Ararat Ridge Zoo

About Ararat Ridge Zoo

Ararat Ridge Zoo is the animal collection located on the grounds of the Ark Encounter at 1 Ark Encounter Drive in Williamstown, Kentucky. According to the Ark Encounter website, the property sits just west of the intersection of KY-36 and I-75, at exit 154. The Ark Encounter is described on Wikipedia as an attraction operated by Answers in Genesis, a young Earth creationist organization, and it opened on July 7, 2016. The zoo is not a separate admission: the Ark Encounter's zoo page states that the zoo, the Children's Zoo, the kangaroo walkabout and the animal shows are included with Ark Encounter admission, while camel encounters carry an additional cost.

The zoo's own page introduces it as a place to visit animals of all shapes and sizes and says it is fun for all ages and provides "biblical teaching on the animal kingdom." The text of the zoo's species pages and show descriptions reflects that framing. For example, the zebra page describes zebras, donkeys and horses as belonging to a single created kind, and the animal-show description refers to learning what animal kinds are and how to be good stewards of nature.

The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

History

An opening date for Ararat Ridge Zoo itself is not stated on the Ark Encounter's zoo page. The setting is documented: the Ark Encounter opened in Williamstown on July 7, 2016, and Wikipedia notes that there is a zoo called Ararat Ridge Zoo on the grounds and that live animals are sometimes brought into the Ark exhibit from the zoo. Wikipedia describes the Ark itself as a structure 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high, with exhibits arranged on three decks; the zoo sits outside it on the same grounds.

Exhibits and habitats

The zoo's page describes a walk through mammals, birds and reptiles "from every corner of the planet." Its animal listing names a collection that includes the following, as shown on the zoo's site.

Mammals: African crested porcupine, aoudad sheep, binturong, giant anteater, Hoffmann's two-toed sloth, ring-tailed lemur, and a zebroid. The zoo's zebroid page explains that a zebroid is a zebra crossed with a horse or a donkey and presents zebroids as showing that horses, donkeys and zebras belong to a single created kind.

Birds: African crowned crane, bald eagle, black vulture, curl-crested araçari, greater rhea, laughing kookaburra, marabou stork and Von der Decken's hornbill.

Reptiles: African spurred tortoise, green anaconda, lace monitor, northern caiman lizard and tiger rat snake.

Several named areas are listed on the zoo page. The kangaroo walkabout features a red kangaroo mob, and during select times visitors can walk through the exhibit with no barriers. Junior's Zoo Adventure is described as a place to play with friendly goats in the Goat Barn and to look in on veterinary staff in the Animal Health Lab. The zoo page also lists a Children's Zoo.

Conservation and programs

The zoo page describes daily animal shows at which visitors meet animal ambassadors up close. According to that page, the 20-minute, family-friendly programs cover "what animal kinds are, why God created some animals with sharp teeth and claws, and how to be good stewards of nature."

The Ark Encounter site also lists behind-the-scenes animal experiences, and states that portions of the proceeds support the animals in the zoo's care as well as related conservation efforts. The experiences named on that page include meeting the Hoffmann's two-toed sloth, feeding and photographing kangaroos and wallabies, and meeting some of the birds of prey up close. A separate camel encounter lets guests feed a camel lettuce and pose for a photo.

Planning your visit

Because the zoo is part of the Ark Encounter, planning follows the Ark Encounter's visitor process. The Ark Encounter's plan-your-visit page lists the arrival steps: present a parking pass or pay at the parking booth, park and go through the public safety security check, ride the shuttle to the Welcome Center on the main Ark grounds, then get tickets or have pre-purchased tickets scanned. Ticket and parking details are on the Ark Encounter's website.

As listed on the Ark Encounter's hours page, the attraction is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays, with opening and closing times that change by season; from early January to early March 2027 the page lists a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule. Times are given in Eastern Time, and the page says gates for incoming traffic close 30 minutes before closing. The zoo page directs visitors to the daily schedule for show times, and the plan-your-visit page says extended hours are available on a seasonal basis.

The attraction rules page states that all visitors pass through a security screening checkpoint. It says pets are not permitted, that service animals are admitted, and that comfort, therapy and emotional support animals do not meet the definition of a service animal and are not permitted. Outside food and beverages are not allowed, with an allergy exception process described on the rules page, and unopened plastic bottles of water are permitted. Balloons, balls, drones, bicycles, skateboards and scooters are listed among prohibited items, and children under 14 are to be supervised and accompanied at all times.