Buy Your Own Zoo...on Craigslist?!?
Everyone knows that if you want something, pretty much no matter what it is, you can buy it somewhere on the internet. Craigslist, of course, is always filled with bizarre products and services from people looking to make a few bucks...and there is no end to the crazy things people will post. But it seems a recent listing may take the prize for most unusual business offer (at least for a little while): you can purchase your own private zoo.
Yes folks, this is a REAL ad. Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park, a 10-acre zoo in Florida, is up for grabs alongside advertisements for old TVs and furniture. Over 90 animals are currently housed here, including lions, tigers, bears (oh my!), wolves, sloths, lemurs, and many more, and all these animals are included in the purchase. Along with the animals, the zoo comes with a complete zookeeper staff, so new owners won't even have to worry about cleaning dirty enclosures! "But that must cost a fortune!" you might say. Well, this zoo is available for the very modest price of $350,000.
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for ECWR Bill Andersen says that the organization is looking for an owner interested in maintaining and growing the facility.
"We're looking for somebody who shares our passion for the welfare of the animals at the zoo. We want somebody with the financial means to be able to keep the zoo on the upward trend. Not only in terms of animal healthcare, veterinarian care, but continual upgrade of habitats.” -Andersen Source
Being the animal guy that I am, I called up the zoo's realtor to get a little more info (sorry guys, I'm not buying the zoo, but I couldn't resist looking into it a bit!). Prior to 2013, the "zoo" was a privately owned roadside attraction; like many privately owned animal facilities owned by well meaning individuals (who sometimes just get in over their head), the care of the animals was slipping, and the health of the animals was suffering as a result. The state of Florida approached ECWR who acquired the zoo in 2013, and the organization focused on rehabilitating the animals.
"Now that we have the creatures happy and healthy, it's time for us to get back to our primary mission, which is the rehabilitation of our natural fauna here in the area. We've done the rescue and rehabilitation part, and now we think it's time to release it to somebody whose primary focus is the zoo.” -Andersen Source
So if you are a big Matt Damon fan and want to live out We Bought a Zoo, here is the perfect opportunity! For the low low price of $350,000 a ten-acre zoo could be in your future!
Advertisement Link: https://okaloosa.craigslist.org/bfs/6091392502.html
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