GNY EP.158 | feat. Jeff Taylor from The Wild Park

Inside The Wild and The Haven: Chittenango’s Interactive Zoo and Safari Resort Vision Host Noah Chrysler interviews Jeff Taylor, owner of The Wild in Chittenango, New York, an interactive zoo featuring animals from around the world with a focus on guest experience, animal welfare, and conservation through education. Jeff describes The Haven, a former dairy farm property expanding from a wedding venue into a concert venue and resort with planned lodging near animals, a resort-style pool with a flamingo exhibit, and other amenities. He highlights the unique setting of weddings and concerts overlooking a savannah with giraffes and other African species, and lists upcoming concert acts including Drake Milligan, Avery Anna, Buckcherry, Lakeview, Montgomery Gentry, Marshall Tucker Band, and The Band Perry. Jeff shares 2026 season updates such as grizzly cubs, returning tiger shows, and a nonprofit, Friends of the Wild, funding conservation via paid tiger feedings. He discusses operational scale, staffing, local pushback, veterinary care, and the role of zoos in education. Visitors can find information at thewildpark.com and Haven social pages. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:24 What The Wild Is 01:01 The Haven Origin Story 02:13 Safari Weddings Vision 02:54 Concerts and Big Events 04:31 Season Opening Updates 05:01 Tiger Shows and Nonprofit 05:56 Feeding and Animal Care 06:24 Farming and Self Sufficiency 07:14 Growth Challenges and Red Tape 08:56 Animal Welfare and Conservation 12:47 Team Values and Staffing 14:21 How to Visit and Closing