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Experience Exotic Wildlife at Tiger World ~ TICKET GIVEAWAY

By Joanna Camero, Conover NC Mom & MacKid Guest Writer August 30, 2018


Located about an hour from Hickory and nestled off a main road in Rockwell, NC, you will find Tiger World.  I had never heard of the wildlife preserve before a friend mentioned it to me this summer, and I regret that it has taken me so long to discover this wonderful gem that's perfect for an educational day trip.

Tiger World was founded 10 years ago when a zoo that was at the current location was being shut down. There were about 150 animals that were going to have to be relocated but the owner of Tiger World stepped up to take in the animals and turned the former zoo into a sanctuary for wild and endangered species. Since then, the center has added animals rescued from individuals that acquire a wild animal as a pet for fun but soon realize as the animal grows that it is wild and dangerous and needs a more suitable habitat. Tiger World takes in these rescues and gives them a wonderful place to spend their lives.

Animals currently found at Tiger World include lions, tigers, ligers, panthers, jaguars, monkeys, bears, wallaby, wolves, birds of many varieties, reptiles, and more. The grounds include a nice playground, large picnic shelter, a boardwalk along the pond, and a gift shop stocked with all types of snacks, animal toys, and goodies to take home as souvenirs from your visit. All money from sales is put directly back into the care of the animals. The staff is very knowledgeable, friendly, and able to answer any questions you have. It is very evident that the animals are very well cared for and loved by the staff. It was amazing to see first hand the relationship several of the staff have with the animals.

Tiger World is open Monday-Sunday (closed Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) from 9am-5pm. Educational tours are given daily on weekdays at 10am and 2pm. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for children 2-17 and seniors over 62, FREE for children under the age of 2. Group and public service rates are available and various discounts are offered throughout the year (B1G1 free for Valentine's Day, Mom free admission on Mother's Day, Dad free admission on Father's Day, free admission with Christmas tree recycling in January, etc). Special experiences are available to enhance your visit, such as a "Carnivore Feed Safari Tour" or an “Encounter with a Sloth” where you can hold and help feed a baby sloth.

To get the most out of your visit, pack a picnic lunch and plan to arrive at 9am when the park opens so that you can watch the lions, tigers, and wolves be fed. Hearing the hungry and territorial noises from the big cats will not soon be forgotten by your children. (In the winter months the animals are fed at 2 pm.) Arriving early will also allow you to see the animals when they are most active, moving around in their habitats before they settle down to sleep through the heat of the day. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and a hat to help shade the sun on hot summer days.

My children and I immensely enjoyed our visit. If you are looking for a new place to explore and experience endangered wildlife while supporting conservation efforts, go visit Tiger World!

Tiger World is located at 4400 Cook Road in Rockwell, NC, 4 miles off I-85 exit 68. For more information, visit tigerworld.us or call 704-279-6363. Our writer was a guest of Tiger World and received complimentary admission for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed herein are 100% her own.

Enter to win one of TWO family passes to Tiger World! Click HERE to complete the entry form now! Two (2) winners will each receive a day pass for complimentary admission for four (4) for one (1) day. Contest ended Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 11:59pm.

Congrats to our winners: LeeAnn Carroll and Tracy Blanton.

   

Contest Rules: One entry per email address; email address provided must be a subscriber to our wonderful newsletter to be entered to win, otherwise it will be added. Duplicate entries via the entry form will be deleted.  Winners will be chosen randomly from all eligible entries/bonus entries by random.org by September 7, 2018 and will be notified by email to the address provided on the form, via Facebook or via phone. Winners will be announced on Facebook and/or on our website in the original giveaway article; by entering contest, entrants give permission to have their name used in such announcements. Winners will have 24hrs to claim their prize; failure to respond within the 24hr timeframe may result in win being forfeited and another winner being chosen. Odds of winning depend on total number of entries. No purchase necessary; you must be 18 or older and a Macaroni Kid Hickory/Western Piedmont newsletter subscriber to enter. Click HERE for complete sweepstakes rules.