3 places to discover where the wild things are
For animal lovers, seeing your favorite creature in its natural environment can be one of life’s great thrills. Here are three ideas:
Whale sharks in Cancun, Mexico:
Swimming with the largest fish in the sea is a thrill worth seeking. Whale sharks reach lengths of 40 feet and can weigh 15 tons. Despite their imposing presence, the gentle creatures peacefully share the seas with visitors who arrive via boat from the shores of nearby Cancun. With the help of a guide, you’ll don a life jacket or wetsuit and fins before jumping in for a swim with these plankton-slurping vegetarians. No touching is allowed, but you can swim alongside as they thrust forward their supersize square jaws and filter everything in their path like a vacuum cleaner.
Burros in Oatman, Arizona: There are more wild burros than people in this small town tucked within a
Bureau of Land Management wilderness area along Route 66. The burros are the offspring of the original critters that worked alongside gold miners back in the day. Some shops even sell carrots that can be fed to the creatures. Visitors channel the Wild West history (be on the lookout for staged shootouts on Main Street) and go for a hike in the adjacent wilderness areas.
Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center, Wyoming and Montana: Learn about the evolution, habitat, social interaction and historical significance of this mustang herd during a tour of the extraordinary landscape that is their home. Many believe the magnificent creatures are descendants of Spanish horses brought to the area by Native American tribes, including the Crow. The daylong tour, available May through October, might include bear, bighorn sheep and other wildlife sightings as you traverse land that straddles the Montana and Wyoming border.