Eric Smith 
PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WRBL) – Come choose a experience on the wild side! Every single Wednesday on News 3 This Early morning, News 3’s Blake Eason requires you on a trip by way of Wild Animal Safari – a Pine Mountain topic park.
On the next quit of our safari experience we return to the Stroll About Experience Zoo to fulfill Shelby the African Spurred Tortoise.
Typical Manager Katie Harrison says Shelby is 10 decades outdated and they obtained her through the gift of adoption.
“We acquired Shelby about 4 many years back,” explained Harrison. “She employed to be somebody’s pet. They decided they couldn’t acquire care of her any lengthier, so they donated her listed here.”
Harrison states Shelby’s diet at Wild Animal Safari consist of romaine lettuce, in the wild it’s a tiny various.
“Typically, they eat a good deal of grass,” reported Harrison. “Now they do are living in the desert, in a natural way in Africa. So regardless of what form of vegetation, they can find a large amount of cactuses and points like cacti.”
Coming in as the 3rd largest tortoise in the earth and weighing in at about 100 kilos, opposite to preferred perception Harrison says Shelby is the furthest matter from gradual.
“I really don’t believe Shelby is gradual by any implies,” stated Harrison. “No, now they do tend to transfer a small little bit slower than other species. But when they are motivated, they can go for you.”
In addition to their sheer measurement, Harrison says one of her beloved issues about the tortoise is their protecting nature when in the wild.
“They also are really crucial to their ecosystem in Africa,” explained Harrison. “They like to dig burrows. And so in the desert, individuals burrows build a habitat for not only them, but also other species as nicely, like minor lizards, other points that do not make it house and make that a safe location for them.”
Not only is Shelby a popular take a look at in the Walkabout Experience Zoo, Harrison suggests because of her interesting and tranquil demeanor, she’s also an animal ambassador.
Animal Ambassadors at Wild Animal Safari are precise animals obtainable for off-web site adventures such as college visits for educational purposes.
Guided tours are available for park visitors who would like to understand extra about all the animals alongside the safari and inside the Walkabout Adventure Zoo.
Wild Animal Safari is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2021 and as portion of that celebration the park is teaming up with News 3 for “Wild Animal Wednesdays – A Ride on the Wild Aspect.” The park is found at 1300 Oak Grove Highway in Pine Mountain, Georgia, and the 300-acre park is household to 75 animal species. For much more information and facts on Wild Animal Safari, which includes how to program your pay a visit to and buy tickets, go to https://animalsafari.com.
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