This past week, Oregon made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. More than 300 animals were seized from the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon after authorities uncovered a nightmare behind its gates. Investigators described filthy, overcrowded enclosures, animals suffering from untreated injuries, emaciation, and sheer neglect. The facility, long criticized by animal rights groups, is now shut down, and deservedly so.

But in the swirl of outrage, a dangerous confusion has emerged; one that threatens the reputation of an entirely unrelated and deeply respected institution: Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. Let’s be absolutely clear here: Wildlife Safari is not West Coast Game Park Safari. In fact, it stands as a shining example of what ethical, conservation-driven wildlife care should look like, and comparing the two does a disservice to the animals, the staff, and the visitors who cherish what Wildlife Safari represents.

Wildlife Safari, nestled in the rolling hills of southern Oregon, isn’t just another roadside attraction. It’s a vast, 615-acre AZA-accredited park where animals live in expansive, naturalistic habitats. Visitors drive through expansive pastures where wildebeest roam, rhinos lounge under trees, and giraffes stretch their necks to peek into sunroofs. The experience is quiet, thoughtful, and respectful; a far cry from the hands-on petting zoo model that prioritized selfies over safety in Bandon.

The difference starts with intent. Wildlife Safari exists to conserve, to educate, and to care. Its cheetah breeding program is internationally recognized, contributing to the survival of one of the world’s most endangered big cats. Its staff includes dedicated veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and conservationists who treat their residents as wild beings, not props. The park doesn’t offer cub petting. It doesn’t exploit baby animals for profit. Instead, it focuses on fostering awe and respect in a setting that mirrors the animals’ natural environments as closely as possible. Wildlife Safari is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and receives no local, state, or federal tax funding. The park solely relies on ticket sales, online purchases, membership, donations, and volunteer assistance

Contrast that with what officials found in Bandon: over 300 animals crammed into unsuitable enclosures, many lacking proper food, water, or veterinary attention. According to reports, some animals were living in filth, suffering from untreated wounds, and displaying clear signs of neglect. The facility had long marketed itself as a hands-on experience, letting visitors handle exotic animals without proper barriers or oversight, a practice widely condemned by experts and animal advocates.

And while West Coast Game Park Safari operated largely in secrecy, avoiding oversight until public pressure finally caught up, Wildlife Safari has always been transparent. It welcomes scrutiny. It participates in national conservation initiatives. It runs educational programs for children and families to foster a deeper understanding of wildlife and the need to protect it. What you’ll find in Winston isn’t spectacle: it’s substance.

Home to one of the most successful cheetah breeding research centers in the world, Wildlife Safari holds the distinction of being the number one cheetah breeding facility outside of Africa and ranks second globally. This achievement is no accident. It reflects decades of commitment to conservation science and animal care, led by experts who work tirelessly to protect endangered species. On top of that, Wildlife Safari runs dynamic educational outreach programs that serve hundreds of school-aged children annually. Some high school students even take part in on-site classes covering subjects like ecology, English, and math — a rare chance to learn in a living classroom where the subjects come to life all around them.

There’s a human side to this too. The staff at Wildlife Safari, many of whom have spent years building bonds with the animals they care for, now find themselves fielding worried calls from supporters who’ve seen the headlines and mistaken one park for another. They’ve had to defend the very core of their life’s work against the fallout from someone else’s negligence. That kind of guilt by association isn’t just unfair, it’s harmful. It can chip away at public trust and distract from the real issues: shutting down exploitative facilities like the one in Bandon and supporting places that get it right.

As a personal note, I have visited both Wildlife Safari (many times over the years since I was a child; it was a beloved place of wonderment for myself and my late dad), and West Coast Game Park Safari (only once, two years ago, because my curiosity got the better of me). Wildlife Safari was an absolute sanctuary, while the "petting zoo" in Bandon left me with a deflated sense of dread. The big cats were obviously malnourished. The chimpanzee was acting out in anger at visitors, throwing himself at the bars of his too-small cage and emitting howls that can only be described as terrifying. It was a hot summer day, and I only observed one small water fountain for the multitudes of free-roaming animals that accosted visitors for their purchased cones of bird seed and kibble.

Conversely, Wildlife Safari in Winston holds a sense of enchantment in my heart. My absolute favorite part of the park is the first drive-in, where all of the grazing African animals become visible through the tall grasses and native white Oaks of southern Oregon. They roam free, living their best lives in an environment that mimics their wild existence in every way possible (just watch out for those wily Emus. If you know, you know.)

So let’s set the record straight. Wildlife Safari in Winston is one of the most respected wildlife parks in the country, a place where animals come first and visitors leave inspired. The tragedy in Bandon should fuel outrage, but it should also reinforce how vital it is to recognize and support sanctuaries that prioritize welfare over profit, education over entertainment, and dignity over spectacle.

Wildlife Safari doesn’t deserve the shadow cast by West Coast Game Park Safari. It deserves praise, protection, and our continued support. If you'd like to make a monetary donation, visit the park, or simply reach out to let Wildlife Safari know how much you appreciate them, here are all the details:

Web: Wildlife Safari

Socials: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok

Phone: 541-679-6761

Email: [email protected]

Donations: wildlifesafari.net/products/donations

Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm, 7 days a week