I have a rare education in exotic animal training management from Moorpark in Thousand Oaks, the Harvard of animal behavior training. I have traveled the world working with animals and have worked here in L.A. at the Eco Star Station, a program which takes animals to elementary schools to teach students about animals and the conservation of them with a hands on experience. I am currently developing a wildlife travel TV/web show called Morgan the Mermaid (you can see a promo vid at the bottom).
Last night, I went with Tamsin Lonsdale’s Supper Club to the Wildlife Waystation in Tujunga located north of Pasedena off the 210 freeway. Tucked away in the mountains, surrounded by horse ranches and rolling hills …. this 160 acre facility acts as an animal sanctuary and rehabilitation center for wild and exotic wildlife such as Tigers, Ligers, Zebra, Hyena, Binturong (never heard of those , have you), Coyotes, Jaguars, Canines, Grizzly Bears, Mountain Lions, American Black Bear, Llama, Deer, Parrots and Raccoons.
Supper Club attendee Andrea Kelley, arranged the visit . for the group with her Godmother, Martine Colette, founder & director of Animal Services of the Wildlife Waystation. Normally it can take up to 3 months to get a tour but Andrea, who also went to Moorpark and is an animal trainer volunteer at the facility, was able to help Supper Club founder Tamsin Lonsdale create a special evening tour followed by a big feast.
The daughter of a Belgian diplomat and naturalist, Martine Colette traveled the world as a child and young adult, often on safaris to observe wild animals. During those years of watching the plight of animals, she decided helping them would be her life’s calling. She discovered that she had an innate ability to diagnose and help heal injured and sick animals, despite few available veterinarians or medicines.
Guests begin to arrive at 4pm and were greeted with drinks and hors deourves, until the walking tours began. The 30 minute tour took us on a path through white tigers, bears and other and other retired animals of the silver screen now chilling and grubbing 15 lbs of meat a day.
The best part about the night were all the noises! The chimpanzee were doing raspberries at us, causing a ruckus, shaking their bars, making their monkey talk and screaming really loud. The lions would chuff at us when we would walk up to the cages, which is like a warm greeting. The tour guide encouraged us to chuff back. Supper Club guests desperately tried to impersonate a chuff (think of a chuff like huffing air out your mouth). It was beautiful the way one lion would start a roar, or call, and the rest would chime in. The sounds reverberated through the mountains around the reserve. Guest were unhappily sprayed at one point when the lions, in their natural way to display dominance, raised their tales and sprayed the group.
The Supper Club house photographer was a causality in his quest for the perfect shot. The photog, who’d do anything for the shot, refused to listen to the tour guides demands for him to stay back.
Everyone was blown away by their proximity at which they were able to view these exotic animals. This is not like a trip to the zoo, where you are removed at a distance from their enclosures. People on the tour were shock and amazed – most people have never, and will never, get this close to these kinds of animals in thier lives again.
The Wilfelife Waystation also has a special Wildlife Animal Hospital, Volunteer Program and does Outreach and Off Ranch Events. Learn how to become a member, sponsor an animal, volunteer or shop on their website
http://www.wildlifewaystation.org/.
Supper Club attendee Tracy Bjelland (left) holds a yellow python and wears Michael kors boots, Lily Pulitzer khakis (never worn, found in the closet), Hermes belt and scarf, Ralph Lauren button down and a Burberry jacket. We hear from other Safari attendees …
Andrea Kelley (pictured left)
Occupation: Development Assistant at ITV Studios and an animal handler/trainer at the Wildlife Waystation.
Q: Favorite food, drink, Hors d’œuvre at dinner, ?
A: Loved the halibut and cheesy potatoes; The Bombay Sapphire Apple Martini was amazing.
Q: Favorite part of the tour/favorite animal/favorite story about an animal at the facilty?
A: I enjoyed seeing everyone on the tour having a great time. You have the opportunity to see the animals up close and to hear their life stories at the Waystation. It’s a much more personal experience than a zoo. The animals that have an extra special place in my heart are Drifter & Mungar.
Drifter is a 12 year old Siberian tiger that was owned by drug dealers in Chicago as a pet. When the police raided them they found a baby tiger. He was the first tiger I worked with and raised.
Mungar, the Bengal tiger we brought out Saturday night is 5 years old and came to us from Virginia. A small zoo had purchased him as a baby for the public to take pictures with; once he started to get too big to hold for pictures they decided they no longer wanted him.
Q: How did u hear about The Supper Club?
A: I met Tamsin through Carly Steel at Carly’s Black Dahliance Birthday party hosted by The Supper Club.
Next attendee … Kitson
Occupation: Event manager at The Supper Club
Q: How would you describe the day?
A: Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my! The Supper Club Members enjoyed a private tour and feast at The Wildlife Waystation in Angeles National Forest above the city Sylmar outside L.A. this past Saturday. Members got up close and personal with the likes of Leopards, Bears, Tigers, Lions and an array of other exotic game making the night truly special.
After members toured The Wildlife Waystation, they found themselves surrounded by waterfalls, alligators, Bombay Sapphire specialty cocktails, fine wines and canapés. Dinner was served under a star clad sky against the sounds of the animals roaring and cooing in the distance. The feast included beef tenderloin, halibut, garlic shrimp, and fired choked vegetables… all fit for a king, of the jungle.
Overall, all the guests loved the cocktails so much, we decided to include some fun recipes you can make at home or for your next safari. Who else, but Tamsin, brings her French 75 mix to Sylmar?
Bombay Sapphire, Fresh Lemon Juice,
Drizzle of Wild Hibiscus Syrup, Top with Prosecco
Sapphire Pomegranate Gimlet
Bombay Sapphire, Fresh Lime Juice,
Pomegranate Juice, Dash of Simple Syrup
Apple Elderflower Martini
Bombay Sapphire, St Germain Liqueur
Pressed Apple Juice, Pinch of Cinnamon
More information on The Supper Club can be found on Tami’s website
Morgan the Mermaid teaser video
