Discover the thrill of immersing yourself in nature and teaching others about the world around them. We are seeking motivated individuals who find invigoration in being outdoors year-round and have a genuine passion for educating and inspiring others.

At Safari West, you’ll become a part of a preserve that houses nearly 1,000 animals, with a diverse mammal population primarily originating from the African continent. Alongside these magnificent creatures, we are visited by native wildlife such as otters, osprey, and bald eagles, making every day a unique experience. Our safari tours operate year-round, allowing guests to indulge in a captivating three-hour adventure. For two hours, they’ll ride in an authentic open-air 1950s Dodge power wagon, immersing themselves in the safari experience. The remaining time is spent on a guided walking tour, where our knowledgeable guides lead guests through enchanting aviaries, alongside lively flamingo flocks, towering giraffes, majestic cheetahs, and habitats teeming with hyenas and monkeys, among other wonders.

We understand the importance of flexibility in work schedules, and that’s why we offer part-time and/or on-call positions to accommodate your needs. Join us at Safari West for an important informational seminar, where you’ll learn more about the endless possibilities and incredible experiences that await you.

Your journey begins here—join our Safari West team and become a catalyst for change in wildlife conservation. Together, we’ll create cherished memories and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

For additional information, please contact our Human Resources Team at HR@safariwest.com. There is no age restriction; we warmly welcome everyone. This position can be an excellent match for retirees who may not possess a conventional resume. It’s important to note that there are physical requirements for the job, including tasks such as opening and closing double gates and adapting to varying weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of both our team members and guests.

At Safari West, we are an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in our workforce.

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This year, each of our keepers had their photo taken with one of their favorite animals!

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30 years into this grand adventure we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come – and how far we can go. Today we not only entertain and educate thousands of wildlife enthusiasts each year, we also give back to our community in truly unique ways. We work closely with the Safari West Wildlife Foundation to provide an array of educational opportunities to underserved children everywhere. We also provide financial support to conservation organizations working to protect important species around the globe.

As we look ahead to the next 30 years, and beyond, it’s clear that our work will only grow increasingly important and relevant.  We are excited to be at the forefront of wildlife education and conservation, and grateful to work in a county and region that values these things as much as we do. Thank you for supporting us through our first 30 years, and for helping us preserve, share and celebrate the wonders of the natural world. We literally wouldn’t be here without you.

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We are thrilled to announce the birth of four bouncing baby warthog piglets, or as we like to call them, warthoglets! Mom and Dad (Njeiri and Pig Newton) are so proud of their three boisterous boys and gregarious girl, born at Safari West in early April. The timing could not have been better as our warthogs moved into a brand-new habitat in February, just in time to get their home ready for their new family! Njeri busied herself building a cozy nest out of grass and straw, and the new piglets spent the first few weeks of their lives snuggling in the nest. But, unlike their human counterparts, our warthoglets are ready to face the world not too long after being born. With their eyes open from birth, they start to leave the nest and explore after about 10 days, which is exactly what we witnessed. “Njeri is very protective of her litter and is doing a great job caring for her newborns,” stated Nikki Smith, animal caregiver at Safari west. “The three male and one female piglets are nursing regularly and appear to be thriving.” We love watching the warthoglets zipping around, exploring, and playing with each other as they get more comfortable with the habitat and their amazing new world. We invite you to come out and see these energetic little rascals in action with your own eyes!

More about Warthogs – Mark Pressler

Warthog piglets weigh only one to two pounds at birth, about 1% the size of their mom! The most common litter size is two to three piglets, but litter sizes can range anywhere between one and eight piglets. Warthog females have four mammary glands, so with our litter size of four, each piglet gets to nurse from its own mammary gland! We believe fewer nursing disputes between piglets that would occur with a larger litter size probably makes life a little easier for mom early on. The warthog piglets start eating solid foods at about two to three weeks of age and are fully weaned by the time they are five months old.

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They don’t get the attention that many of our other residents enjoy, but the warthogs at Safari West have always been some of our favorite creatures.

So, we’re thrilled to announce that our own Pig Newton, his mate Njeri, and their daughter Lucy (always in pig tails of course!) have a new habitat to call home. Located across from Antelope Valley and next to our Savannah, their new grassy patch of land features a boma (an African word for house or shelter), a water-filled wallow perfect for providing a protective mud coat for their skin, plus a warthog all-you-can-eat log pile buffet stuffed with tasty treats. Born omnivores, wild warthogs use their snouts and extra-long teeth to dig out and devour roots, mushrooms, and insects, so Pig Newton, Njeri, and Lucy will be sniffing out squash, zucchini and more, hidden in the log pile by their Safari West caregivers.

We invite you to come to celebrate their new digs. Our warthogs each have their own distinctive personality and enjoy everything from rambunctious play to wallowing in their wallow to just lounging idly. They are a delight to spend time with – come and see for yourself!

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Meet Jen Bates, Safari West Animal Care Specialist

Getting Up Close and Personal with our Lemurs! As told to Athena Rusha

Meet the Lemurs that Jen knows personally and cares for daily. Dad Ziggy and mom Betty are the parents of three boys, Zuri and Marley who are a year old and the new baby born April 7, 2021. They all have different personalities, says Jen, that seem to go with their appearance.

The black markings around Marley’s eyes are pointy, so he looks a little wild. Of the two youngsters Marley is much more active and inquisitive than Zuri, who is calmer and more cautious. If Marley sees something new, he will immediately investigate; Zuri will follow him a short time later.

Betty is definitely the boss of the troop. Ziggy defers to her; he waits until she says its okay to eat. She sometimes shares her food with him, but he always shares with her. Jen says that Ziggy is one of the most laid -back lemurs she has seen. He is calm and patient with the boys, too.

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