Coastal Wilds

About Coastal Wilds

Coastal Wilds is an animal park at 34215 Peppers Corner Road in Frankford, Delaware. It grew out of Barn Hill Preserve Delaware, which began as a mobile education provider. The park describes itself as a zoological park accredited by the Zoological Association of America, and it lists the USDA among its affiliations. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The park is built around guided visits. According to its FAQ, a ticket is required and guests are not permitted to walk around unattended, because the exhibits are designed for guide supervision. Its website describes the experience as up-close and hands-on, with educators sharing information on animal conservation. Its website lists more than 40 species, including otters, kangaroos and sloths.

History

The park's about page traces it to Barn Hill Preserve Delaware, which started as a mobile education provider, and states that its owner has led the organization since 2012. The park's education offerings today include the Mobile Zoo Crew, which brings live animal ambassadors to schools.

The park also supports KSTR Wildlife Rescue, a Costa Rican sanctuary that its website says holds more than 50 species. According to the about page, KSTR is a United States 501(c)(3) organization whose projects include wildlife bridges for 22 species in Costa Rica and protection of sea turtle eggs from poachers. The same page says staff took part in Australian wildfire rescue efforts using drones.

Exhibits and habitats

The park's Meet Our Animals page lists the animal ambassadors by group. Mammals include Asian small-clawed otters, red kangaroos, Bennett's wallabies, two-toed sloths, a Eurasian lynx, capybaras, an aardvark, fennec foxes, dromedary and Bactrian camels, Watusi and Highland cattle, Grant's zebras, mini donkeys, prehensile-tailed porcupines, chinchillas, hedgehogs, tenrecs, guinea pigs, alpacas, goats and three-banded and six-banded armadillos. A spider monkey is listed as off exhibit.

Birds listed include spectacled owls, Eurasian eagle owls, a white-necked raven, a kookaburra, a curl-crested aracari, a lilac-crowned Amazon parrot, an umbrella cockatoo, rheas, American Pekin ducks, Rhode Island Red and Buff-Laced Polish roosters, Australorp chickens and peacocks.

Reptiles include sulcata and red-footed tortoises, an Asian water monitor, green iguanas, a blue-tongued skink, bearded dragons, a ball python and a corn snake. Named individuals on the park's homepage include Neptune and Poseidon, the otters, Charlie and Elliot, the sloths, Thor, a red kangaroo, and Sasha, a Eurasian lynx.

Outside the ticket booth, called The Outpost, the park runs G.P. Mining Co., a themed gem mining attraction where guests can pan for gemstones, fossils, arrowheads or seashells from purchased bags of rough material.

The park's website describes the grounds as concrete, grass and gravel surfaces with relatively flat terrain that is wheelchair accessible. Portable restrooms are provided.

Conservation and programs

Coastal Wilds states that it supports rescue, rehabilitation, release and restoration projects, and its homepage describes educators sharing insights on animal conservation during encounters.

Encounter Tours are guided experiences of about 90 minutes that include hands-on interaction with animal ambassadors. Add-on encounters let guests hand-feed sloths or capybaras, subject to animal ambassador availability as determined by animal care staff each day. The FAQ states that guests may not hold or touch the sloths.

The Ultimate Otter Swim combines the encounter tour, add-on encounters and a 45-minute otter swim, for a total of about three hours. An otter swim is also offered on its own, and a kid-friendly version is listed for ages 10 and up. The FAQ gives a minimum age of 16 for the standard swim, says the pool is heated, and notes that it closes if air temperatures fall to about 50 degrees. Jewelry, goggles, swim caps, water shoes and camera straps are not permitted in the pool, according to the FAQ, and there is no observation deck for bystanders.

Sippin' with Sloths, Kangaroo Yoga and Paint Night are listed as additional experiences. Special events listed include Locals Day, Spring Celebration, Heroes Day, Red White and Roo, Brews and Roos, Kanga-BOO!, Fall Festival and Pancakes with Santa.

The education page lists three programs. The Mobile Zoo Crew brings presentations of 30 to 45 minutes with up to five animals to schools. Field trips bring students to the park for an hour and a half: a 45-minute guided walking tour and 45 minutes of hands-on encounters, including the Kangaroo Walkabout. Junior Keeper Camp is a four-day program for ages 5 to 17 in three age groups, covering animal care, handling of smaller species and enrichment activities with the kangaroo mob.

Planning your visit

As listed on the park's website, Coastal Wilds is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 20 through January 1. Peak season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with daily tours; outside peak season tours run less often, and visitors are directed to the activity schedule. Tickets are sold online, and prices are on the park's website.

Every guest must complete a waiver before entering, and links are sent in confirmation emails. Guests are asked to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for check-in. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tours continue in rain, and lightning triggers an evacuation to safety. Smoking and vaping are not permitted within the park, and comfortable walking shoes are advised.

The FAQ states that outside animals, including dogs and service animals, are not allowed because of the live animals on site. Tickets are non-refundable, though credits for rescheduling may be issued with at least 24 hours notice. The park can be reached at 302-829-1548 or info@coastalwilds.org.