THE ROUTE HERE AS WELL. AT WILDLIFE WEST NATURE PARK, IT’S A PEREGRINE FALCON. THEY DO LIKE 240 MILES AN HOUR. THE WILD ISN’T SO FAR AWAY. WELL, THERE YOU GO, BEAR. MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS, FOX, RACCOONS WITH 25 ANIMAL SPECIES. VISITORS ARE SURE TO ENCOUNTER SOME NEW MEXICO ICONS. IN MOST CASES, YOU WILL SEE THEM UP CLOSE AND THEY ARE ALSO FRIENDLY. AND THAT’S GOOD. WE DON’T ALLOW ANY ANIMALS TO EAT CUSTOMERS, OF COURSE, BUT WHAT SETS THIS PLACE APART? CUSTOM HABITATS. THE ANIMALS HERE LIVE IN THE NATURAL AREA THAT THEY NORMALLY FOUND IN. ROGER AYLINK IS THE FOUNDER OF THE PARK. I LOVE THE OUTDOORS, I LOVE WILDLIFE, SO I JUST PUT TOGETHER ALL THOSE THINGS I CARE ABOUT AND COME UP WITH THE IDEA OF DOING A WILDLIFE PARK. BUT THE ANIMALS AREN’T JUST HERE FOR SHOW. THEY’RE EITHER INJURED OR ORPHANED OR ILLEGAL PETS. SO SOMEBODY FINDS AN ANIMAL AND THEN THE RESCUE AGENCY WILL CALL US AND SAY, WE HAVE A NON-RELEASABLE ANIMAL. DO YOU HAVE ROOM? ALL OF THESE ARE ANIMALS THAT NEED A HOME FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE. FROM BIRDS OF PREY TO NATIVE PREDATORS, EACH ANIMAL HAS A STORY. THIS EAGLE CAME ORIGINALLY FROM ALASKA. SHE’S SHOWING OFF RIGHT NOW. IT’S A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE. WE GET PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND THEY LOVE OUR PLACE BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO SEE WHAT’S NATIVE TO OUR AREA. AND IN THIS CENTENNIAL YEAR, IT’S A MUST SEE STOP FOR TRAVELERS ALONG THE MOTHER ROAD. ROUTE 66 IS A FAMOUS LEGEND. WE’RE JUST HAPPY TO BE A LITTLE PART OF IT. TURNING A SIMPLE ROADSIDE STOP IN
Wildlife West Nature Park near Route 66 offers close encounters with native animals
Wildlife West Nature Park near Route 66 offers visitors the chance to see New Mexico wildlife up close, with 25 animal species housed in custom habitats that reflect their natural environments. The park is home to bald eagles, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, and raccoons, among other species. “In most cases, you’ll see them up close,” Roger Alink said. “And they’re also friendly, and that’s good. We don’t allow any animals to eat customers, of course.” Roger Alink, the founder of Wildlife West Nature Park, shared his passion for creating the park. “I love the outdoors, I love wildlife,” he said. “So I just put together all those things I care about and came up with the idea of doing a wildlife park.” The animals at the park are rescues. “Well, they’re either injured, orphaned, or illegal pets,” Alink said. “So, somebody finds an animal, and then the rescue agency will call us and say, ‘We have a non-releasable animal. Do you have room?’ All of these are animals that need a home for the rest of their life.” Each animal has its own story. The park draws visitors from around the world.”They love our place because they like to see what’s native to our area,” Alink said.In this centennial year, Wildlife West Nature Park is a notable stop for travelers along Route 66. “Route 66 is a famous legend,” Alink said. “We’re just happy to be a little part of it.” Wildlife West Nature Park turns a roadside stop into a unique and wild experience for visitors.
Wildlife West Nature Park near Route 66 offers visitors the chance to see New Mexico wildlife up close, with 25 animal species housed in custom habitats that reflect their natural environments.
The park is home to bald eagles, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, and raccoons, among other species. “In most cases, you’ll see them up close,” Roger Alink said. “And they’re also friendly, and that’s good. We don’t allow any animals to eat customers, of course.”
Roger Alink, the founder of Wildlife West Nature Park, shared his passion for creating the park. “I love the outdoors, I love wildlife,” he said. “So I just put together all those things I care about and came up with the idea of doing a wildlife park.”
The animals at the park are rescues. “Well, they’re either injured, orphaned, or illegal pets,” Alink said. “So, somebody finds an animal, and then the rescue agency will call us and say, ‘We have a non-releasable animal. Do you have room?’ All of these are animals that need a home for the rest of their life.”
Each animal has its own story.
The park draws visitors from around the world.
“They love our place because they like to see what’s native to our area,” Alink said.
In this centennial year, Wildlife West Nature Park is a notable stop for travelers along Route 66. “Route 66 is a famous legend,” Alink said. “We’re just happy to be a little part of it.”
Wildlife West Nature Park turns a roadside stop into a unique and wild experience for visitors.
