- Attraction: It’s A Zoo Life
- Location: 4313 NC Hwy 42, Macclesfield, NC 27852
- Industry: Zoo
- Website: https://www.itsazoolife.com/
Picture yourself walking straight into a kangaroo enclosure where wallabies hop around you, or having a lemur perch on your shoulder while a capybara waddles up for treats.
At It’s A Zoo Life in Macclesfield, this isn’t just a fantasy – it’s exactly what happens during every single tour.
This family-run sanctuary transforms the typical zoo experience into an intimate animal adventure where over 150 rescued creatures become your temporary best friends. Unlike traditional zoos where glass barriers keep you at a distance, here you’ll find yourself nose-to-snout with camels, feeding fruit to zebras, and even cradling baby wallabies in your arms.
Hands-On Animal Encounters That’ll Make Your Heart Melt
Walking With Kangaroos: The adventure kicks off the moment you step through the gates – you’ll literally walk right into the kangaroo and wallaby habitat. These gentle hoppers bounce freely around you, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to hold a tiny joey. The baby wallabies are particularly cuddly, and visitors consistently rave about carrying these adorable marsupials around during tours.
Sloth Snuggles: You’ll have the rare opportunity to get up close with a sloth, though be prepared – these diva-like creatures might give you some attitude before slowly crawling back to their favorite spot. The sanctuary’s sloth encounters are incredibly special since most zoos don’t allow this level of interaction with these fascinating creatures.
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Keep Exploring →Capybara Connection: Meet Henry, the resident capybara who has his own swimming pool complete with a waterfall! These gentle giants, often called the world’s largest rodents, are surprisingly affectionate and love munching on the vegetables you bring. You’ll discover why capybaras are known as nature’s chillest animals as they waddle up for treats and scratches.
Lemur Shoulder Rides: Having a lemur sit on your shoulder is a bucket-list experience you can actually check off here. These primates are incredibly social and will happily perch on visitors while you feed them their favorite snacks. Their soft fur and curious personalities make them instant favorites among guests of all ages.
Camel & Zebra Feeding: You’ll feed exotic animals like zebras and camels directly from your hand – an experience that feels almost surreal. The dromedary camel is particularly gentle despite its imposing size, carefully taking treats from visitors’ palms. The zebra interactions are equally thrilling, offering a rare chance to touch and feed these beautiful striped creatures.
Beyond the Big Animals
Reptile House Adventures: The sanctuary features an impressive reptile collection where you can hold various snakes, lizards, and other scaly friends. The guides are especially good at helping nervous visitors overcome their fears, turning apprehension into fascination as they share interesting facts about each creature.
Exotic Additions: You’ll encounter African servals, coatimundis, porcupines, hedgehogs, ferrets, cockatoos, and even monkeys throughout your tour. Each animal has its own personality and backstory, many having been rescued from difficult situations. The coatis are particularly entertaining with their long snouts and playful antics.
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Discover MoreFarm Friends: Mixed in with the exotic residents are familiar faces like alpacas, goats, pigs, sheep, peacocks, and mini horses. These animals roam more freely, and you’ll often find yourself surrounded by a friendly mob of creatures all hoping for a snack or scratch.
The Personal Touch That Makes All the Difference
Your Own Backyard Zoo: What sets this place apart is that it truly is the owners’ backyard – these aren’t just exhibition animals, they’re beloved pets. Most have been with the family since they were babies, many even starting life inside the family’s home. This personal connection shows in how comfortable and social the animals are with visitors.
Educational Excellence: The guided tours, offered at 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm daily, are packed with fascinating information. Your guide will share stories about each animal’s personality, their rescue stories, native habitats, and care requirements. They’re also fantastic at teaching children about respecting animal boundaries while still encouraging interaction.
Photo Paradise: You’ll have countless opportunities to snap incredible photos with and of the animals throughout your visit. From selfies with sloths to group shots in the kangaroo enclosure, every moment is Instagram-worthy. The guides are happy to help capture these special moments.
Family Fun Features
Playground Paradise: After your animal adventures, kids can burn off extra energy at the on-site playground. This thoughtful addition gives families a place to relax and play while processing all the amazing experiences they just had.
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Keep Exploring →Sweet Treats: The small gift shop stocks snacks, beverages, and plenty of candy that kids absolutely love. You’ll also find souvenirs at various price points to remember your visit.
Special Events: The sanctuary hosts birthday parties, school field trips, church groups, and summer zoo camps. They even offer mobile zoo services where they’ll bring animals to your event, complete with pony rides and carnival attractions.
Planning Your Wild Adventure
Pricing: Tours are very reasonably priced at around $15 per person with a guide, making this an affordable family outing compared to larger zoos. The value is exceptional considering the intimate, hands-on nature of the experience.
What to Bring: Don’t arrive empty-handed! The animals love fruits and vegetables, so pack apples, carrots, grapes, bananas, and lettuce. You’ll use these throughout the tour to feed various creatures. Consider bringing plastic gloves for handling food, bug spray for comfort, and a hat for sunny days.
Timing Tips: Summer months and weekends can get crowded, so consider visiting during off-peak times for a more intimate experience. The weather can get quite hot during summer tours, but the incredible animal encounters make it worthwhile.
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Discover MoreAccessibility: The facility is wheelchair accessible with ADA-compliant features including accessible parking, main entrance, and restrooms. The grounds are well-maintained and easy to navigate for visitors of all mobility levels.
Location Perks: While the rural location means limited nearby dining options (the closest restaurant is about 2.2 miles away), the peaceful countryside setting adds to the sanctuary’s charm. Free parking is available on-site.
It’s A Zoo Life
📍 4313 NC Hwy 42, Macclesfield, NC 27852
