How to get there:

Just a mile past the city of Mentone on 117, the park is really easy to find.

What to expect:
Park along the pasture that houses the camels as you drive in.
The park gets no outside funding, it is run on donations. The park is getting a major renovation, lots of cleaning up and replacing some of the housing for the animals, making the enclosures more natural and accomodating the needs of the animals as well as improving the quality of their lives.
Nearly all of the animals at the zoo are from private owners that could no longer supply the needs of their 'pets'. That sweet tiger cub quickly turns into a huge meat-consumer with a need for strong fencing and someone with training.

The park owner takes in exotic animals as well as farm animals and dogs.

The set-up now is hodge-podge with animals in 2 big categories-ones that will eat you and ones that will eat grass.

To visit:
Check their website for the latest information on admission prices and activities offered.

To volunteer:
Park along the pasture fence and head up to the main building.
Download forms here to fill out before you arrive (I do not have these yet, I will send them when I get the documents)
When you get there, you will need to sign in and out at the main building in their volunteer log.
There is plenty to do all the time at the park and if you have any special skills-all the better.
There is no charge for volunteers to tour the zoo.

If going on a roamschool volunteer day/weekend bring along any yard and hand tools you feel comfortable working with and have work gloves, plenty to drink and a hearty snack or lunch with you. There are a few places to eat out in Mentone, but the park closes at 4 and the day will get by quickly. If you have allergies, take something before you arrive. The various plants and animals can quickly overwhelm an allergic system.

Also, the park always needs the following:
parrot food
dog food
sweet feed
hay
rabbit food

any hand or yard tools you can donate that are in good shape and many other items including old blankets for bedding and baby toys for the monkeys. If you want to make a contribution other than your time, the above items are very useful!

Who could shoot at these guys?

Fennec fox

Just your friendly local peacock

Kid volunteers can help by feeding and watering the small animals and the resident dogs can always use more love!

There are many parrots at the park as well.

On our first volunteer day, we built this enclosure for a couple small dogs that had been living in an indoor enclosure for several weeks. Not quite lion-taming, but the pups were sure thrilled!

Capybara