This gem of Nova Scotia is a place that I know I will be back. The Shubenacadie Wildlife Park is a wonderful spot to spend some time with your littles. A place that I remember when I was younger, Though without aging myself, I haven’t actually been in over 20 years.
Lets start with the basics. The Shubenacadie Wildlife Park is a place where injured animals will live their lives after they have healed. With the park being under an hour drive from Halifax, it’s also a great drive for family members who may not like sitting in the car for long periods of times. I have 3 small kids, and each one of them were okay with the drive there. Though prepare for complaints on the way back. Insert an eye roll here. The park itself was also a great price. With things to do that are budget friendly in short supply this was great. Kids under 5 are Free, Youth which is really broad from age 6-17 is only $2.00 and adults, 18 and over are $4.75. My family of 5 was able to enjoy this for under $20.00. Which is a rare thing now a days with inflation. And it helps the cause and park also.
Our visit was planned for the middle of the summer, Beginning of August. We went on a week day as my husband was off. This just worked for us. We also were able to go shortly after the park opened for the day. Having kids who are up at the crack of dawn makes these things easier. When we arrived we paid at the kiosk when you enter the park. My smallest is 3, we used a stroller for him. He seemed to enjoy being able to sit and he wasn’t itching to get out either. This is also one of the first times that my kids have seen any type of animals like this up close. They were pumped!
Because we had gotten early in the day, it wasn’t overly hot. There didn’t seem to be many bugs either. We did apply sunscreen but no bug spray, which didn’t seem to be needed. We had been given tips from friends that to go early in the day. One reason for this is that it can get really busy after. Another was that as the heat gets hotter, some animals aren’t as active. Which makes sense. This isn’t a zoo where animals are brought in or various varieties are used to create an experience. Again, these have been injured animals where they may have been rehabilitated but unable to live their lives in the wide open world and need to be in places that they could grow and be safe from harm.
We walked around the park for about 2ish hours. We did not to the Marsh trail though. We opted not to since it was more open and animals were free to come and go whatever they may be. Which with younger kids, if we seen no animals they would have for sure complained about where the animals were. Kids am I right? We walked around a lot of spots. Including ones where a few animals have passed away. My oldest was especially wondering where the Sea Otters were because their old enclosure had the biggest pool spot and he wondered where it was.
This visit we seen lots of animals, the variety happened to be a lot. We seen a huge black bear. The workers were cleaning the cage and organizing a few branches and things. His cave was there which was cool to see. The kids mentioned it also. There was wolves which after posting to my social on facebook here, someone had said the black wolf was new as they were there a few weeks prior, and he wasn’t there. We also seen various birds, from Eagles, Turkeys of plenty varieties, Peacocks, Pheasants, Hawks, Vultures and more I’m sure.
There was also a lot of farm type animals also. There were sheep, goats, and emu. Coyotes also too. There were bob cats and plenty of water fowl also. There was plenty of ducks and some swans too.
The park was clean. The day was just starting but the animals were being cared for, they were being fed. My kids were particularly interested in what type of food they were eating, whether meat or fruit and which kinds also. The only thing that was empty was the goat feeder which I assume would have had corn in it. Which I wasn’t complaining as I didn’t have to try and search for some change to get some for the kids to use. Which I know they wouldn’t have wanted to and I would have ended up doing it.
If you too are looking for an inexpensive, outdoors experience for your family, This would be a great choice to make. The best part is it is open for a vast majority of the year. Though the winter season, Approximately the middle of October to Mid May, the limit is to weekends. I know I will be considering a weekend visit if the weather isn’t too bad just to experience that also. Even if the bear is likely hibernating in the cave!
Stacey J. Girard 