Benjamin Clancy is the Illinois and Indiana writer at Only In Your State, a doctoral candidate at UNC Chapel Hill in Communication, and an artistic type who has attended the Vermont Studio Center residency in poetry writing and makes something like music as "little other." They grew up in Austin, Texas and currently live in Chicago, IL with their partner, two dogs, and a cat. Get in touch by emailing bclancy@onlyinyourstate.com.
The Hoosier State has always home to a variety of impressive and uncommon animals. Its climate and open spaces also make it an ideal state for parks and preserves for animals that host injured, endangered, or have lost their natural habitats. At these five wild destinations, see the exotic animals of your dreams while helping do your part to ensure that they have a real future.
Most of The United States may no longer be the place where the buffalo roam, but at Wild Winds Buffalo preserve it still is. You'll get so close to these majestic creatures that, when it's time to go, you'll be tearfully saying, "Bye, son." Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve is located at 6975 N Ray Rd, Fremont, IN 46737.
Black Pine Nature Preserve may be home to the most diverse animals on this list, from this noble and fierce Bengal tiger to Miska the kinkajou. The kinkajou, its own unique kind of animal, looks and acts like a cross between a monkey and a small bear. Fun fact: I once met a kinkajou while traveling in Panama. It bit my nose, which was completely worth it. Black Pine Nature Preserve is located at 1426 W 300 N, Albion, IN 46701.
Indiana is home to at least two wolf preserves you have to visit if you like to live life on the wild side. Or, when it comes to wolf puppies, the wildly cute side. Wolf Park and Wolf Creek Habitat are two separate conservation efforts working to ensure wolves don't disappear from the Hoosier state. Wolf Park is located at East 800 North, Battle Ground, IN.
So, if you want to keep dancing with wolves after visiting Wolf Park, head over to Wolf Creek Habitat and Preserve. Here, you will meet the honorable ancestors of man's best friend and other unique faces, like this handsome fox fellow. Wolf Creek Habitat and Rescue is located at 14099 Wolf Creek Rd, Brookville, IN 47012.
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5. Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest (Valparaiso)
Otherwise known as Taltree Arboretum, Gabis Arboretum lets visitors encounter a wide variety of plant and animal life on the picturesque Indiana campus of Purdue Northwest. This gorgeous bird of prey is just one example of the many creatures who call this lovely arboretum home.
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest is located at West 100 North, Valparaiso, IN.
6. Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area (Medaryville)
At the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Center, you'll encounter an uncommon species that isn't unknown to Indiana: the sandhill crane. Named for the region in Nebraska, it's not unusual to find these cranes in Indiana. What makes Jasper-Pulsaki unique is the sheer numbers of sandhill cranes that congregate here, sometimes thousands at a time. Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area is located at 5822 Fish and Wildlife Ln, Medaryville, IN 47957.
So go wild and explore the more uncommon side of Indiana’s animal life. These preserves offer guests rare encounters with endangered and exotic creatures along with animals from here in the Hoosier state. They’ll let you feel like you’ve done some good with your Indiana galavanting by supporting the conservation of these singular species.
What other unusual animals are hiding in Indiana? We love hearing your stories and seeing your photos. Leave us a comment!
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