Little Ponderosa Zoo, Pt. 1
Whether it’s a Red Kangaroo, a Dromedary Camel or a native black bear, it’s easy to get in touch with your wild side here in East Tennessee. For the next few posts I’m giving you ideas for inexpensive day trips to the area’s many animal attractions.
Hidden away in the hills of Anderson County, tigers, camels and lemurs are catching the attention of thousands of people each year. The Little Ponderosa Zoo littleponderosazoo.com/index.html grew out of James Cox’s passion for animals. After years of providing pony rides and petting zoos at local fairs and events, he finally opened up his farm to the public.Little Ponderosa Zoo – Clinton, TN
Little Ponderosa is located just off US 25-W between Clinton and Lake City. Signs along the road guide you right to the doors of the Red Barn where you get your tickets which are just $8 a person.
Once inside, you’ll see a variety of wildlife giving you a taste of what’s to follow. There are monkeys, a camel, exotic birds and a variety of snakes and other reptiles in “the barn.” All are in close proximity to you and some you can even reach out and touch
What’s outside the barn is actually the biggest reason to visit Little Ponderosa. As soon as you get outside you’ll see goats on your right yearning for your attention. To the left are Lemurs, the fuzzy black and white creatures made famous in the “Madagascar” films.
Just a few yards down the path are the pride and joy of the Zoo, Gunther and Gebel. These two playful Siberian tigers are named after James Cox’s animal trainer idol, Gunther Gebel-Williams of Ringling Brothers fame. Little Ponderosa is one of only a handful of facilities in the state licensed to house big cats. Although you can’t reach out and touch Gunther and Gebel, they are a lot of fun to watch.
From the tiger cage you continue on a gravel path that takes you past the main attractions. Along this big circle path, you can reach out, pet and feed dozens of animals including llamas, camels, donkeys and zebras. This interaction with the animals is what makes Little Ponderosa stand out from the rest something that makes founder James Cox proud. “I want people to interact. I want the animals to interact,” he said.
Little Ponderosa Zoo also features a room for private parties and a pavilion for picnicking, so bring a sack lunch and make it a day.
