I am saddened to hear about the closing of Steve Kroschel’s wildlife park. I went on the free tour he offered when he first opened, and until the last few years, I have taken every single one of my summer guests there for a very unique experience. Even my sister who hates zoos, loved it.
He succeeded in his goal of educating the public about wild creatures, their habits, and the need to protect the environment for them and for us. The tours were so impactful that I venture to guess he even changed a few lives in small or large ways.
I cannot speak to recent conditions at the park, but in all the years I visited, I never saw abuse or unhealthy animals. Quite the opposite. Steve’s love and connection with each animal was apparent, and his unusual ways of communicating with them were astounding. And most of them were rescue animals or born there.
My guests and I may never have another chance to pet a porcupine or fox, or to hold a baby lynx. And for all of us, especially those from the cities, something important has been lost.
Donna Catotti