- Attraction: Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary
- Location: 712 L G Griffin Rd, Locust Grove, GA 30248
- Industry: Animal Sanctuary
- Website: https://noahs-ark.org/
When you think of unforgettable wildlife encounters, Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary offers something truly extraordinary: a place where rescued tigers, bears, and lions coexist in harmony while hundreds of other animals find their forever homes.
Founded by Jama and Charles Hedgecoth in 1978, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit sanctuary spans 121 acres in Locust Grove, Georgia and houses over 170 animals representing more than 100 different species.
The sanctuary gained worldwide fame for housing the BLT trio – Baloo the bear, Leo the lion, and Shere Khan the tiger – who lived together as bonded brothers for nearly two decades after being rescued as cubs from a drug dealer’s home.
While Leo and Shere Khan have since passed away, their legacy continues to inspire visitors about the power of love and rehabilitation. Today, you can walk paved trails through spacious enclosures and witness firsthand how proper care transforms the lives of animals who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
Wildlife Encounters & Animal Highlights
Bengal Tigers & Big Cats: You’ll encounter majestic Bengal tigers in expansive enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitats. These powerful predators arrived at the sanctuary malnourished and in desperate need of specialized care, but have since flourished into healthy, playful cats. The sanctuary also houses other exotic cats including cougars and lions, each with their own compelling rescue story.
Related
More in Georgia
Go Behind The Scenes Of Real-Life CDC Investigations At This Free Museum In Atlanta
Keep Exploring →American Black Bears: The bear enclosures showcase these magnificent creatures in spacious, naturalistic settings. You’ll often spot the bears lounging in the sunshine, playing in their pools, or demonstrating their incredible strength and agility. The bears here represent successful rehabilitation stories, having arrived as injured cubs or confiscated pets.
Colorful Bird Collection: Prepare for a symphony of sounds as you encounter at least eight different large enclosures filled with macaws and parrots that won’t stop talking. These gorgeous birds live in environments packed with toys and branches, allowing them to express natural behaviors. You’ll also discover peacocks roaming freely throughout the grounds, creating magical photo opportunities.
Primate Paradise: The sanctuary houses howling monkeys, baboons, and capuchin monkeys – all remarkable rescue stories. These intelligent creatures live in spacious enclosures that provide enrichment and social interaction opportunities. You’ll be amazed by their personalities and complex social structures.
Gentle Giants & Farm Animals: From massive Sulcata tortoises that can weigh hundreds of pounds to gentle farm animals like horses and bison, the sanctuary provides homes for creatures both exotic and familiar. You’ll also encounter silver foxes, porcupines, and wolves, each species thriving in carefully designed habitats.
Atmosphere & Experience
Spacious Natural Habitats: The sanctuary features very large enclosures for the animals, wide walking paths, and mowed grass lawns that create a park-like atmosphere. The enclosures are more than adequate, demonstrating the deep care the sanctuary has for these animals. You’ll appreciate how the spacious design allows animals to exhibit natural behaviors while ensuring your safety through thoughtfully constructed viewing areas.
More in Georgia
Dine 22 Stories Above Downtown Atlanta In A Cobalt-Blue Dome That Resembles A Spacecraft
Discover MorePaved Walking Trails: The majority of enclosures are easily accessible along paved trails, making the sanctuary welcoming for visitors using wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers. People with walkers, strollers, and canes don’t seem to have any difficulty getting to the habitats. The self-guided experience allows you to explore at your own pace and spend extra time with animals that capture your interest.
Educational Signage: Most animal enclosures are marked with name tags and contain detailed information about each specific animal. You’ll learn rescue stories, species facts, and conservation information that transforms your visit into an educational journey about wildlife protection and responsible animal ownership.
Family-Friendly Facilities: The sanctuary features a large playground perfect for children to burn energy, multiple picnic areas for family gatherings, and a welcome center where you can get oriented before beginning your animal adventure. The facility is specifically set up for field trips with a huge playground and many picnic tables.
Other Considerations
Affordable Admission: Current admission is just $5 per person, making this an incredibly affordable family outing. The sanctuary depends on donations yet offers free admission so any family can come and let their children have the experience of seeing the animals. This pricing philosophy ensures wildlife education remains accessible to all families regardless of economic circumstances.
Operating Schedule: The sanctuary operates Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 3:30pm, with the last ticket sold at 3:00pm. Operations are weather-dependent, so you’ll want to call ahead at (770) 957-0888 to confirm they’re open, especially during inclement weather periods.
Related
More in Georgia
Get Behind The Wheel Of A High-Speed Race Car In The Simulators At This Georgia Racing Museum
Keep Exploring →Special Tours Available: Behind-the-scenes WOW Tours cost $65 per person for semi-private experiences or $125 for private tours, lasting approximately 1.5 hours. These exclusive guided experiences provide closer animal encounters and deeper insights into sanctuary operations. Educational group tours are also available for schools and organizations.
Mission-Driven Experience: Your visit supports animals whose lives are far better here than they were previously, with staff who care deeply about providing peaceful living conditions. Every animal at Noah’s Ark has a story, and the work they do there is phenomenal in providing forever homes for exotic animals that have been abused, neglected, sick, or unwanted. Your admission and donations directly support the approximately $167,000 monthly cost of feeding and caring for these rescued animals.
Parking & Location: The sanctuary offers free parking in spacious lots. Located about 45 minutes south of Atlanta, it’s easily accessible via major highways. There’s an outlet mall just a few minutes away as well as gas stations and fast food, making it convenient to combine your visit with other activities.
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary
📍 712 L G Griffin Rd, Locust Grove, GA 30248
