Catoctin Wildlife Preserve

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is a 100-acre wildlife park in Maryland with more than 800 animals and a collection organized around wildlife from Africa, Latin and South America, Madagascar, Eurasia, North America, Australia, and the world's islands. Naturalistic habitats range from an American alligator bayou and wolf woods to exhibits for jaguars, lemurs, giant reptiles, camels, zebras, and other species. The broad geographic organization gives the preserve a varied character while keeping the focus on close animal viewing.

A narrated safari truck ride adds a ride-through component, taking visitors through four wooded paddocks containing animals from six continents. On foot, guests can explore additional exhibits and participate in keeper talks, a walk-through bird encounter, koi and turtle feeding, and selected animal encounters. The preserve also offers opportunities to learn directly from staff about animal care and behavior. Its combination of a substantial outdoor setting, diverse international collection, safari ride, and interactive activities makes Catoctin particularly suited to visitors who want more than a conventional walk-through zoo experience.