Maine Wildlife Park — Attraction in Harpswell

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Maine Wildlife Park! The animals are here because of being unable to be released into the wild for a variety of reasons. It is not a zoo! It is a place for these animals to live well, in a simulation of their natural life, in a manner that we can visit and learn more about them, engage in a manner not possible in the wild.

This said, be prepared to see them sleeping thru the heat of the day! Or not necessarily out and about visible! Here are my tips to get the best views of these wild animals...acting like wild animals should. Be quiet! If you want to see them, and they aren't visible, sit quietly for awhile, often they will show themselves, start poking their heads out if its quiet and you are relaxed/ seated/ non threatening vibe about you.

The park is set up well for children with places to sit, snack, rest, inside displays/ educational displays etc. There is a lot of tree shade and structures with shade to get kids and babies out of sun/ heat/ rest etc. There are good, clean, bathrooms as well.

The grounds are very nice to walk! Walkways have nice walking surface, shaded by trees, places to sit down. I visited while recovering from serious knee injury/ in a brace. The walking surface and seats were perfect therapy for my knee AND delightful day out! It's suitable for those with mobility challenges and you would be able to get around in a wheel chair or scooter in my opinion.

There are snacks and drinks available to buy. Lovely gift shop with lots of tempting items!!!. Ample parking that has tree shade and grassy areas if you want to bring picnic with you and just sit of the grass in the shade. There are also picnic tables under shade inside the park.

My impression is week days, even in summer, are not very crowded. I can't speak to weekends, as I've never been on a weekend.

Regarding tickets, I just showed up on a weekday and had no problem buying a ticket, no lines etc. However, I think its wise, if you are planning to drive there, have kids and family coordinating for a visit buy your tickets ahead of time to play it safe. I've never gone on the weekend, guessing best to buy tickets ahead to avoid hassles and...

A Thoughtful and Conservation-Focused Experience at Maine Wildlife Park.

Our visit to the Maine Wildlife Park left us thoroughly impressed with the park's dedication to animal welfare and conservation. It was a clean and well-organized park that undoubtedly prioritizes the animals' well-being.

One aspect that stood out to us was the park's commitment to putting the animals' comfort first. We appreciated the clear signs reminding guests that the animals' needs come before our own. It was evident that the park's mission is not to entertain consumers with captive animals, but rather to provide a safe haven for injured or sick wildlife, ensuring they are rehabilitated and cared for with the utmost compassion.

Although some exhibits might have been unoccupied due to this noble approach, we fully support the park's stance on animal conservation. It is essential to prioritize the well-being of these beautiful creatures over mere human entertainment.

The admission price of $10 per person was reasonable and well worth it, knowing that our contribution goes towards supporting the park's conservation efforts. It's important to note that the park operates on a cash-only basis, but the presence of an ATM on-site made it convenient for visitors.

While the snack shack's offerings were a bit lacking, it did not dampen our overall experience. After all, the primary focus of our visit was to connect with and appreciate the wildlife, not just indulge in snacks.

The park's efforts in maintaining a clean and well-groomed environment were commendable. The abundance of garden wildlife that provided a habitat for pollinators not only added to the park's beauty but also showcased its functionality in supporting local ecosystems.

Overall, our day at the Maine Wildlife Park was not only enjoyable but also heartening. We left with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that our visit contributed to the well-being and conservation of the animals we encountered. We highly recommend this park to families and individuals who value animal welfare and are eager to support crucial...

I brought my 5 year-old granddaughter to see the animals and when we returned home she told her mother that she went to a wildlife park but there were only about five animals to see - she was very disappointed AS WAS I!!!

I appreciate the mission - to provide a safe environment for animals that, for whatever reason, can no longer be returned to the wild. What I do not appreciate is just how from that mission this park has strayed.

The first thing you will notice is the totally inadequate enclosures for the animals on display. Part of me felt that it would be better to euthanize the animals than force them to live in the types of confinements and enclosures they currently inhabit. In fact, I find it almost criminal that the park apparently spend more money on new buildings and an over abundance of new gardens than they do on the well-being of the animals.

I left feeling completely depressed and vowing NEVER to return. Someone needs to investigate this park for suitability and appropriate treatment of wild animals. Imagine having four male peacocks in an enclosure about the size of a living room surrounding one female or having a flock of Canadian Geese in a similarly small enclosure without any water in which to swim not to mention the obviously cage-crazed foxes, cougar, bear, and lynx who are also forced to endure inappropriate enclosures.

All-in-all - and not accounting for the hoard of school children who embarrassed me with their inappropriate behavior - call ahead to ensure you are not there when the improperly supervised hoards invade - this place is the WORST wildlife park I have ever seen and I have seen many here in the US as well as overseas.

I said above that the animals would be better treated if euthanized and I firmly believe this to be true. Either spend money on improving the living conditions of your animals or send them to someplace where that is a priority and not building and flower gardens.

I will NEVER visit again and encourage you to stay away as well unless you are pleased to see wild animals...