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World Bird Sanctuary and Lone Elk Park

St. Louis, MO

 

 

 

World Bird Sanctuary, one of North America’s largest facilities for the conservation of birds with 305 acres offers environmental education opportunities and provides refuge to over 270 residents and rehabilitation and emergency care for up to 400 patients every year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sanctuary’s mission is to preserve, protect and inspire to safeguard bird species for future generations.

Located nearby is Lone Elk Park, which was once part of the Tyson Valley Powder Plant used for the testing and storage of ammunition during WWII. 

The area served as a County Park after the war and herds of elk and bison were established in 1948.

The Federal Government re-acquired the land during the Korean War, and for safety reasons the wildlife herds were destroyed in 1958. 

One lone elk survived.

St. Louis County reacquired the land in 1964 and changed the park to Lone Elk.  Six additional elk were obtained from Yellowstone National Park in 1966 and in 1973 six bison were acquired from the St. Louis Zoo. (We didn't see the bison but we saw plenty of elk, deer and raccoons.)

I thought this little guy was so cute so I got out of the car to get a better look. 

Then all of a sudden he began running towards me so I jumped back in the truck and slammed the door shut just in time.