We sat watching TV last night and Jack and Emily got hooked on to a programme on Animal Planet about a rescued Black Leopard called Eddie who was taken to a wildlife sanctuary near Denver. Well as they were watching Mark was surfing the Internet and checked on the whereabouts of this sanctuary and as it turned out it was very close to the route we were taking down to Colorado Springs. So without telling Jack and Emily we set off with the intention of fitting this in to our journey. This of course did not prove so easy as they don’t really encourage visitors, but after asking directions two or three times we eventually find the dirt track leading up to the sanctuary.
The Colorado Wildlife Conservation Sanctuary is a fascinating place. It is not a zoo but is a rescue centre for exotic animals, rescued from small zoos and private owners who have abused their animals or simply were unable to look after them. You are able to view some of the animals from raised walkways and platforms – other
areas are large enclosures which you can only really see from a distance. There are a tremendous amount of animals here – we counted over 70 tigers alone, each with its own sad story. Some of the tigers are in pairs in small enclosures, but over time they are given the social skills to live in an environment with other tigers and they are released into much larger enclosures. As well as tigers there are African lions, leopards, mountain 
lions, wolves and bears. These are all taken care of through the dedication of the staff and donations – the running cost is over $1 million a year. Jack and Emily loved the experience and got to see the leopard on the Animal Planet film and the owner of the sanctuary. Emily also made a friend with the owner’s dogs – a friendly pair of boxers.Moving on we decided to take a tour through downtown Denver – with the intent of finding another Roadfood book recommended store. Yes it was ice cream time again (after all the temperature was in the 70s!!). Our craving satiated we carried on towards our destination, Cascade, just to the north west of Colorado Springs. It is dark by the time we arrive at our small cabin but we find manage to find it and settle in for the night.
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