Popcorn Park Animal Refuge is a small non-profit
animal refuge and sanctuary located in
Forked River, New Jersey
Forked River () is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Lacey Township, in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. , within
Lacey Township. According to the Associated Humane Societies, the refuge is "a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, exotic and farm animals, and birds." The refuge has programs to educate visitors about animals and their environments and offers hundreds of rescued dogs and cats for adoption, in their separate adoption building. The name "Popcorn Park" was adopted due to the small fee visitors pay to the entrance which grants them entry. No feeding of the animals is allowed since 2022.
History
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge was established in 1977 as a wildlife refuge for exotic and farm animals that were abused, ill, injured, handicapped, elderly, or exploited. The refuge first came to be because of an injured raccoon. Through the years, this non-profit organization has taken care of thousands of domestic and exotic animals thanks to the donations of individuals who want to contribute to the continued success of this refuge. The refuge was once home to a large elephant which was rescued from a zoo in Mexico. Upon the elephant passing, her enclosure became home to several llamas who enjoy the open space.
Attractions
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge has over 200 animals including
Bengal tigers,
Siberian tigers, African
lion
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'' native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; short, rounded head; round ears; and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. It is sexually dimorphi ...
s,
cougar
The cougar (''Puma concolor'') is a large Felidae, cat native to the Americas. Its Species distribution, range spans from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes in South America and is the most widespread of any large wild terrestrial mamm ...
s,
American black bear
The American black bear (''Ursus americanus''), also called simply a black bear or sometimes a baribal, is a medium-sized bear endemic to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species. American black bear ...
s, an
Arabian camel from the
Rough Point
Rough Point is one of the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, now open to the public as a museum. It is an English Manorial style home designed by architectural firm Peabody & Stearns for Frederick William Vanderbilt. Construction o ...
estate of Doris Duke, and numerous species of
monkey
Monkey is a common name that may refer to most mammals of the infraorder Simiiformes, also known as the simians. Traditionally, all animals in the group now known as simians are counted as monkeys except the apes, which constitutes an incomple ...
s, (including four baboons)
fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelv ...
es, and
white-tailed deer.
Princess, the camel, died February 2, 2014.
Attack
Park animals suffered an attack in May 2003, when three teenagers, all 18 years old, killed three
ducks, three
emus and two
rheas. The teens were arraigned and held on $50,000 bail a week later. Strong measures to protect all of the animals were already in place, but after the attack the animals received even stronger means of protection from anyone who would wish to harm them. The sanctuary is now equipped with an alarm system which surrounds the entire perimeter, including a camera system to protect the animal after the zoo closes each night.
Cymbals Eat Guitars, an American rock band, reference the attack on their 2014 track "2 Hip Soul".
References
External links
*
Popcorn Park Animal RefugeForked River, New Jersey - Popcorn Park Animal Refuge
roadsideamerica.com
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Animal sanctuaries
Lacey Township, New Jersey
Tourist attractions in Ocean County, New Jersey
Zoos in New Jersey
1977 establishments in New Jersey