West Coast Game Park
Bella the lion cub
Map
43°00′36″N 124°24′55″W / 43.009957°N 124.415284°W / 43.009957; -124.415284
Date opened1968 (1968)
Location46914 Highway 101
Bandon, Oregon, United States
Land area21 acres (8.5 ha)[citation needed]
No. of animals450[1]
No. of species75[2][3]
Annual visitors60,000 [4]
OwnerBob Tenney
Websitewestcoastgameparksafari.com

The West Coast Game Park Safari is a walk-through safari park in Bandon, Oregon, United States. It opened in 1968,[1] and includes snow leopards, African lions, Bengal tigers, emu, capybara, and cougars.[3][5]

The park is a petting zoo and captive breeding program, including endangered species such as the snow leopard.[6] They sell and loan big cats to other parks and zoos.[6]

West Coast Game Park Safari is not AZA Accredited.[7] They are a roadside zoo which lets the public interact with big cats, similar to those featured on the Tiger King series. They had multiple USDA violations in 2015 & 2016, including 4 critical violations in their June 22, 2016 inspection report.[8] The critical violations included mishandling adult & baby animals, as well as shooting 2 of their own bears.[8] In 2020 they were listed on PETA's Highway Hellholes: Roadside Zoos on the Blacklist.[9]

In 1985, Bob Tenney, the park owner, stated the game park received 60,000 visitors per year.[4]

Two American black bears from the game park were bought in 2001 and 2002 by Baylor University, whose mascot is the Baylor Bears.[10]

On May 18, 2021, West Coast Game Park Safari was featured in the Showcase on The Price Is Right.[11]

As of May 15, 2025, West Coast Game Safari is subject to an ongoing criminal investigation led by the Oregon State Police, focusing on alleged violations related to animal welfare, permitting, licensing, and business practices. Multiple search warrants were executed at the facility in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies. The park is currently closed and will remain so for the duration of the investigation.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "About Our Park". West Coast Game Park Safari. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  2. ^ "Creatures Tamer at Bandon Park". The Register-Guard. June 24, 1190. p. 30. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Kuechle, Jeff (April 9, 2006). "Combing the Coast - More Outdoors (advertorial)". The Oregonian. p. Special 26.
  4. ^ a b "Game Park's Owner Opposes Funding for Wildlife Safari". The Register-Guard. December 21, 1985. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  5. ^ "Getting to Know You (picture caption)". The Oregonian. April 3, 2006. p. B02.
  6. ^ a b Griffith, John (March 14, 1990). "Endangered Leopards Thrive in Bandon Game Park". The Oregonian. p. B02.
  7. ^ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums | AZA". www.aza.org. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "APHIS Public Search Tool". aphis-efile.force.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  9. ^ "Highway Hellholes: Roadside Zoos on the Blacklist". PETA. June 25, 2010. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  10. ^ "Baylor University: Baylor Bear Program: FAQ". Baylor University. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  11. ^ Watch The Price Is Right Season 49 Episode 118: 5/18/2021 - Full show on CBS, archived from the original on May 19, 2021, retrieved May 19, 2021
  12. ^ "OSP Investigation Leads To Search Warrant Service At West Coast Game Park Safari Near Bandon". FlashAlert Newswire. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
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