

Today, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is operated as a family-owned wildlife safari park, owned and managed by Tobias’ six children and grandson. Additional exhibits are planned as part of major renovations, including the construction of a giraffe exhibit. Tobias Museum and Education Center was opened. In 2011, the park opened a new Reptile and Exotics section, and in 2017, the J.R. The park rebounded in the 21st century, however, with a number of major expansions, including the renovation of black bear and tiger habitats in 2006 and the installation of a facility for African lions and baboons in 2008, the latter of which received the Mid-Atlantic BX Craftsmanship Award. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the park endured a number of operational hardships, including a 1989 tornado that destroyed several park structures and a 1992 bovine tuberculosis outbreak that led to a major animal restocking.

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park opened to the public as a wildlife safari attraction in 1965. Throughout the 1960s, he converted his family’s home property in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania into a wildlife park facility, constructing a number of man-made stream-fed lakes throughout the 150-acre property. Following his military service, Tobias conceived of the idea of creating a drive-through wildlife habitat using school buses as “safari” tour vehicles. Though he had initially planned to study biology and agriculture in college, he joined the Marine corps in 1943 and served in World War II before starting an excavation business, relegating his interest in animals to a hobby pursuit. Tobias, who held a lifelong interest in rare and non-native wildlife and agriculture. Lake Tobias Wildlife Park was the vision of J.R. Located in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park offers guided safari tours through a 150-acre wildlife preserve, showcasing animals from six continents in recreated natural habitats. American Helicopter Museum and Education CenterĪttraction Spotlight: Lake Tobias Wildlife Park.The 22 Fun Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Pennsylvania according to local experts are: What is 22 Fun Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Pennsylvania known for? What are the 22 Fun Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Pennsylvania?
