Family turns property into home for animals and exotic birds from around the world
By Frank Sulkowski
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GUYTON, Georgia (WJCL) — Remember that movie, We Bought a Zoo?
The 2011 film starring Matt Damon was based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee. It told the true story of a family that purchased a dilapidated zoo and worked to restore it to its former glory.
Well. An Effingham County family has taken things a step further – building a zoo from scratch and they’re inviting everyone to come take a walk on the wild side.
“When we did our first build, these were just wooden bird cages,” said Shannon Valim. “We now call this Main Street.”
It’s a Main Street where you can hang around with a sloth – chill with a Kookaburra or roll around with the warthogs.
Shannon and Gilvan Valim have taken their love of animals to the next level. The Valim family turning their sprawling property between Guyton and Oliver – into a safe home for hundreds of animals and exotic birds from around the world.
Welcome to Hope Ranch.
“People say a zoo – in Guyton, Georgia, that’s not possible,” said Valim. “We’ve taken things nice and slow. It’s been important to be methodical about everything.”
Many of the animals are donated and others rescued, like Pogo. The Rhesus macaque, just settling in to her new surroundings at Hope Ranch.
“We’ve had it here for just a couple of weeks,” said Valim. “When animals come here, they get blood work done and are in quarantine for several weeks before being moved into their new enclosures.”
Housing and caring for so many furry, four-legged and feathered friends is no easy task.
A small staff and volunteers have helped turn Shannon and Gilvan’s dream into a reality.
Over the years, this once small, private aviary and ranch has been transformed into a full blown zoo.
“We are constantly learning,” said Valim. “We share knowledge with folks and they share with us. We take pride in everything that we do here at Hope Ranch.”
A Grand Opening celebration is set for Saturday, March 28 at Hope Ranch.
In addition to seeing the animals up close, local vendors and food trucks on will on site from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The cost is $20 per person, children 2 and under are free.
Hope Ranch is located at 1381 George Hurst Road in Guyton.
For more on Hope Ranch, visit their website or follow them on social media.
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