons. We found a coupon that allowed our car, holding up to 6 people, entrance for less than $40 in the spring.

Admission generously includes unlimited drive-thru or walk-thru access. There are other animal encounters available during certain times. I highly recommend purchasing additional animal feed, as it enhances the experience. For human visitors, the park provides several dining options but you are welcome to bring your food.

The Safari Experience

The drive-through safari is the park’s crown jewel, allowing you to meet over 50 species of animals, including giraffes, zebras, and alpacas, from the comfort of your vehicle. This immersive journey offers a unique opportunity to feed the animals directly from your car, using specially formulated food pellets provided by the park to ensure their well-being.

Educational Opportunities

Beyond the excitement, the park is deeply committed to education and conservation. It offers educational programs and exhibits designed to inform visitors about animal habits, habitats, and the challenges they face. The walk-through area allows for more intimate encounters with animals, including petting zoos and live demonstrations, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.

Conservation Efforts

The park’s conservation initiatives are an integral part of its mission, with partnerships worldwide to protect endangered species. Visitors can learn about these efforts and how they can contribute to global conservation, emphasizing the role each of us plays in preserving biodiversity.

Visitor Experience

The park caters to all ages, making it an ideal family destination. With amenities such as picnic areas, gift shops, and dining options, the park ensures a comfortable and enjoyable day out. Throughout the year, it hosts special events and seasonal activities, adding extra excitement to your visit.

As a mother, watching the wonder in my children’s eyes as they interacted with the animals was priceless. It was a reminder of the beauty and diversity of our planet and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

So, if you’re looking for an experience that combines fun, education, and conservation, pack your bags, and head to the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio. It’s an adventure that you and your family will never forget, and it’s completely worth the drive!

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African Safari Wildlife Park – Feed Animals from your Car

Last Updated: 3/16/2021

The African Safari Wildlife Park is a 100-acre preserve, and is home to more than 400 animals. During the drive-thru safari, visitors have the opportunity to feed animals from their car and enjoy also offers daily Educational Animal Shows, Pig Races, and Camel Rides.

Family Fun at African Safari Wildlife Park

Visiting is such an amazing experience because you get an opportunity to see and feed exotic animals such as Bison, Camels, Elk, Fallow Deer, Giraffes, Zebras and more.  The animals literately walk right up to your vehicle and you can feed them out of your  car windows.

We've been to the park twice and the kids just love seeing the animals up close.  The giraffes are our favorite animals to feed and the kids set aside carrots especially for them.  It was pretty amazing to watch them through our windows and sunroof!

Plan to have a full day of fun because there are so many things to do at the park.  Enjoy the large area you can Walk-Thru to observe animals, watch pig races, catch an educational animal show, ride a camel (kids under 100lbs) play in the Jungle Junction Playground and more.  In addition, you'll want to take advantage of the fact that you can go through the Drive-Thru as many times as you like!

The African Safari Wildlife Park 267 S Lightner Rd., Port Clinton Ohio 43452 419-732-3606

Hours: Open seasonally March 1- December 1.

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MEET THE WILD FROM YOUR CAR OR WAGON.

View over 50 species of animals...all from the comfort of your own vehicle! You'll be able to see animals roam freely on our gorgeous property  Drive your vehicle on our maintained gravel road and see the animals through your windows! See everything from Auodad to Zebra and lots in between!  

Drive-Thru Safari Park .

Visit anytime between  9:30 AM and 4:00 PM,  7 days a week. No reservations necessary!

*Pricing above is subject to change.

*Feed IS NOT included, subject to an additional charge.

Adults - $23.00 Seniors (65+) - $20.00 Children (3-12) - $17.00 Ages 2 and under - FREE

Our Pricing .

Experience the self-guided Drive Thru Safari in your personal vehicle and see over 50 different species!  

DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE SAFARI!

OPEN AIR VEHICLES are NOT allowed.  Vehicles must have tops and solid doors to participate in the safari.

Guided Wagon .

Experience the guided Drive Thru Safari on wagon and see over 50 different species!  Go off the path and get up close and personal with the animals! Reservations highly suggested!

Adults - $37.00 Seniors (65+) - $34.00 Children (3-12) - $31.00 Ages 2 and under - FREE

Available seasonally from Mid-March-October 1 Hour Experience 9:30, 10:45, 12:00, 1:45, 3:00- peak season 10:00, 12:00, 2:00- non-peak season

+SAFARI FEED: INCLUDED

*Safari Feed IS included!

Also Included .

ROOS & CREW

​ Don't miss the variety of small animals at our Roos and Crew Barn.  View our animals in an intimate setting and learn all about their personalities. 

Complete with a variety of small animals, kangaroos, and our iguana it is sure to be a memorable experience!

Save Time .

Save Time by clicking the link below and completing your waiver prior to arrival!

Important Info .

ALL car occupants must purchase a full price ticket.  All safari park purchases are non-refundable!

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4229 US-150 W, Paoli, IN 47454

[email protected]     //  812-936-4484

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African Safari Wildlife Park

Located not far from the shores of Lake Erie is the African Safari Wildlife Park, which is a featured drive-thru safari type park that features animals that will come up to your car. There are no dangerous (man-eaters) in the park, but there are quite a few animals with long tongues that might give your vehicle a good slobbering though! Tickets are purchased by the carload and each car is given a plastic cup with food. No food is allowed to be brought in. Visitors are given instructions on how to hold the cup so the animals can feed.

The park is divided into 3 areas: the drive-thru section where you can see plenty of 4-legged creatures, all of which you're given the opportunity of feeding from your car with a cup of food provided with your admission (additional food is available for an extra charge). Some of the animals are considered "Endangered Species" but for the most part, they are not, especially on the drive-thru section.

The other main section is a small zoo with a comfortable path that meanders in and around the cages. Included in this area are several animal opportunities where children can take a ride. There is also an interesting educational program where several animals are presented in an informative way and the kids can pet.

The other part of the park is more suited to a county fair and that is the pig races. Although they are entertaining and drew a large crowd, it seemed entirely out of place for an African Safari Wildlife park. Even so, it was fun to watch the kids cheer on for their assigned swine.

The park includes the usual gift shop plus cafe serving fast-food items, plus a good tasting ice cream parlor with plenty of outdoor seating for casual dining under the trees.

Location and admission

It must be remembered that you will be driving your vehicle through an area where there are some very large animals coming in close contact with you and your expensive vehicle. You are responsible for personal injuries or vehicle damage. Visitors are reminded that they are entering the area at their own risk.

During peak tourist times, lines can be long and travel through the park can be extremely slow and frustrating.

Prices vary with the number of people inside the vehicle. Some special admission rates include all the occupants. Discounts are published online and in various publications. Even without these coupons, zoo memberships and other organizations (i.e. AAA) will also earn you a steep discount.

The park is located just east of Port Clinton and about 20 minutes west of Cedar Point.

419-732-3606 / toll free 800-421-2660  

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Drunk driver crashes car, claims witness was driving: Mayfield Heights Police Blotter

• Updated: Apr. 22, 2024, 8:29 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 22, 2024, 7:45 p.m.

• Andy Attina / cleveland.com

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio

Impaired driving: Mayfield Road

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Get ready for June's North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby with Builder's Day in late April

The North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby returns for its 86th year of racing and family fun in downtown Mansfield.

This year's Soap Box Derby is scheduled for June 22 at 9:30 a.m. Racers will drive their cars on North Main Street between Fourth and Sixth streets. June 23 is the rain date.

The soap box derby is open to children between 7 and 18 who live in Richland, Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion and Morrow counties.

The event offers two divisions: a stock division for racers 7 to 13 and a super stock division for racers 9 to 18. Winners of each division will race July 20 at the First Energy All American Soap Box Derby in Akron .

2023: North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby races into downtown

Russ, Ruth Kinsey have volunteered for more than four decades

This is Mansfeld resident Ruth Kinsey's 49th year helping to organize the derby. The race has taken place at that location since 1993. Her husband, Russ Kinsey, has volunteered even longer, she said.

Builder's Day set for April 27-28 at Richland County Fairgrounds

Ahead of race day, new racers can build their cars and racers from previous years can update their cars on Builder's Day April 27-28 at the Richland County Fairgrounds.

Look for derby signs when you arrive at the fairgrounds. Lunch will be provided. Both days will be noon to 4:30 p.m.

If your last name begins with M-Z, your Builder's Day will be April 27. If your last name begins with A-L, your builder's Day will be April 28, according to Ruth Kinsey. Participants will work on their own cars. Any racer is invited and encouraged to attend to make any necessary updates so they will be ready for inspection. There will be knowledgeable derby people on hand to assist racers.

Deadline to order a car kit is Sunday

Deadline to order a car for the 2024 race is Sunday. Call Ruth Kinsey at 419-564-3304. She said the sponsor fee is due by this date in order for the North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby Association to order the kit or parts and have them available for the participants on Builder's Day.

The 2024 rule book and plans are available at www.soapboxderby.org . Sponsors are Skipper Buds and Meyer Bait of the Port Clinton area.

[email protected]

419-521-7223

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Cleveland to pay $4.8M to family of teen killed by stolen car during police chase

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland will pay $4.8 million to the family of a 13-year-old girl killed when a stolen car driven by a teenage carjacker jumped a curb during a police pursuit and struck her.

The settlement attorneys for the family announced Monday is one of the largest in Ohio involving a police chase. Sarah Johnson, a city spokesperson, said the decision to settle this case was “an extremely difficult one,” noting the circumstances involved.

“The City had to consider all relevant factors prior to this outcome, including a potential trial and additional costs, but we want to be clear that there are no winners or losers in a case as tragic as this one,” Johnson said, “and — while it is easy to point fingers one way or another — the fact remains that if the armed carjacker never committed that crime then Tamia would still be here with us today.”

Tamia Chappman was killed in December 2019 when a car driven by a 15-year-old boy struck her as she walked from school to a library in East Cleveland. The driver of the stolen car was charged as an adult and is now serving a prison term.

The carjacking had occurred roughly 15 miles (25 kilometers) away in Cleveland. The police pursuit began after an off-duty Cleveland officer witnessed the carjacking and followed the vehicle, authorities said.

Chappman’s family had filed a wrongful death suit in 2020 that named 22 Cleveland police officers who their attorneys said were involved in the pursuit.

“I’ll never get over it,” Sherrie Chappman, Tamia’s mother, said about her daughter’s death during a news conference Monday. “I miss my daughter. We will never get her back. I don’t want anyone’s kids to get hurt. Stop the chases!”

What we know about the shooting of an Uber driver in Ohio and the scam surrounding it

It was a common scam that ended with an uncommon outcome, tragically in an Ohio driveway.

William J. Brock fatally shot an Uber driver because he wrongly assumed she was part of a scheme to extract $12,000 in supposed bond money for a relative, authorities said this week. Lo-Letha Hall was a victim of the same con, summoned by the grifters to Brock’s house to retrieve a purported package for delivery.

Brock later told investigators he believed Hall arrived to get the money the scammers wanted.

He is now facing murder charges, to which he’s pleaded not guilty. Hall’s family is grieving. And Uber is helping investigators to try to catch whoever was behind the attempted swindle.

The grift is commonly known as a grandparent scam or fraud, exploiting older people’s love for their family, experts say. Callers claim to be anyone from grandchildren to police, telling victims something terrible happened and that their younger relative needs money.

Here’s what we know about the shooting and the investigation so far:

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED?

Brock, 81, received scam calls the morning of March 25 at his home in South Charleston, a town of about 1,800 people between Dayton and Columbus. The calls regarded an incarcerated relative and “turned to threats and a demand for money,” according to a statement from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

While Brock was on the phone, Hall got a request through the Uber app to pick up a package from Brock’s house for delivery, the sheriff’s office said. Hall, 61, of Columbus, was unaware of the attempted scam.

“Upon being contacted by Ms. Hall, Mr. Brock produced a gun and held her at gunpoint, making demands for identities of the subjects he had spoken with on the phone,” the sheriff’s office said.

Hall was unarmed and never threatened Brock or made any demands of him, the sheriff’s office said.

Brock took Hall’s cellphone and refused to let her leave, the sheriff’s office said. When she tried to get back into her car, Brock shot her. He shot her a second time and a third time during subsequent scuffles.

Brock then called 911 to report he shot someone on his property who was trying to rob him.

Police body camera footage shows him briefly discussing what he said had happened.

“I’m sure glad to see you guys out here because I’ve been on this phone for a couple hours with this guy trying to say to me I had a nephew in jail and had a wreck in Charleston and just kept hanging on and needing bond money,” Brock said. “And this woman was supposed to get it.”

The footage shows investigators discussing $12,000 sitting on a table in Brock’s house.

The footage also shows a Clark County Sheriff’s Office detective in Brock’s house talking on the phone with a man who was talking to Brock earlier. He identified himself as an officer and told the detective, “You’re going to be in trouble.”

When the detective identified herself as an actual police officer, the phone disconnected. During a subsequent phone call with the man, the detective told him the Uber driver was in a serious accident, in the hospital and “not doing well.”

The man told the detective he’d be there in 20 minutes. He was not.

Brock was indicted on Monday of charges of murder, assault and kidnapping. He posted $200,000 bail and was released from the Clark County Jail on Wednesday. His attorney, Paul Kavanagh, did not immediately return an email seeking comment on Friday.

HOW COMMON ARE THESE SCAMS?

Grandparent scams have become increasingly common in the last 10 to 15 years — in part because of the abundance of personal information available about people online, said Anthony Pratkanis, an emeritus psychology professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Criminals retrieve specific details about someone’s relative on social media and use the information to convince victims that their loved one is in trouble, said Pratkanis, whose research includes fraud crimes.

“Basically what the criminal is doing is taking advantage of our human nature,” he said. “You’re in a panic state, high emotional arousal. It’s a fear appeal. And the best way to get rid of that fear is to give the criminal that money.”

Fraudsters typically prefer financial transactions that don’t require physical proximity, such as wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency, Pratkanis said. This case is unusual because the scammers deployed Hall as an unsuspecting money mule.

“Most people in today’s kind of scams don’t really have interactions with the criminal — there’s a distance,” Pratkanis said. “But when there isn’t, there’s an opportunity for the anger of being victimized to cause the victim to take action.”

Uber said Wednesday that it was helping investigators look into an account that sent Hall to Brock’s home. The ride-hailing company described Hall’s death as “a horrific tragedy.”

'A BOND LIKE NO OTHER'

An obituary for Hall described her as the parent of a son and a stepson, a devoted member of her church and a talented cook known for delicious pound cakes.

She retired from Ohio’s Regional Income Tax Agency and also worked in behavioral health, at a school and for Uber. She studied horticulture at Ohio State and started a janitorial business.

At a memorial service that was streamed online , her son Mario Hall spoke of how close they were even though they lived in different states, often speaking on the phone multiple times a day. He said they “had a bond like no other.”

“Thank you for all your sacrifices and all the things you have instilled in me,” he said. “You are the best mom that anyone could ask for. And I promise to continue to make you proud.”

Howell car wash worker dug through muddy trash to rescue customer's wedding band from doom

Three-minute read.

On a Saturday in late March, Darryl Watkins took his car to 33 East Car Wash in Howell. As he vacuumed the interior, he took off his diamond-studded wedding band — to avoid it getting scuffed — and placed it into the center console.

Or so he thought.

Sometime later Watkins, who doesn’t wear the ring every day, realized it was missing.

“I thought, ‘Oh my God, I must have vacuumed it up,’” the 55-year-old Howell resident said.

What happened next is a reminder that, in a society seemingly awash with bad news, there are plenty of good people out there.

How you helped out: Generous APP reader, business give paralyzed Neptune mom a way out of the house

Digging through the trash

To mark Watkins’ 10th wedding anniversary, his band was upgraded last year at a cost of $4,600, but it wasn’t insured because he hadn’t gotten it appraised. He reached out to the car wash at the earliest opportunity — rain had shut it down for a couple of days — and was told by an employee that it was probably too late; the vacuums were emptied regularly.  

After racking his brain and searching his house and car some more, Watkins returned to the car wash. Now two weeks had passed. He told his story to employee Willie Evans, who informed him that actually, the vacuums were emptied every few weeks — there was a fair chance his ring was still in there. But Evans didn’t have immediate access to the key that could open them up.

“Leave me your name and number and if it’s in there, I’ll make sure you get your ring back,” Evans said.

So Watkins left, cautiously hopeful.

'Quaking in my boots': Attack leaves Keyport woman's guide dog unable to help her

“About an hour later Willie called me and said, ‘I’ve got your ring,’” Watkins said.

It wasn’t exactly easy to find.

“You had to dig through the trash and dirt, and since it had been raining, everything was muddy, but there was his ring,” Evans said. “I took it into the office and cleaned it up.”

This wasn’t the first time Evans dug through the trash at a customer’s behest. It was, however, the first time he’d retrieved jewelry from it.

“We do get some people who think they have vacuumed up something valuable and we’ll check, but we don’t find anything,” he said. “They think they vacuumed it up, but then they’ll find it somewhere else.”

'Someone gets me': Gym owner raises money for Belmar woman who needs new prosthetic leg

A show of appreciation

Needless to say, Watkins was grateful. But he wanted to do more than say thanks.

“Willie could easily have said, ‘Nah, I didn’t find it, and then pawned the ring,’ or he didn’t have to take the time to look for it.” Watkins said. “So it showed honesty and integrity. I gave him a little something for helping me out, just to show my appreciation.”

Then he called Evans’ boss, 33 East Car Wash general manager Alex Torres, to tell him about it.

“For him to call me and thank me, I thought that was very nice,” Torres said. “You always hear the negative; you never hear the positive.”

The 58-year-old Evans, a Freehold Township resident who’s worked at the car wash for two years, is “a very nice guy, very respectful,” Torres said.

When Watkins showed up to get the ring, Evans told him, “Hey, my mom taught me that if something don’t belong to you, you don’t take it.”

Howell farmers: We need to host events to stay alive, but township is squashing us

That’s how Watkins was raised, too, but he knows not everyone adheres to that credo. So as a final measure of appreciation he contacted the Asbury Park Press to spread the word.

“It should be recognized,” Watkins said. “You read about a ton of negative things, and this is a feel-good story.”

You can bet Watkins will return to 33 East Car Wash — with a big greeting for his newfound friend.

“I’m just glad I was able to help him out,” Evans said. “I’m happy he got his ring back.”

Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore’s interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at [email protected].

Toledo woman arrested after using car to hit another vehicle, 2 hospitalized officials say

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - A Toledo woman was arrested after allegedly using her vehicle to hit another person’s car several times.

According to court records, Chloe Brown, 22, appeared in court on April 22 where she was charged with two counts of Felonious Assault Victim Seriously Harmed, a second-degree felony, and one count of Felonious Assault Weapon or Ordinance, a second-degree felony.

Brown’s bond was set at a total of $75,000, $25,000 per charge. She is scheduled to appear back in court on April 26 at 9 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

Toledo Police say on March 30, Brown reportedly used her vehicle to hit another persons car several times causing it to flip over the median and hit another vehicle. Officials say that Brown was arrested on a warrant on April 19.

According to officers, the driver of the car was knocked unconscious during the crash, with injuries that required a several day hospital stay. Officials say the passenger of the vehicle sustained a leg injury that also required a several day hospital stay.

The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash sustained a wrist injury.

Officials say that Brown is currently being held in the Lucas County Jail.

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Ohio State Buckeyes Commit Tavien St. Clair Earns Elite 11 Finals Invite

Ohio State Buckeyes QB commit Tavien St. Clair is heading to the Elite 11 Finals.

• Author: Matt Galatzan

In this story:

The Ohio State Buckeyes have another special gunslinger on the way, and on Sunday, he earned another accolade.

Fresh off of an elite performance at the Elite 11 Regional in Columbus, five-star Ohio State quarterback commit Tavien St. Clair was awarded an invite to the Elite 11 Finals this summer , where he will compete against the other top passers in the country.

“It’s a great opportunity,” St. Clair said Sunday “My family and I have talked about this moment for a very long time. Being able to come out here and do what I said I wanted to do and do the things I was striving to be, it’s going to be a high point in my life for a long time.” 

Bellefontaine's Tavien St. Clair throws to the outside against Granville in the Division III, Region

Michael Lehmkuhle/The Advocate / USA

Joining St. Clair in Los Angeles for the finals will be Texas A&M commit Husan Longstreet, Notre Dame commit Deuve Knight, SMU commit Keelon Russell, Texas commit K.J. Lacey, Oklahoma commit Kevin Sperry and Florida State pledge Tramell Jones, with more set to be invited later as regionals continue.

St. Clair ranked as a five-star recruit, the No. 13 player nationally, No. 4 QB, and No. 1 player in Ohio, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also ranked the No. six player nationally, No. 2 QB, and No. 1 player in the state by 247Sports. choosing the Buckeyes over over Alabama, Michigan, LSU, Penn State, and Tennessee among others in June of last year.

The Bellefontaine High School product completed 70.7 percent of his passes for 2,453 yards, 24 touchdowns, and four interceptions in his sophomore season.

In his junior campaign this past season he was even better, completing 233 of 330 passes for 3,983 yards and 37 touchowns with six interceptions, also rushing 36 times for 352 yards and four scores.

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Officer who won Rookie of the Year award dies in car crash

PRINCETON, Texas (Gray News) – A Texas police officer who received numerous accolades including Rookie of the Year died in a car crash over the weekend.

The Princeton Police Department said Officer Nancy Dominguez was involved in an off-duty car accident Saturday evening and died at the hospital.

The department said Dominguez began her career with Princeton police in July 2022.

She received the Rookie of the Year award in 2022 and 2023, as well as the 2023 Citizen Commendation Award, the 2023 Life Saving Award, multiple Letters of Commendations from the department, and multiple RISE Awards.

Princeton police described Dominguez as “a dedicated public servant and cherished member of the Princeton community.”

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