Ken Matherne's Southern Safari

Ken Matherne's Southern Safari

Ken Matherne will never forget the day his giraffes ran free.

He’d purchased them from a Texas zoo, where they’d been born and raised, and moved them to his property in Folsom, La., where he kept them in a fenced area while they adjusted to their new environment. After that, it was time to let them do what they’d been born to do—run with the wind.

Not knowing quite what to expect, Ken unlatched the gate. The seven giraffes took off, galloping across the open fields with great, giant strides. “Behind them the sun was setting; the sky was golden red. It was just ... just magnificent,” says Ken, his voice filled with emotion even now, 11 years later.

At that moment, he heard a van skid to a stop. Eight Boy Scouts clambered out and stood transfixed as they watched the African animals race across Louisiana land.

“Sometimes,” Ken says now, “there’s a moment in life when all things fit together, when you know what you have to do. This was one of those moments.”

At the time, Ken was 33 and had been “retired” for almost a year. His father had died at age 41, and Ken treasured time more than money. Fortunately, the oil and gas business he once co-owned with his brother had done well.

At first he simply wanted to create a memorial for his dad, who had loved animals and raised his family on a farm. He envisioned turning his land into a private preserve for threatened, endangered, and exotic animals. But as he watched the Scouts stare in wonder at the giraffes, he knew he had to do more than that. He decided to create a nonprofit foundation that would be a haven for animals and, at the same time, give thousands of children the opportunity to get up close and personal with exotic creatures.

Now in its 10th year, Global Wildlife Center, at 900 acres, is the largest free-roaming park in the United States, with approximately 3,000 animals—including bison, wildebeest, and emus among many others—representing more than 30 species. The number changes daily as animals are born and die—sometimes right in front of awe-struck visitors. The center has no predatory animals.

Folks take 90-minute tours in a tractor-pulled covered wagon train that meanders around grasslands and ponds. “We believe animals should run free, while the humans are contained,” quips Christina Cooper, the center’s animal care specialist—and Ken’s wife.

The train follows the animals, stopping when the guide spots something of interest: perhaps an abandoned rhea egg, zebra camouflaged in trees, or two antelope fighting for dominance.

“A safari is like hide-and-seek,” says Cooper. “You never know where the animals are going to be or what they’re going to be doing.”

Some animals, knowing passengers have food purchased from the Center, jostle to get close to the wagons. Children squeal with delight as they feel the gravelly tongue of Camille the Giraffe or the woolly coat of Jasmine the Bactrian Camel.

In June 1998, Global Wildlife teamed with corporate sponsors to host a Youth Safari for more than 300 inner-city and underprivileged children from New Orleans and Baton Rouge. It was the first time many of the youngsters had ever seen rural countryside, much less exotic animals.

In addition, Global Wildlife works with schools and libraries to promote reading, awarding free passes and even special tours to students reaching specified reading goals. And the ELAND Project—short for Experience, Learning, And Natural Discovery—provides a series of lesson plans for elementary and middle school teachers, accessible free of charge through the Global Wildlife website.

Ken also wants to provide hands-on business experiences for college students. The roughly 20 young adults who work at Global Wildlife learn useful skills in such areas as customer service, teamwork, computers, CPR, and workplace safety. By next year, college students also will be able to learn preventive animal maintenance and laboratory techniques at a soon-to-be-completed Animal Care Facility.

Meanwhile, the folks in Folsom (pop. 525) couldn’t be happier. Global Wildlife Center charms their children, supports local businesses, and attracts tourists.

But best of all, they don’t have to go far to get a warm nuzzle from a contented giraffe.

Andrea Gross of Asheville, N.C., is a regular contributor to American Profile.

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