California wildlife preserve to become nonprofit after 50 years
Safari West will transition from a private business to a nonprofit public benefit corporation to secure its future.
Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife preserve in Sonoma County, is set to convert from a privately held business to a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. The transition aims to increase efforts in conservation, research, and education while keeping the property open to the public.
The preserve, which opened to the public in 1993, currently houses over 900 animals. The collection includes species such as zebras, cheetahs, monkeys, giraffes, rhinoceroses, lemurs, and flamingos.
The property was established by Peter Lang and his wife, zoologist Nancy Lang. After Lang purchased a former cattle ranch in the 1980s to expand his animal collection, the couple started a captive breeding program focused on conservation.
The preserve faced a significant challenge during the Tubbs Fire in October 2017. While the Lang family compound lost four houses, Safari West sustained minimal damage, with only some fences, vehicles, and trees being affected. No animals were injured during the wildfire.
Under the new nonprofit structure, safari tours, wildlife education, and overnight tent accommodations are expected to continue under the current leadership. Although a state employment filing indicates 134 employees will be laid off, they are expected to be rehired under the new model.