Jonathan Kraft was once a popular Las Vegas entertainer. He was aware of the "wow" factor exotic animals added to the show. A lot of entertainers also used animals in their acts, but not all had the same respect and compassion for their animals as Kraft. Their behind-the-scenes treatment was something he couldn't stomach.
Becoming Part of the Solution
"My contract was up at the Aladdin, so I looked at the whole situation," he says. "I didn't like the exploitation part of the animals. Sure, they looked wonderful on stage for the 13 seconds they were there, but then it was back in the cage, back in the transport box and back to the facility where they were kept. This was on a daily basis and not really a life for the animal.
Actress Stephanie Powers Suggests Sanctuary
"One of my fans was Stephanie Powers. After one of my shows we were talking about the situation and she says, 'Why don't you start a non-profit and start rescuing animals?"
Facility Built on Compassion, Love
Kraft received all kinds of well-meaning advice, but was determined to develop a facility embracing his philosophy about animal care.
"Rather than the heavy-handed approach that I've seen so many times, I wanted to handle animals through love, communication and calmness. I was very successful doing that with my own animals. I know it works because I'm still here and still alive.
"Animals are very intuitive and keen on people who try to do them harm. They are not unpredictable, they have very good memories about the people who abuse them. Some people don't believe that, but I know it to be fact."
Kraft first opened Keepers of the Wild Nature Park in a remote area of Arizona, below Hoover Dam and was there for six years. But the area was being developed for housing and his animals needed more space. Approximately two years ago he stumbled upon 175 acres of land in Valentine, Arizona, located right on Historic Route 66. Within 24 hours he bought the place, on Valentine's Day.
"It's right off the highway and has this canyon that lends itself to what we do," Kraft says. "We couldn't be in a better spot for what we do. It's a wonderful natural source to bring the people to the animals. This was a no-brainer."
Animals Right at Home in Natural Surroundings
The move has become a positive "paws up" experience for the animals as well. The sanctuary includes more than 20 tigers, a lion, wolves, leopards, a jaguar, coyotes, deer, an assortment of monkees, an ostrich, exotic birds, a tortoise, and a few livestock animals including a cow, duck, chicken, and a few pot-bellied pigs.
The place is thriving and the animals are happy living in natural surroundings with room to roam--tigers get to be tigers, nothing else is expected from them.
Where the Animals Come from
While their stories have a happy ending, their lives didn't start out that way. Many of the animals come with a story that isn't so pretty. All of the animals are in a safe place where they can mend and move on from a past of neglect, malnutrition and abuse.
For example:
Some monkees at Keepers were confiscated as part of a warehouse raid in Phoenix, Arizona by law enforcement. One little guy named Carlos looks like he's rudely sticking his tongue out at visitors, but all of his teeth were pulled out by his previous handler.
Many make their way to the sanctuary because their owners realized too late that a 100-pound tiger cub doesn't make a very good house pet.
Some residents arrive via stardom. Photographers use large cats in commercials and print campaigns but because of United States Department of Agriculture regulations, large cats can only be used in that capacity until they are six months old or weigh 80 pounds.
Some were rescued before they would have ended up as prey in canned hunts.
Good Photo Opportunities
Visitors can take see the wildlife up-close via guided tours or by walking the paths themselves. Each tour correlates with snack time for the animals.
Keepers of the Wild is located at 13441 E. Highway 66 (mile marker 87).
For more information, call 928-769-1800 or visit their official website, keepersofthewild.org.
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