Information
Landmark: Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & ZooCity: Atlanta
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo, Atlanta, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Just outside Dahlonega, Georgia, Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo runs as a nonprofit sanctuary devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing lifelong care for both exotic and native animals-whether it’s a pacing tiger or a quiet barn owl in recovery.C. W. Wathen founded the preserve after swapping two miniature horses for a pair of zebras, a trade that sparked his lifelong passion for rescuing exotic animals.Since it opened, Chestatee Wildlife Preserve has become a haven for over 100 animals, from orphaned deer to parrots once kept illegally as pets.The preserve gives these animals a safe place to live, sparing them from futures that might have been harsh or unpredictable.At Chestatee, you’ll find an incredible mix of wildlife-from sleek big cats and lively primates to hoofed grazers, prowling carnivores, sun-warmed reptiles, and bright-feathered birds.At the preserve, visitors can spot animals they’d rarely see in the wild or a typical zoo-maybe a shy ocelot slipping through the grass-which makes the place truly one of a kind.Big Cats: The preserve is home to white and golden Bengal tigers, African lions with deep amber eyes, sleek leopards, swift servals, and shy bobcats.The preserve’s staff work tirelessly to care for these majestic predators, giving them roomy habitats that echo the wild-open grass, the scent of pine, and space to roam.In the primates area, visitors can watch rescued chimpanzees and a mix of monkey species, some once kept in cramped cages or left in neglect.The preserve is home to hoofed mammals like zebras, zedonks-striped hybrids of zebra and donkey-along with camels, elk, and deer.Many of these animals once lounged in living rooms as exotic pets, or they came from the faded tents of circuses and the locked cages of private collections.Carnivores at the preserve include more than just big cats-you’ll also find grizzly and black bears and packs of wolves, each living in a habitat designed to match the way they roam, hunt, and rest.The preserve’s reptile collection ranges from slow, heavy tortoises to sharp-eyed alligators, while its bird population bursts with rare, vivid species-macaws flashing red and gold, emus striding through the grass-adding rich diversity to the habitat.Among the preserve’s most memorable residents is Pippi, a zedonk whose patchwork coat and easygoing charm have earned her fans around the world.Pippi shows exactly how the preserve cares for animals that are rare and often overlooked, like the shy lemur hiding in the shade.At Chestatee Wildlife Preserve, guests enjoy a close-up, hands-on look at the animals-watching a tiger stretch in the sun or feeding gentle deer-while learning about respect for wildlife and the importance of conservation.You’ll find the preserve at 469 Old Dahlonega Highway, just beyond Dahlonega, GA, an easy drive for a quick afternoon walk or a weekend getaway.The preserve welcomes visitors every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., though the gates close to new arrivals at 2:30 sharp.The visiting hours let you wander at a leisurely pace, while the animals enjoy quiet stretches of rest and attentive care once the gates close.Admission is $15 for adults 12 and older, and $10 for kids 11 and under - about the cost of two scoops of ice cream on a hot day.Kids under two get in free-no ticket needed.For $5, visitors can buy a small feed bag and offer snacks to select animals-just be ready for a curious nose nudging your hand.The preserve has shady picnic spots where visitors can unpack lunch and rest, but there aren’t any indoor restrooms-just a row of porta-potties and a simple hand-washing sink.For everyone’s safety-yours and the wildlife-pets aren’t allowed on the grounds.Service animals are welcome, but only under strict guidelines.At Chestatee, you can step closer to the animals through hands-on encounters and lively educational sessions, each crafted to help visitors truly grasp the sights, sounds, and importance of wildlife and conservation.safeIn this encounter, visitors discover how sloths live, what shapes their slow, deliberate movements, and the threats they face in the wild.It costs $100 per person, and you’ll need to book ahead-think of calling before the weekend rush.At Breakfast with the Big Cats, you’ll help toss fresh meat to the preserve’s lions and tigers while expert staff share stories and facts about their care and wild lives.Because it’s a hands-on activity with strict safety rules, the cost is $250 per person, and you’ll need to book at least a week ahead-long enough for us to prepare gear and double-check everything.At the Small Animal Shows, you can watch cockatoos fluff their feathers, see an alligator blink slowly, or watch a snake coil, all while learning how each one survives, behaves, and fits into its ecosystem.School groups, clubs, and organizations are welcome at the preserve, and groups of 25 or more can enjoy discounted rates-perfect for a day exploring winding trails or spotting herons by the pond.Field trips cost $10 per person, but teachers and chaperones riding the bus get in free, no tickets needed.Each visit runs about an hour and a half, with activities tailored to support learning in biology, conservation, and animal science-like examining a turtle’s shell up close.At Chestatee Wildlife Preserve, a nonprofit dedicated to conservation, the focus stays on rescuing animals, caring for their well-being, and teaching visitors-never on turning a profit.At the preserve, animals taken from illegal owners or saved from harsh abuse now live in safety, with lifelong care and a quiet place to rest under the shade of old oak trees.The preserve depends on donations and local support to keep its animals healthy and thriving, from the soft rustle of a fox’s fur to the bright eyes of a rescued owl.We invite visitors to help by bringing fresh fruit, crisp vegetables, tender cuts of meat, and other supplies-essential for meeting the animals’ varied diets.We’re gladly accepting donations like fresh kale and crisp greens, corn on the cob, juicy peaches, grapes, bananas, sweet strawberries, tart blueberries, apples, oranges, pineapple, along with peanut butter, jelly, raisin bread, beef, and chicken.Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo is a one-of-a-kind sanctuary that rescues and cares for everything from sleek exotic cats to native deer grazing in the shade.With rescued wildlife, hands-on lessons, rare animal meet‑and‑greets, and a clear commitment to conservation, it offers visitors a chance to learn about creatures up close-like feeling the soft brush of a fox’s tail-while supporting ethical wildlife care.Chestatee blends hands-on learning with a deep respect for nature, giving visitors a memorable experience that shines a light on wildlife rescue and the struggles exotic animals face, whether behind a fence or roaming free.
