Wild Acres

Even without the capybaras, my visit to Wild Acres would have been one of the most memorable parts of my recent trip to Mississippi.

I've always loved zoos.

I've also always loved petting zoos.

Wild Acres is both.

For obvious reasons, some of the animals are not pettable.

Still, we were able to get very close to them.

Our guide didn't touch the hyena, but she did feed her carrots and celery through the fence.

The hyena really seemed to enjoy her snacks.

And now I want a hyena!

Other animals that the guide interacted with but we did not included monkeys...

and lemurs.

Although we did not go inside their enclusures, we were given permission to pet the Patagonian maras,

the caracal...

and the red kangaroo provided they came up to the fence.

My second hands-on kangaroo encounter this year. Who would've ever thought it?

Our guide held the coatimundi for us while we petted her.

I got to rub her tummy, which made both of us very happy.

The animals we got to interact with the most were Tyson and Sanders, the capybaras...

and Lady Gaga, the porcupine.

In both cases, our group was instructed to enter the enclosure and sit down. Once seated, we were given snacks. Then the animals were released.

They know the drill. 

They came right over and started working the crowd.

Here he comes.

Closer.

One picture please!

Thank you, friend. Here's your reward.

In addition to the zoo animals, there were also a number of farm/pet animals including goats,

chickens,

geese,

cows,

one horse...

and a three legged hound dog.

Those were all pettable, providing they wanted to be petted.

There is one more animal I need to show you, but he deserves a post of his own.

If - like me - you're someone who wishes every zoo was a petting zoo, Wild Acres is the place for you. I am so glad I got spend some time there!