Even animals need a refuge, a place to call home where they are safe and cared for unconditionally.  This might sound normal especially if you are a pet lover, but this is a huge undertaking if the animals are exotic.  Lee Crutchfield is on a mission and holds a license for up to 500 animals, although Aloha Safari Zoo tops out at about 300.  That's right, 300 animals of various species, most exotic, have found a sanctuary in an educational zoo that Crutchfield, his family and a small team of dedicated individuals have labored to create.   The zoo just opened to the public January 2010. 

"The animals take care of themselves with me," says Crutchfield sincerely, whose 60-acre zoo is over seven years in the making. 

Crutchfield, on of the youngest senior carded judges of horses, has always had a love for animals, but his love for exotic animals began with a monkey.  He received one as a gift and that was it. 

"Monkeys just stole my heart.  They are why I am here," says Crutchfield as he leads a tour of the zoo pointing to a capuchin monkey named Hercules that he acquired from a zoo that went bankrupt.  Some of the other species of monkeys residing here include macaque or snow monkeys, patas, pigtail, marmosets, red-handed tamarin and spider monkeys.  Crutchfield's personal spider monkey, Jackson, just a year old himself, can usually be found in his keeper's arms or those of other workers so that visitors receive their own up close and personal monkey experience.  Jackson's sweet demeanor and brown eyes are hard to resist.

Monkeys  may have been the impetus for the zoo, but they are simply the beginning.  The front fenced outdoor areas with ponds provide ample space for Giant Flemish rabbits and ducklings on one side and Australian black swans and turtles on the other. 

Spartacus, a baby white Bengal tiger, found his way tot eh zoo after being used for a photo shoot.  Now receiving a hearty diet of chicken breast and bottled milk, his habitat is the first viewing area visitors see once going inside the main building constructed by Crutchfield. 

"I built everything you see, dug the ponds and all," he says.   All of the habitats are constructed at hurricane strength and accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Every pen is also equipped with ultraviolet lighting, which helps to provide the animals with Vitamin B.

Visitors can also meet the zoo's latest addition, an 8-week old Russian brown bear as well as caiman crocodiles, two-toed sloths and African spotted genets to name a few. 

And what zoo could be compete without a reptile room?  Ball pythons and bearded dragon lizards of various sizes make their home here.  One of the zoo's most aged residents might be a five-foot iguana thought to be in his late teens.

For some hands-on experience, a petting area is open with goats, cows, camels, donkeys, ponies and a horse named Fletch that is 21 hands tall.  Alongside the petting area is an aviary filled with large cages of exotic birds. 

The last part of the tour included a "safari ride" along a dirt road around the fenced acreage of paddocks where the majority fo the zoo's animals reside in specialized habitats.  Watusi cattle, known for their horns that can grow up to six feet in length, Asian water buffalo, nilgai antelope, dromedary camels, ostriches, emus, zebras, Jacob sheet that are multi-horned, pot bellied pigs, a zorse (offspring of zebra and a horse), porcupines and more are out and about for viewing during the safari. 

Crutchfield happily accepts animal sponsorships as well.  An area contractor has agreed to sponsor Spartacus the tiger and is going to be constructing his new habitat in the safari area. 

Caring for the animals is crucial, since many of them have been rescued from poor health and habitats.  Three area veterinarians aid the zoo with medical care and health certificate exams.  "it's a unique opportunity and learning experience for the area's children, families and schools.  There are a lot of different species that most people would never have the opportunity to seem," says Brian Garrett, a veterinarian with the Animal Hospital of Fayetteville. 

This working zoo is a true family affair.  Crutchfield's mother, father, sister and 90-year-old grandfather all have roles in the daily activities.  "This is God's gift to me.  Every single day, I get to do the work I love," says Crutchfield smiling.                         OutreachNC Magazine - May 2010