The intrigue of the park is the interaction with t...

The intrigue of the park is the interaction with the animals, interactions that you may never again have the opportunity. Unfortunately, while doing so you may feel a bit off-put. The park itself seems overwhelming once you enter as the closeness to the animals is fascinating yet eerie.

When I visited the park, I was excited to see the animals but was discouraged when I saw conditions of some of the pens. Some pens had trash (muffin wrappers) smashed into or laying on the ground. I equated this to just demanding needs of a park that may be understaffed and/or money constraints.

I certainly learned it was not understaffed when it came time for the the tour they offer of the park. When massing for the beginning of the tour, many of the park employees where standing around as well waiting for it to start. Some of the employees where even smoking among the park visitors, standing right next to the animal pens. I m in no way able to spout off animal park regulations, but smoking cigarettes a few feet away from the animals seems like it would be something an employe, or anyone, should not do.

As for the tour, it was filled with many factual errors you would expect an animal park should know. If you do the tour, you will know what I'm talking about. This made me doubt the knowledge and animal education of the staff. It seemed that the goal of the park is to get pictures of people with animals and to breed tigers. Basically, here's the animal, smile, pass the animal to the next group. It was very apparent the owner Joe Exotic was very concentrated with his fighting with the Humane Society and PETA. He basically called the National Humane Society a building full of telemarketers.

Overall, the whole experience of the park is unsettling. If you catch on to some of the things they say, actions they take, and outlandish explanations of certain things in their park, you ll understand the scrutiny and spotlight that has been placed on the park.