Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a nonprofit conservation park spread across 1,800 acres of Texas Hill Country near Glen Rose, about an hour southwest of Fort Worth. Visitors drive their own vehicles along a scenic road through open pastures where giraffes, zebras, antelope, and endangered species roam freely, offering an African-safari-style experience without leaving Texas.
The land began as a private exotic game ranch purchased by Fort Worth businessman Tom Mantzel in 1973, who opened it to the public in 1984 to help fund an emerging endangered-species breeding program. Today Fossil Rim is recognized as the headquarters of the Conservation Centers for Species Survival consortium and runs one of the most successful cheetah breeding programs in the world, with more than 300 cubs raised on-site.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Glen Rose, Texas
- Opened: 1984 (public opening); nonprofit status established 1987
- Size: About 1,800 acres
- Species/Animal Count: Over 1,000 animals from around 50 species
- Annual Visitors: Not publicly disclosed
- Famous For: One of the world’s most successful cheetah breeding programs
The Drive-Through Experience
Unlike a traditional walk-through zoo, Fossil Rim is explored primarily by car along a winding road of roughly ten miles that cuts through open range habitats. Giraffes, ostriches, zebras, and various antelope species often approach vehicles directly, and guests can purchase feed to hand-feed animals along the route. The park also offers a walk-through petting pasture, nature trails, guided safari tours, and overnight lodging options including bunkhouses and bungalows for a more immersive stay.
Conservation and Endangered Species
Fossil Rim’s core mission is breeding and reintroducing endangered species. Its cheetah program is internationally regarded, and the center has also worked to restore populations of the scimitar-horned oryx, including releasing a herd back into the wild in Chad in 2016, and the Attwater’s prairie chicken, one of North America’s most endangered birds. As the founding host of the Conservation Centers for Species Survival consortium, Fossil Rim collaborates with other accredited facilities on shared research and breeding efforts for at-risk wildlife.
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Fossil Rim Wildlife Center FAQs
Where is Fossil Rim Wildlife Center located?
Fossil Rim is located near Glen Rose, Texas, in Somervell County, roughly an hour southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Can you drive your own car through Fossil Rim?
Yes, guests typically drive their own vehicles along the park’s scenic road through open-range habitats, though guided tour options are also available.
What animals can you see at Fossil Rim?
The park is home to over 1,000 animals from about 50 species, including giraffes, cheetahs, rhinoceroses, zebras, addax, oryx, and red wolves.
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Photo: Res2216firestar / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.