ct safari park

Action Wildlife: A Photo Tour

Northwest Connecticut Wild Animal Park is Affordable Family Day Trip Destination

TripSavvy / Kim Knox Beckius 

A drive-through safari. Exotic animals including some on the brink of extinction. A petting zoo. A museum-quality collection of mounted animals ranging from cuddly forest critters to giants of the African savanna. Playgrounds. Indoor and outdoor waterfalls. Amazing photo opportunities. Action Wildlife in Goshen, CT, will blow away your expectations.

This 116-acre zoo and museum (here's a map of the property) affords opportunities to observe animal behavior and to marvel at the diversity of life on our planet. And, at $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under (as of 2018), Action Wildlife is one of Connecticut's best family entertainment bargains.

Admission fees cover only 25 percent of the non-profit Action Wildlife Foundation's operating costs: The facility is obviously founder Jim Mazzarelli's passion. You'll love sharing an animal adventure with your kids in an uncrowded setting. Visit Action Wildlife spring through fall.

Museum and Exploration Center

In 2008, a Museum and Exploration Center was added at Action Wildlife in Goshen, CT. Inside this enormous warehouse, located just inside the admission gate, visitors first encounter an assortment of live birds and reptiles, like this turtle.

Holy Watusi!

We weren't surprised to spy a fish tank when we reached the first floor of the museum at Action Wildlife, but we certainly weren't expecting to come face-to-face with an incredibly lifelike, long-horned Watusi cow: a preview of the displays that awaited.

Stuffed Turkey

The stuffed turkey at Action Wildlife is not the kind you'd serve on Thanksgiving day. It is one of a menagerie of brilliantly executed taxidermy animals in the museum's vast and diverse collection.

From a Raccoon...

How diverse is the array of animals brought to life by taxidermist Mike Maston? The amazingly alert-looking animals on display range from this everyday North American masked bandit, the raccoon...

...to a White Rhino

...to a White Rhino , an enormous creature from the grasslands of Africa. Action Wildlife founder Jim Mazzarelli hunted all but a handful of the animals on display in the museum. A White Rhino hunting license was $20,000, we were told, with no guarantees.

Bison Battle

Video footage of scenes observed in the wild aided in the creation of realistic dioramas, such as this battle between two American bison, inside the museum at Action Wildlife.

Please Don't Pet the Bears

Action Wildlife's displays reminded me of those at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, only here in Connecticut, glass does not separate visitors from the animals, and even on a holiday weekend, there isn't a crowd. Still, touching is not allowed.

A Photographer's Dream

Because the taxidermy animals are not hidden behind glass, Action Wildlife is a photographer's dream, even when the subject is a not terribly photogenic creature like the warthog! As you'll see, I was able to capture neat live animal shots outdoors, too.

Reach Out and Touch That Snout

No, you can't touch the water buffalo's nose. But doesn't it look as though it would be warm and moist if you did? The taxidermy work at Action Wildlife is a marvel. Pelts, preserved in the field, are mounted on mannequins. Even the glass eyes look real.

Lions' Prey

Some of the dioramas, such as this scene of lions attacking a water buffalo, are admittedly a tad gruesome. But my 7-year-old, who'd seen something similar on Animal Planet, was unfazed. There are ample options for diverting younger children's gaze.

In the museum's last room, my daughter had the chance to touch an assortment of fur pelts—moose, bear, raccoon—and elephant skin, too, at an interactive station. By now, we were eager to hop in our car and continue our Action Wildlife animal safari.

Fallow Deer

White-spotted, graceful Fallow Deer are common in England, but they're not often seen in New England. Action Wildlife has successfully bred Fallow Deer, and a small herd can be observed as visitors begin their drive around this animal park in Goshen, CT.

Scimitar Oryx

The Scimitar Oryx only sounds like an animal invented by Dr. Seuss! Native to North Africa, the Scimitar Oryx is extinct in the wild, so the opportunity to see this curvy-horned antelope at Action Wildlife in Goshen, Connecticut, is a rare one, indeed.

Water Buffalo

The taxidermy water buffalo we saw inside the museum gave us a sense of this hulking creature's size. Viewing this live water buffalo on the grounds of Action Wildlife gave us a sense of this big bovine's sloppy eating habits!

Drive-Through Safari

Around the corner from the Watusi Cattle, the 50-acre drive-through wildlife safari is one of Action Wildlife's most unique attractions. As we circumnavigated this enclosed area, we kept our eyes peeled for llamas, emu and Japanese Sika Deer.

Hop Out and See the Animals Up Close

That's a face only a Mama Llama could love! When we entered Action Wildlife, we learned that one of the beauties of this zoo is that visitors can hop in and out of their cars safely at any point for a close-up view of both exotic and domestic animals.

Poitou Donkey

The shaggy Poitou Donkey , an ancient breed that originated in France's Poitou region, is an incredibly rare animal. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists the breed's status as "critical": Only 450 pure Poitous were known to exist as of 2005.

Head Into the Petting Zoo

The endangered and exotic animals at Action Wildlife are fascinating to observe, but who can resist baby farm animals? Not my family.

Making Friends

It's easy to make friends with the petting zoo sheep... if you have a bottle in your hand! When we visited, bottles of milk were $3 and small cups of grain $1. Be forewarned: The attendant likely won't have change. It's a bit of a ploy, I think.

Fun and Educational

For my little girl, feeding the baby sheep, kids and piglets was a highlight of our visit to Action Wildlife in Goshen, Connecticut. The animal park is a fun place to take kids of all ages, and school groups are welcome to plan educational outings, too.

A Scene from Disney

Deer aren't typically found in petting zoos, and the chance to feed this young fawn from our hands was like a scene from an animated Disney movie... only without singing birds flying around our heads.

A Playground for Little Tots

At Action Wildlife, there's a picnic area and playground for little kids under 6 near the petting zoo. Pack a picnic lunch, and you can easily make a day out of your visit to this wild animal park and safari in Northwest Connecticut.

A Work of Art

I've seen zebras in zoos before, but I only realized what a work of art the zebra is as I viewed the sole member of the species on view at Action Wildlife. For the first time, I noticed that the stripes on a zebra's mane align perfectly with its coat.

Don't Fence Me In

The Action Wildlife animals are penned in, but they all have plenty of space to roam inside their landscaped habitats. This horse wasn't going anywhere, but we did see a goat wander out into the road. We laughed when a staffer said, "That's Houdini."

Where the Buffalo Roam

The animals on display at Action Wildlife really do run the gamut from A to Z: American Bison to Zebu. The herd of bison (or buffalo) that call the wildlife park home can be seen from Route 4.

Larger Than Life

The American Bison is North America's largest living land animal, and, with my 80-200mm lens, I was able to gaze into the eyes of one of these majestic beasts. Action Wildlife's signage is sparse, but you can research animal facts online after your visit.

A Vigilant Elk

This American Elk kept careful watch on us as we observed her and even made a charge toward the fence at one point, causing me to reflexively grab my daughter's shoulder and pull her back from the elk enclosure.

A Mother's Instinct

I quickly realized that the elk's protective behavior mirrored my own. Mama elk was simply, instinctively ensuring the safety of her babies. I had never seen a baby elk. There's only one word to describe this bright-eyed calf: adorable.

A male elk, who I assume is the proud papa of this brood, looked on languidly while his offspring frolicked. American Elk shed their antlers annually. When you see how impressive a male elk's antlers can be, that's almost impossible to believe.

The Male of the Species

It's a natural instinct for elk and human moms to keep a sharp watch while their little ones play. I'll let you draw your own conclusions about whether the males of both species also share instinctive tendencies.

Goodbye Goats

We had to pull our 7-year-old daughter away from her new "friends," the Pygmy Goats, when we first visited their pen, so before we left Action Wildlife in Goshen, Connecticut, we drove back around and gave her a chance to say, "goodbye."

A Playground for Bigger Kids

Action Wildlife has a playground for bigger kids, too, back near the museum and gift shop, where shaded picnic tables are also available. With swings, slides, ride-on animals, a climbing wall and more, kids could easily spend an hour or more playing here.

Ride the Orange Snail

We thought gazing up at a rhino, touching elephant skin, beholding an Oryx, embarking on a safari, making friends with goats, bottle-feeding piglets, admiring a zebra and dodging a wary elk was enough for our girl. No. She had to ride the orange snail.

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The Action Wildlife Foundation offers fun for all! Be a part of our efforts to inspire and engage generations through a community-shared legacy of conservation, agriculture, and education. 

Park Admission 

$8/Container

Weekday A dmission

Season Pass

10am-5pm Gates lock @ 6pm

**Weather Permitting**

Action Wildlife Foundation is a Non-Profit, privately owned facility. We do not receive any government funding or grants. Any money that you pay in our park goes right back into our facility and helps us create for our animals. This includes admission, petting zoo, gift shop, and donations. Our animals appreciate every purchase.

About our Admission Pricing:

Action wildlife foundation public entrance 435 torrington rd, goshen ct 06756  .

See Zebras And Water Buffalo Up Close At Action Wildlife, A Drive-Thru Adventure In Connecticut

Elisa Regulski

Elisa is a passionate travel writer with over five years of experience. After graduating with a B.F.A in acting from Oklahoma City University, Elisa earned a M.A in mass communication From Texas State University. When she's not writing about all of the amazing places throughout the U.S., she can be heard singing with her band.

More by this Author

Gather up your friends and family and prepare for an exciting afternoon excursion. At Action Wildlife in Goshen, you can see exotic animals from the comfort of your car. That’s right! Stare at fascinating zebras, say hello to old turtles, and watch deer scurry through tall grasses. And the best part of this family-friendly adventure? It won’t break the bank. Everyone should experience this drive-thru zoo in Connecticut at least once.

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Have you ever been to Action Wildlife? What is your favorite family-friendly attraction in Connecticut? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

For more excitement, check out these 9 family campgrounds in Connecticut .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Featured Addresses

For your safety and to allow us to continue this amazing experience, we ask that you follow our rules listed here and given by the tour guides  before embarking on each adventure!

Have fun and enjoy feeding our feathery and furry friends!

DRIVE-THRU SAFARI

Drive your own vehicle or sign up for a Safari Truck Tour! 

Safari Truck Tours are first come first serve sign-ups in the gift shop (must pay combo price).

Pre-booking only available for group reservations.

Welcome to our largest addition yet!

See over 100 animals of 25 species in our large open spaces at the Drive-Thru Safari. The Safari section is located just up the roa d from

Keys tone Safari's walk-thru par k.

 Please do NOT feed or interact with the Zebras, Blue Wildebeest, and Scimitar Horned Oryx. Any guest not following this rule will be escorted out of the park without refund. This rule is set in place to keep our guests and animals safe. 

Safari Truck  Tours

-Our 1970s ex-military vehicles are outfitted with bull bars and undercarriage framing to protect our animals, and you!

-Our tour guides are not just drivers! They are well equipped and highly trained to handle any questions and any encounters with our wild animals. Education is important to us as it is to you - come prepared to  learn  about our animals from nose to tail!

-You will get up close and personal with over 100 wild animals on this hour long trek across 80 acres of Rolling Plains, Thick Fore sts and Deep Waters!

Safari Drive-Thru (Personal Car)

Gates close 45 minute before cl osing

Keystone Safari and it’s affiliates are not responsible for damages to any vehicle. Drivers assume all liability when entering the Drive-Thru section of the park.

Jeeps Are Welcome!

We are excited to share the gravel road with o ur friends

Enjoy our safari tour from the comfort of your Jeep

Rules For Jeeps

Must have Full Doors or Half Doors

*No Soft Tops

*No Tube or Non-Metal Doors

Stay in the vehicle! Do not exit your vehicle or hang out of it

No outside animals of any kind

Stay on the Safari Road at all times

Speed Limit 2 MPH. Keep the animals safe

Animal List

Guanacos, Llamas, Miniature Donkeys, Highlander Cattle, Emu, Rhea,  Nilgai, Pere David’s Deer, Blue Wildebeest , Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Fallow Deer, American Bison, Yak, Common Eland, Turkey, Grant's Zebra, Water Buffalo, Elk and more!

Watch CBS News

All the NY Giants picks for the 2024 NFL Draft

By Mark Prussin

Updated on: April 28, 2024 / 8:22 AM EDT / CBS New York

DETROIT -- The New York Giants picked wide receiver Malik Nabers from LSU with the 6th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday in Detroit. 

The Giants entered the draft with six picks. Here are the players the Giants drafted. 

Who did the NY Giants pick in the NFL Draft on day 1?

Nabers, LSU's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, opted for forgo his senior year to enter the NFL Draft. He'll be a solid weapon for quarterback Daniel Jones, even though the Giants were rumored to want a new quarterback in the first round. 

Nabers was profiled as one of the most explosive players in the 2024 draft. He led the SEC with 1,569 receiving yards and could turn into the Giants' most productive wide receiver since Odell Beckham Jr., another LSU Tiger. 

Who did the NY Giants pick in the NFL Draft on day 2?

The Giants took safety Tyler Nubin from Minnesota with their second-round pick. Nubin, a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, set a program record with 13 interceptions in 55 games played for the Golden Gophers. 

New York selected cornerback Andru Phillips from Kentucky in the third round. Phillips, a junior, played in 38 games and started 16 for the Wildcats. 

Who did the NY Giants pick in the NFL Draft on day 3?

The Giants selected Penn State tight end Theo Johnson in the fourth round on Saturday. Johnson's 12 career receiving touchdowns are the third most all-time by a Nittany Lions tight end . 

The Giants took Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the fifth round. The sixth-year senior led the Boilermakers with nine touchdowns and was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2023.

In the sixth round, with their final pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Giants selected linebacker Darius Muasau, from UCLA. Muasau led the UCLA Bruins with 75 tackles and was named Defensive Most Valuable Player in the LA Bowl, where UCLA beat Boise State.

Where were the NY Giants in the 2024 NFL Draft order? 

Here's when the Giants were on the clock:

• Round 1, Pick 6, Malik Nabers, WR from LSU
• Round 2, Pick 15 (47th overall, from Seattle), Tyler Nubin, S from University of Minnesota
• Round 3, Pick 6 (70th overall), Andru Phillips, CB from Kentucky
• Round 4, Pick 7 (107th overall), Theo Johnson, TE from Penn State
• Round 5, Pick 31 (166th overall, from San Francisco and Carolina), Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB from Purdue
• Round 6, Pick 7 (183rd overall), Darius Muasau, LB from UCLA
• Round 7, no pick
• New York Giants
• 2024 NFL Draft

Mark Prussin is a Digital Producer at CBS New York. He covers breaking news, sports, politics and trending stories in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for CBSNewYork.com. Mark joined the CBS New York team in 2019.

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