Shreveport invites kids to enjoy the animals

Watch in amazement as giant alligators feed, wrestle and swim in a natural habitat at Gators and Friends Alligator Park and Exotic Zoo. Or, visit the park’s petting zoo and walk among tame and cuddly miniature horses, kangaroos, ring-tailed lemurs, deer, goats, llamas, camel, capybara (the largest rodent in the world), and even Scottish cows.

Chimp Haven is a national chimpanzee sanctuary whose mission is to provide lifetime care for chimpanzees that have been retired from medical research, the entertainment industry or are no longer wanted as pets. Each year the facility hosts Chimp Haven Discovery Days – a free event that allows amazing views of the chimpanzees from the trails that line their natural habitat.

Yogie and Friends Exotic Cat Sanctuary is a unique, exotic home for rescued cougars, leopards, lions, tigers and other interesting big cats. The mission of the Frierson sanctuary is to provide a stress-free, safe environment for the animals to live in while educating the public about the wondrous creatures.

Located in Haughton, Hidden Oak Farms offers a family-friendly atmosphere giving young and old fun-seekers alike a chance to get up-close and personal with a variety of animals including camels, zebras, kangaroos, pot-belly pigs, peacocks, alpacas, miniature horses and donkeys. Play on the Rainbow Play System, build sandcastles in the sand lot or take a ride on the Moo Moo Choo Choo.