Safari West has always focused on wildlife conservation. Our mission and message center on protecting the wild creatures of the Earth. Usually, we mean protecting them in their native ranges, for example, conserving lemurs in Madagascar and rhinos in South Africa. But what about the animals right here on the Sonoma Serengeti?

In 2017, the Tubbs Fire nearly destroyed our beloved preserve, burning fence posts and buses and vegetation across the property. Thanks to a combination of luck and a carefully managed emergency response plan, we survived, animal and human alike. Since then, we’ve continued to refine procedures with the goal of avoiding future close calls. While some of these plans are purely in-house, a great deal requires coordinating with our friends and neighbors, both here in the Mark West corridor as well as in the larger community.

Please check out this article by our friends at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat detailing this important work. In it, you’ll meet our Disaster Preparedness Czar and long-time registrar Kimberly Robertson. Kimberly has taken a lead role in developing new communication and evacuation strategies. She’s connecting the dots between wildlife caretakers like Safari West, first responders, and more. She’s a true conservation hero!

Photo by Ray Mabry.