STAYING LOCAL
Fri, 2016-03-11 05:00
News Staff
Spring Break at the Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive-through Safari
By CHUCK TAYLOR
Cove Leader-Press
One of the oldest wild animal parks in Texas is just a short 10 miles from Copperas Cove in the little town of Topsey.
Established in 1988, the original thought was just to have a couple of water buffalo but that idea has expanded over the years to include over 50 different species of animals including a tiger, a camel, monkeys, zebras, antelope, various birds, prairie dogs, guinea pigs and so much more.
In total, the park houses around 400 animals, most of whom can be fed by hand right from your car.
The ranch gets its animals from the Wild Life Services, breeders, donations and rescue requests. All of the animals with the exception of the tiger, monkeys and some birds are fed alfalfa and hay. The lion consumes about 10 pounds of meat each day. Most of the animals are fed a supplemental feed by visitors to the ranch where they can purchase bags of pellets for $1.
Most of the animals will race up to the cars driving through. The ranch has animals from every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica.
During the summer months, the Topsey Exotic Ranch and Drive Through Safari averages about 300 carloads of visitors per day, many of whom are returning guests.
Some of the animals that have been housed at the ranch have been returned to their native lands so as to keep the population under control.
Topsey is open seven days a week except during very inclement weather. During March, cars are admitted 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Military personnel can get their tickets at a discount at Fort Hood. For civilians, the admission fee is $11. for adults, $10. for seniors, $9. for children aged 3 through 12 and infants 2 and under are free.
To get to the ranch, travel west on F.M. 1113 from Copperas Cove to Topsey. Take a left on F.M. 580 and watch for entrance sign. For more information call (254) 547-3700.