GeorgiaChehaw Park in Albany traces its origins to a 1937 state park created on land donated to Georgia, but its best-known feature is the wild animal park added in the 1970s. The city leased acreage in 1974 to build a zoo displaying native and exotic species in naturalistic settings, and commissioned Albany native Jim Fowler, the naturalist and longtime host of television's Wild Kingdom, to design the habitats. Animals were relocated from the older Tift Park Zoo, and the wild animal park was dedicated in October 1977; it earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1997. Visitors explore the collection along elevated boardwalks that wind through the animals' habitats, and the surrounding park offers trails, camping, and recreation.
Chehaw Wild Animal Park
Georgia history, up close and curated.
Chehaw Wild Animal Park is a museum in Albany, Dougherty County. It is one of 4 museums documented in Dougherty County, among 62 historic sites cataloged across the county on Georgia Roam.
The site sits at 31.6172, -84.1380 near Albany. The nearest cataloged historic site is Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (historical marker), about 2.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Lustron House at 711 Ninth Avenue, Old St. Teresa's Catholic Church, and St. Teresa's Catholic Church.
This record is drawn from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
Chehaw Park in Albany traces its origins to a 1937 state park created on land donated to Georgia, but its best-known feature is the wild animal park added in the 1970s. The city leased acreage in 1974 to build a zoo displaying native and exotic species in naturalistic settings, and commissioned Albany native Jim Fowler, the naturalist and longtime host of television's Wild Kingdom, to design the habitats. Animals were relocated from the older Tift Park Zoo, and the wild animal park was dedicated in October 1977; it earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1997. Visitors explore the collection along elevated boardwalks that wind through the animals' habitats, and the surrounding park offers trails, camping, and recreation.
Sources: chehaw.orggeorgiaencyclopedia.org
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