3 minute read
Creature Connections
Fall into Adventure with The Northshore's Captivating Wildlife Encounters.
BY DONNA BUSH
AFTER SUMMER, our much-needed fall is finally here. The cooler weather is an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. There’s no shortage of both free and paid activities. Flip the page for activities across The Northshore.
A family favorite is to visit the 900-acre wildlife preserve, Global Wildlife Center, for a little taste of Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, South America, India and Europe all rolled into one. Get up close with approximately 30 species, including giraffes, zebras, kangaroos, bison, a variety of deer and more. Choose between a guided wagon tour or a private tour in a 4x4 Pinzgauer to feel like you are on an African safari. Buy a bucket of food to entice these stunning creatures closer for a selfie.
For a bit more of a Louisiana wildlife experience, check out Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery, with a goal of sharing the history and conservation of the American alligator. Its tours are both educational and entertaining, allowing you to feed, touch and hold an alligator.
To see alligators in their natural habitat, hop on an amazing Honey Island Swamp Tour for a boat ride deep into a peaceful, serene cypress swamp along the Old Pearl River. Enjoy the scenic, moss-draped oak trees and old growth cypress. Keep an eye out for a barred owl staring at you from his hunting perch, a bald eagle soaring overhead, raccoons fishing for dinner or a wild boar on the hunt. Even with the cooler weather, you may still see large alligators sunning themselves on a log or the shore. Swamp tours typically last two hours and provide the opportunity to see and photograph various waterfowl, wading birds, osprey, deer, nutria, beavers, turtles and more.
For an alternative to boating, drive into Honey Island Swamp via the Louisiana Pearl River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) just north of Slidell. You will need a Louisiana Wildlife Management Area permit, which can be purchased online at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/wmarefugeconservation-area-licenses-and-permits. Similar wildlife experiences may occur on a drive or a hike through the WMA. Regardless of your mode of transportation in the swamp, you are not likely to see the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster!
For free wildlife and outdoor adventures, hike or paddle Big Branch Marsh or Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuges.
These creature connections not only entertain but also educate visitors on the importance of conservation and the beauty of wildlife. Grab your camera, pack your sense of adventure, and head outdoors to make the most of the cooler weather and the incredible biodiversity that The Northshore has to offer.
