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Daytripper: Popcorn Park Zoo
05/01/2007 - By Gena Ansell-Lande A safe and forever home to hundreds of rescued animals, Popcorn Park Zoo is a worthwhile day trip.
"Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! See them all at Ocean County's Popcorn Park Zoo. Located on 7 acres in New Jersey's beautiful Pinelands, the Popcorn Park Zoo offers an environment of safety, wonderful care, and peace to its residents. The zoo houses over 200 rescued animals, and even includes a pet adoption center. The diverse array of animals unfortunate enough to need rescue, but lucky enough to end up here, is a sight to behold. What makes Popcorn Park Zoo so special is that each resident was rescued from suffering, grave danger, or even death, and each has its own unique story to tell. You will learn their stories as you walk through the zoo.
Some examples of the variety of animals are the four magnificent tigers from Texas who were thin, malnourished, and homeless when they were brought to the zoo. They now thrive in a compound with rocks, trees, and a waterfall. There is also Bunky the lion, Oliver the bull (once headed for a veal crate), and Trudy and Seven - mother and daughter Belgian Draft horses who left behind a life of starvation. A monkey house shelters macaques, capuchins, rhesus monkeys, and more, while the reptile house features snakes, iguanas, tortoises, and turtles. There are also black bears, wallabies, bobcats, cougars, foxes, a llama, sheep, goats, muntjack deer, pigs, emus, rheas, and many other wildlife creatures for which Popcorn park Zoo has become home. The zoo's newest addition, Princess the camel, has recently gained notoriety in football circles as she has been selecting games for the football pool of the Stafford-based radio station WCHR-FM (105.7). At the time of this writing, she had a record of 7-6; ironically, this is the same record as the Giants and Jets- two of the teams she picks for.
The Popcorn Park Zoo was established in 1977 as a refuge for wildlife and farm animals that were abused, ill, injured, or exploited. Each animal faced a questionable future at best, and for many of these animals the zoo was their last resort. Also on the premises is a full-service animal shelter and adoption facility. The atmosphere is away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and when you visit you too will feel the peace and tranquility. A visit to Popcorn Park Zoo is not only an educational and recreational experience; it shows the true side of human compassion. Employees at the shelter see some very sad cases, but they strive to give these unfortunates an extra special chance to find the home which will offer them a new and especially loving chance at life.
The Associated Humane Society, which was founded in 1906, operates the Popcorn Park Zoo. It is the largest animal sheltering system in New Jersey, with a total of four shelters located in Newark, Forked River, Tinton Falls, and Union. the following services are available at the Forked River shelter; humane education programs and tours, adoption and surrender of cats, dogs, and small animals 7 days a week, and radio-dispatched ambulances on call 24 hours a day. The care and welfare of animals is the principal goal of the Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park Zoo, and approximately 15,000 animals come through their doors every year. The staff at the shelter does their best to help potential adopters find the pet that fits their lifestyle and family. With thorough adoption procedures in place, mandated spaying and neutering, necessary inoculations and, most recently, microchipping of all animals, more and more pets are truly given "a new leash on life."
Currently, the Society's focus on humane education is in Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Park rangers hold classes and tours at the Popcorn Park Zoo and at the Forked River Animal Care Center. They will also arrange to provide education "in the field" at local service organizations, schools, and churches in the area.
Forked River is located in the scenic Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey, in Ocean County. It's a wonderful place to visit and convently located near Toms River. A visit to the Popcorn Park Zoo is a fun and educational opportunity for children of all ages.
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