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Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary opens April 3rd

More than three years after a beloved game ranch in Gwinnett County closed, it’s about to reopen with a new look, many new animals, and new faces giving it life.

Jonathon and Katy Ordway bought the Yellow River Game Ranch not long after it was forced to close due to declining conditions. The couple, who live just a few miles away, wanted it preserved for their growing young family and have put their own money, sweat, and tears into making it even better.

“We’re very fortunate to have been able do it. It’s been very expensive… but it’s one of those jobs where every day I’m able to go home with a smile on my face; and I’m one of the lucky few people to do that,” Jonathon tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

>>LISTEN TO SANDRA PARRISH’S FULL ON-AIR REPORT BELOW.

Renamed, the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary, it’s home now to close to 100 animals--many of which the couple has happily taken in from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Many likely would not have survived otherwise including a deer hit by a car, an owl with encephalitis, an illegal serval who escaped its home in Buckhead, and a coyote, Willie, which was raised as a pet.

It’s now also home to Carmine, a rare black coyote who made friends with local dogs and was captured in East Cobb last month. After two more weeks in quarantine, Carmine will be introduced to Willie.

“We’re really excited because I think the two of them will do really well together,” says Katy.

The four bears at the sanctuary where original to the game ranch and used to be fined to a small caged concrete area. It was a dream of Jonathon’s to build them a natural habit with acres to roam as well as a waterfall and pond.

“When we first let them out, they didn’t want to come out of their cages. They just stayed inside. But after it warmed up a little bit, they came out and they explored a little bit and they explored a little bit farther; and finally, they found the waterfall and pond. Now they’re out there swimming around and playing in it. So, it’s really exciting for us,” says Jonathon.

The Ordways have hired staff from all over the country help them including Animal Manager Clint Murphy, who brings experience from other zoos.

“We were able to start building almost a dream team of keepers and educators to come out and flush out the dream the Ordways already have,” he says.

Now, after much anticipation, the sanctuary will open to the public April 3rd.

“It will be by reservations at first because we want to kind of take it easy on the animals, the systems, the people, everything. So, we’ll kind of limit the attendance each day,” says Katy.

The sanctuary will only be open Friday through Sunday the first few weeks. Visitors can make their reservations at www.yellowriverwildlifesanctuary.com.

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