By Barry Porterfield
An area park is now finalizing all plans to host a zoo expo this weekend meant to better educate the public about the ownership and care of exotic animals.
The G.W. Exotic Animal Park near Wynnewood is the host site for the expo opening up Friday and continuing through Sunday.
The event naturally includes animals, complete with seminars and educational courses, but also has some serious entertainment lined up to round out the planned activities.
It also serves as the main fundraiser for the lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. of a group that closely monitors proposed legislation related to the ownership of exotic and alternative animals.
“Our lobby fights against legislation that takes away rights for exotic and alternative animals,” said Nancy Nighswander in a reference specifically about the rights of people of own and care for the animals.
Nighswander is the federal legislative director of UAPPEAL, which stands for Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League.
She is also a part of the United States Zoological Association.
“We’re about animal welfare. We believe in responsible ownership of exotic and alternative animals,” she said.
The park will be open regular hours during the expo with a dinner and concert on both Friday and Saturday nights. Ashley Wheeler will take the stage the first night with Pake McEntire on Saturday.
A clown and animal act will be the featured entertainment on Sunday.
During the expo the public will get a closer look at primates, better known as monkeys, and possibly some felines, which if present would consist of the “big cats.”
“There will be a tent set up with animals in cages,” she said.
“(The public) can talk to the actual owners and see what it’s like to own these animals.”
Nighswander said some examples of exotic animals would be monkeys and such felines as cougars and bobcats. One type of alternative animal is the llama, she said.
Also featured during the expo are craft and vendor booths, auctions, activities for the kids, private zoo tours, playing with baby tigers and low cost spay and neuter clinics.
For a complete list of events go online to www.usza.us.
