Black Pine Animal Park

If you're in the mood to see some animal species not native to Indiana, you might want to check out the Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in Albion. This country park is not a zoo but a refuge for no-longer wanted exotic animals, abandoned or cast-off from elsewhere.

Remote, in a lovely wooded setting, Black Pine is open daily in the summer. Other times of the year, tours can be scheduled by appointment.

The cages are not state-of-the-art, but many of the animals are close up and easy to view - there was also lots of nice shade on the paths, which really helped cut down on the heat. In one area, the only chimpanzee in Indiana, a retired circus performer, is housed indoors. Work on his large outdoor play yard is ongoing, as Black Pine raises enough money to finish the structure. In the meantime, the chimp has to stay in a building all the time. It's obvious housing some of these big, smart, strong primates must be very expensive.

It makes me think of a capriciousness and ego that comes with the human species. The life-long implications of capturing and breeding. How poignant to see them now turned out; as much as I appreciate animals for education, to me they simply don't belong in cages. But this is a world-wide tradition and industry that is way beyond me.

I am most struck by Chui, a black African leopard. He is the most impressive, perfect, wonderful thing. His eyes glow, the hint of the leopard spots can barely be seen under his black color. Yet, he seems so reduced, so resentful to be there - it's painful to watch. I feel sorry he can't somehow be released into the wild. The brochure states he was rescued from the pet trade.

There is a building full of reptiles, and some large parrots and macaws- turtles and these large birds can sometimes live 100 years. The implications of that means some of these creatures have had to suffer through a series of owners.

The park has its up moments -one is a barnyard area with a dwarf horse, deer, ostrich, rhea and emu. Although these are behind a fence, visitors can purchase food and feed them. This kind of thing is always a crowd pleaser. There are other wayward pets here such as a couple of pigs, and a seven-foot-tall, creaky camel that used to be featured in the Ringling Bros & Barnum and Bailey Circus (explain that last title to me). So big he's scary.

In part two of this article, soon to be posted, I'll tell you about Nala, a rescued African Lioness that was the hugest I have ever seen, at 500 pounds. Up close and almost personal. See you soon.