Kalahari expands with safari park

HURON TOWNSHIP, Ohio - World-famous zoologist Jack Hanna of the Columbus Zoo was in Huron Township Thursday for the grand opening of Kalahari Resort's Safari Adventures Park.

Kalahari's 2-and-a-half acre walk-through park is aimed at providing an interactive experience animal encounters for resort guests. It's located on the south side of the resort.

Next to the Toledo and Cleveland zoos, Kalahari is also home to its own giraffe. The safari park showcases a collection of ostriches, zebras, African antelope, camels, Barbary sheep, kangaroos, African Pygmy goats, Jacob four-horned sheep, zebu cattle, African tortoises, and other exotic animals.

"These animals are ambassadors for their brothers and sisters in the wild and offer an amazing opportunity for people in the Midwest to experience African wildlife in a unique and interactive way," Hanna said, who is known for his many endeavors with wild animals.

The separate admission park is targeted as being educational and hands-on. Guests will be caged off but will see the animals roaming free through the section of the resort.  Guests will be able to touch and feed the creatures. Teachers will also be on hand to help facilitate the educational process.

Hanna added Kalahari's safari section is a great deal for families to come and have fun learning about animals.

"That's a pretty good deal to feed a giraffe, or you can go to Africa," he said. "I know it costs about $9,000 to get there, but you can feed a giraffe. So I think I'd do this instead."

Safari Adventures is open daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. All day admission for resort guests is $3 and for non-resort guests admission is $5. Children 2 and under are free.

(FOX Toledo's Michelle Zepeda contributed to this report)