57 Years of Conservation, Education and Connection

On August 22, 1969, African Lion Safari opened its gates for the very first time.

What began with a bold idea, 40 lions and 3 Game Reserves has grown into one of Canada’s most unique wildlife parks, and a place where generations of visitors have come to experience wildlife, learn about conservation and create lasting memories.

This year, we are proud to celebrate 57 years of African Lion Safari and the vision that started it all.

The story of African Lion Safari begins with our founder, Colonel G.D. Dailley.

After a distinguished military career, Colonel Dailley set his sights on a very different kind of challenge: creating an exciting new attraction in Canada that would also play a role in conserving wildlife species in decline.

In 1968, he began pursuing his dream of creating a drive-through wildlife park. He selected a 700-acre property in Rockton, Ontario, and African Lion Safari & Game Farm Ltd. was established.

Just one year later, on August 22, 1969, the park welcomed its first visitors.

Colonel Dailley’s idea was unlike the traditional zoo model of the time. Instead of visitors walking past animals in small enclosures, guests would enter the Game Reserves in their vehicles while the animals had the freedom to roam across large, natural spaces.

His vision was to provide a unique opportunity for people to experience wildlife while helping to conserve species for future generations.

More than five decades later, that vision continues to guide us.

Today, our 750-acre property is home to more than 1,000 animals representing over 100 species from around the world. Our Game Reserves provide animals with large areas of bush, grassland and forest, while mixed-species habitats allow many animals to interact in ways that reflect their natural behaviours.

But while the park has changed and grown, one thing has remained constant: conservation is at the heart of what we do.

Since opening, African Lion Safari has successfully bred more than 30 species considered endangered and 20 species considered threatened. Our conservation work extends beyond the animals living here, with partnerships and projects supporting wildlife conservation in Canada and around the world.

Our teams have contributed to projects involving species such as the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk and Barn Owl, while our elephant conservation and research work has helped advance knowledge in areas including reproduction, physiology, behaviour and welfare.

In recent years, our conservation efforts have also included contributions to the recovery of the critically endangered Blue-throated Macaw. In 2023, eight Blue-throated Macaws were successfully delivered to northern Bolivia with the hope of helping to restore this jeopardized bird’s wild population.

For 57 years, African Lion Safari has been a place where people and wildlife come together.

Families have returned year after year. Children who once sat in the backseat of their parents’ cars now bring their own children. School groups have discovered new species. Visitors have watched generations of animals grow and thrive. And countless people have left with a little more knowledge, curiosity and appreciation for the natural world.

That is the legacy Colonel Dailley began in 1969.

His original dream was to create a place where people could experience wildlife while contributing to the conservation of species in decline. Today, that mission continues through animal care, conservation breeding, scientific research, education and partnerships around the world.

As we celebrate 57 years of African Lion Safari, we are grateful to everyone who has been part of our story: our dedicated staff, animal care and conservation teams, partners, supporters, and most importantly, the millions of guests who have visited us over the years.

Here’s to 57 years of conservation, education and connection, and to many more years of inspiring people to care about wildlife and the wild places we all share.

Want to learn more about our founder, Colonel G.D. Dailley?