Walk on the Wild Side

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary and Creekwater Alpaca Farms offer up-close encounters with a variety of animals

BY KATJA RIDDERBUSCH

Want to watch a herd of majestic North American bison grazing? Observe an exotic serval cat elegantly climbing a narrow branch? Mingle with gentle alpacas? No need to travel out West, embark on an African safari, or hike the Andes Mountains of Peru. With two unique animal attractions—Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary and Creekwater Alpaca Farms—Gwinnett County is a haven for wildlife lovers of all ages.

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary

When you enter Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary (YRWS) in Lilburn, formerly Yellow River Game Ranch, expect to be immersed in “a sanctuary for animals, but also for people.” That was the plan when Jonathan Ordway, and his wife, Katy, purchased the ranch in 2018.

Today, about 170 animals of 33 different species live on 25 acres of wooded land in natural habitats with rocks, ponds, ropes, and trees. Among the residents are all-time crowd favorites like BlueBeary, an adventurous young black bear; Toes, Meeko, and Rocket, three playful raccoons; and Hank, a friendly turkey. A family of peacocks freely roams the grounds, often stopping visitors on the trails to show off their colorful plumage.

Sue and Sid. Coming soon is a wolf habitat in the center of the park.

The next big mission is to bring more field trips to YRWS. Ordway remembers visiting the old Game Ranch as a kid with his school. “Now, as the pandemic moves into the rearview mirror, we want to focus on teaching children about some of Georgia’s native—and not-sonative—animals,” says Ordway. He and his team have developed new educational programs that they can’t wait to bring to the kids of Gwinnett County and beyond.

Creekwater Alpaca Farms

Creekwater Alpaca Farms is located on 40 acres in Snellville. Long-time Atlanta resident Nance Sturm purchased the land in the 1970s, built the farm in the ’80s, and started the program in the ’90s, initially breeding, showing, and selling alpacas all over the country.

Today, there are about 100 animals on the farm—more than 60 alpacas, plus horses, goats, potbelly pigs, and bunnies. Most are rescue animals, says Melinda Hamby, the farm’s office manager.

Just recently, Cheyenne and Faith, a mother-and-daughter alpaca duo, were given to the farm by their previous owners. Sadly, some people just drop unwanted critters in a nearby parking lot, which is how Mister Petunia became a resident. The potbelly pig was found in 2021 when he was about a month old and earned his name when a staff member said he was as cute as a flower. “He has a great personality,” says Hamby. “And he knows how to play us.”

Visitors may tour the farm in small groups and experience the animals up close. Everybody receives a bag of seeds to feed the goats and alpacas in their corrals.

Plan a Visit

Tickets for weekday and weekend tours at Creekwater Alpaca Farms can be purchased online and start at $12. The gift shop offers alpaca fiber clothing and accessories. Admission to the YRWS is $20 for adults, $12 for children ages three to 12, and free for kids two and younger. Visitors can buy feed cups and get up close with bunnies, goats, and sheep in the petting yard. For hours and more information, visit cwafarm.com and yellowriverwildlifesanctuary.com