FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Mindy Bianca
212-724-7783, ext. 2
mindy@gilliesandzaiser.com
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Welcomes New Lion Cub to Its Wildlife Adventure Program
FARMINGTON, PA. (April 4, 2016) – Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a luxury resort destination situated on 2,000 acres of southwestern Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, proudly announces the arrival of a bouncing baby … cub!
Kiwi, a six-month-old African lion, has joined the family of exotic animals at the resort’s Wildlife Academy, which was established in 2006 with a mission to provide memorable, educational experiences for its guests.
Kiwi is a playful, active female cub who now weighs 45 pounds. She came to Nemacolin about two months ago from a private zoo in Florida and is currently at home in the animal nursery at Nemacolin’s Wildlife Adventure.
Resort guests can take staff-guided or self-guided tours of the nursery, where other residents include an alligator, badger, fennec foxes, kinkajou, porcupine, sloth and tortoise. On Saturdays, visitors to the center can also make toys, treats and puzzles for the facility’s residents, then watch and learn as the animals play with and eat those treats as part of their enrichment program.
African lions are the second largest of the world’s wild felines (right behind tigers). They live in groups called “prides,” in which the faster and more agile females do most of the hunting and the larger males do the protecting. Lions are the most social of all the cat species, so when she’s old enough, Kiwi will join Nemacolin’s existing pride of four lions. The resort is also home to four other feline species, including two tigers, a mountain lion, a fishing cat and a bobcat.
Visitors can take a walk through the resort’s animal habitat at their own pace and at no charge, and resort guests can participate in “Louie’s African Train Ride,” an hour-long, family-focused tour of the animal habitats that includes visits to bison, hyenas, red sheep, tigers, zebras … and the lions, of course! Another option is the interactive “Safari Tour,” in which a small group of visitors gets a 90-minute, up-close look at some of the resort’s most exotic residents.
Nemacolin proudly offers a full range of exceptional travel experiences, and its Wildlife Academy supports that goal. It’s estimated that 75 percent of resort guests participate in one of the Academy’s programs during their stay.
“My father began the Wildlife Academy 10 years ago with the inspiration to share his love for animals with others,” says Maggie Hardy Magerko, the resort’s president and owner. “His passion and commitment to their habitat and well-being are part of the mission we still carry out today. With many of the animals on our property being rescued from failing zoos, my father believed making them part of our family would leave lasting impressions on our guests, provide an educational experience and foster the belief in conservation."
Nemacolin’s commitment to the welfare of animals is a top priority. The resort’s animal programs are monitored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Nemacolin’s trained zookeeper staff believes in providing loving and knowledgeable care to all of the resort’s animal residents. A veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals, Dr. Jonathan Bergmann, works with the resort staff to ensure the health and safety of all the animal residents.
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About Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Nemacolin is one of North America’s premier luxury resort destinations. Situated on nearly 2,000 acres in Farmington, Pennsylvania, Nemacolin features 320 luxurious guestrooms, suites, townhouses and private upscale homes. The resort offers 36 holes of championship golf, including a Pete Dye-designed course, as well as an internationally acclaimed spa collection. Nemacolin boasts 15 restaurants and lounges, including Lautrec, a Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant experience. For meetings and events, Nemacolin’s 32,000 square feet of conference space includes three ballrooms, a lecture hall and 25 meeting rooms. For additional information, please visit our website at Nemacolin.com or call 866-399-6957.