Oaklawn Farm Zoo

The Entrance to Oaklawn Farm Zoo in Aylesford, Nova Scotia

A visit to the Oaklawn Farm in Aylseford is a must while you are visiting the Annapolis Valley. This is Nova Scotia's largest zoo plus it has the largest display of Big Cats and Primates in Eastern Canada.

Gail & Ron Rogerson, the owners, did not start out to own a zoo, it just sorta happened that way. They were farmers who owned 50 acres of farmland in the valley. They loved animals and had some exotic animals and birds on their farm along with a wide variety of farm animals.

Their son was in grade primary in 1975 and his class was invited out to the farm as a class trip. This started it all. Soon other classes were asking to come out for a tour and from other schools. The children on these tours enjoyed their visit so much they talked their parents into taking them out on the weekends. This expanded until everyone was bringing their friends and relatives out for a visit.

By the early 1980's everyone just assumed that Oaklawn Farm was a public attraction. The Roberson’s decided they had only two options - open to the public or move. So in 1984 they opened their doors officially to the public.

Curtis on our first visit to Oaklawn Farm in 1988

They increased their population of exotic animals, soon having the largest display east of Quebec. Many of their animals are on the endangered and the threatened list. For some of these species the only way they may survive is through repopulation in captivity in zoos.

Many of the local species they have at the farm came there as orphans or they were found injured. Ron & Gail will nurse these animals back to health and then release many of them back into the wild. However some of these animals decide to stay at the farm making it their home. An example of this is Sky, the bald eagle who is quite content staying on at the farm.

Even though some animals are released back into the wild they never forget the kindness while at the farm. There is a pair of owls who live in the trees outside the farm. One of these had been at the farm and let go but decided to stay close by. He even drops in for a visit sometimes.

Much of the appeal of the Oaklawn Farm is the relaxing atmosphere and country setting of the farm. It is not meant to be solely a display of the animals, it is their home and they are provided a comfortable place to live and roam. There is lots of shade around for both the animals and the visitors.

For the visitors well maintained walkways weave their way around the pens and pastures with several benches provided for resting or just enjoying the surroundings.

Around the Deer Pastures at Oaklawn Farm in Aylesford, Nova Scotia

The entrance to Oaklawn Farm is very unique which a lot of people will miss if they are not looking around. The building is a 30 x 40 foot scribe-fit log building which was built by the Heartwood Log Homes Ltd. The logs are from red and white pine that was cut during the winter in the local area. It features many carvings built right into the beams and joists of several of the resident animals.

When the building was being built at one point the joist was sticking out past the walls. It is not remembered who came up with the idea but it was suggested that they be left that way and make carvings out of them. It just so happened that an artist was working with Heartwood Log Homes on an apprenticeship for scribe-fit log homes at the time. John Murray is a sculptor and painter from British Columbia who has a background in forestry and always wanted to learn this technique.

He accepted the task of carving the joist to represent the animals at the farm. Even the family pet Badness, the pug is represented in

Humphrey the Camel at Oaklawn Farm in Aylesford

the carvings. John would spend time with each animal he was going to carve to get to know them a little, to find out their personality. He would then incorporate this into the carvings.

He used a Haida bent knife, the same one used by the Haida when carving out totem poles in British Columbia. This knife was big enough to wrap both hands around the handle and the blade is curved with points to better get into smaller grooves. Each carving took John about 30 hours to complete. He worked on the project all through the winter.

So when you are entering this building make sure to look around and up and you will be amazed at what you see. There is a cougar coming out of the end of two wall logs, an owl sitting up high on a joist, alligators, monkeys plus several other animals.

The Zonkey at Oaklawn Farm, in Aylesford, Nova Scotia

When you were walking towards the entrance of the zoo did you happen to notice the big lion sign out front?

This lion was Rutledge who had been born at the farm and lived there all of his almost 18 years. He was hand-raised by Gail and became a favorite at the farm. He was a big lion and in 1977 Rutledge was acknowledged by the Guinness World Book for being the heaviest lion in captivity at 807 lbs. Unfortunately he had to be put down in February of 2009 just three months short of his 18th birthday because he had stopped eating and was becoming very skinny. Most lions only live an average of 14 years in captivity so Rutledge did very well.

Once in the entrance building, besides looking at the carvings, take a trip up to the second floor where you will find a large collection of reptiles. There are a number of different types of snakes, lizards and small turtles. They even have a tarantula there.

Also take notice of the artwork in this building. It is all done by local artist and depicts different facets of animal life. It is all very interesting to both adults and children alike.

Once outside the first thing you will see is the pony rides. There is a small charge for this but it is a

  A Turtle Eating at Oaklawn Farm, Aylesford

favorite among the younger children. Close to here is the horse, donkey and zebra pastures. One of the special features here is Zena the Zonkey. As the name suggest this is a cross between a donkey and a zebra. They are rare but there are a few of them in the world. Zena at first glance will look like any other donkey until you look down at her legs. They are black and white stripped the same as a zebra's.

You are welcome to walk leisurely around the park in whichever direction you like. There are several paths to choose from and plenty of benches to sit and relax on.

Remember the farm is not only here for you to see the animals, it is the animals home. In some cases the animals may not be in sight, they may be back in shady spots or laying down sleeping. Do not get discouraged, try coming back a little later to this spot and the animal may be in better sight.

Back in the Entrance building you are welcome to purchase a lunch at the canteen or you may bring your own and sit anywhere on the farm and enjoy it surrounded by the animals. It is a relaxing atmosphere and you will be inclined to spend the whole day there.

Located by some of the pens and cages are dispensers where you

An Emu at Oaklawn Farm in Aylesford      

may buy a handful of corn to feed to the animals. Notice how the little goats will all come running when someone comes around. They are hoping for a handful of the delicious corn. The many species of deer will also come up to the fence to eat a handful of corn from you.

You may want to plan a trip here in the spring so you may see all the new little baby animals born at the zoo. This is a breeding zoo where they have been very successful breeding rare and endangered species of animals, including Canada's first Egyptian tortoises.

Included in the animals you will find at the zoo are over 50 species of mammals and over 60 species of birds. There are Siberian tigers, African lions, jaguars, Dromedary camels, zebras, squirrel monkeys, lemurs, arctic foxes, capybara and Burmese pythons.

Many people plan their visit to include the 7 p.m. feeding time. At this time you will see Gail actually go into the lion's and other big cat's and bear's pens and hand feed them with meat they acquire locally. While in there she will show them lots of affection and maybe play with them a little. Both of the Roberson’s have an incredible bond with their animals, everyone is special to them.

The Goats Come Running To You At Oaklawn Farm

To find the Oaklawn farm take Exit 16 off highway 101 and follow the blue zoo signs.

There is an admission to enter the zoo, but it is worth it if you enjoy animals at all. They do have group rates for organizations, schools and even birthday parties.

They are open from 7 a.m. until dusk every day of the week from Easter weekend until mid-November.

Located on the grounds is a canteen and gift shop as well as wheelchair accessible washrooms and picnic facilities.

You may check the Oaklawn Farm website for admission prices.

Leave the Oaklawn Farm Page to go check out other great Attractions in the Annapolis Valley