Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend, Wisconsin, is a large wildlife park with over 100 acres, a four-mile loop, and hundreds of animals to see along the way. It is one of those places where each visit feels a little different, whether you are feeding elk, watching wolves, or slowing down to enjoy the wooded setting.
On this visit, my husband, daughter, and I were invited to witness something especially memorable — the birth of a tepid foal. Watching those first wobbly steps in the quiet pines made this trip a beautiful start to Mother’s Day weekend.
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend, Wisconsin
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary offers a slower, more natural wildlife experience than many traditional animal attractions. The sanctuary is spread across a large wooded property, and the route through the park gives visitors time to stop, look, and return to favorite areas throughout the day.
Because the grounds are so large, it is easy to spend several hours here, especially if you enjoy photography, watching animal behavior, or revisiting enclosures to see what has changed.
General Info
| Location | Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bend, Wisconsin |
| Size | Over 100 acres |
| Loop | Approximately 4-mile route through the sanctuary |
| Animals | Over 400 animals |
| County | Washington County |
| State | Wisconsin |
| Hours | Check Current Hours |
| Cost | Check Current Pricing |
| Map | Google Map Location |
What to Expect When Visiting
- A large wildlife sanctuary with a four-mile route
- Opportunities to see elk, wolves, deer, camels, and more
- A visit that can take several hours if you stop often
- Optional golf cart rentals that make the larger loop easier
- A more relaxed pace than a typical quick stop attraction
Driving the Loop by Golf Cart
This was our third visit to Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary, and by now my husband and daughter know exactly what I mean when I ask who wants to go drive golf carts. We do not golf, but we do love exploring the sanctuary this way.
Walking the whole property and stopping at each section can easily take most of the day. Renting a golf cart makes it easier to move around the loop, revisit favorite animals, and spend more time where you want without feeling rushed.
Feeding the Elk
One thing that is always certain on our visits is that the elk are going to be well fed. My husband makes sure of that by buying several bags of corn just for them.
As soon as the bags come out of the cart, the elk know exactly what is happening and come over quickly. It has become one of our favorite traditions at the park.
More Animals Around the Sanctuary
Part of the fun of visiting Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary is that every section of the park offers something a little different. Some animals are easy to spot right away, while others require a little patience and a second pass through the loop.
Elk Up Close
The elk do not seem to like me nearly as much as they like the person holding the corn. Still, they are beautiful animals to watch up close, especially when you can stand nearby and observe their expressions and behavior.
Camel Kisses
On this visit there was a camel who turned out to be especially friendly. He kept sneaking kisses whenever my husband looked away, which gave us all a good laugh.
It was one of those small unexpected moments that makes a visit feel even more memorable.
Ground Squirrel Surprise
I squealed when I spotted a ground squirrel while the rest of my family was busy feeding the whitetail deer. I had never seen one in my own area before, so getting the photo felt well worth the stains on my knees.
Fallow Deer
We also stopped to see the fallow deer. I have always liked them because their smaller build and spotted coats remind me a bit of young fawns.
Wolves
The wolves are always one of the most beautiful animals in the sanctuary, but seeing them can be hit or miss. We checked back multiple times during the day to try again, which is another reason the golf cart works so well for a visit here.
A Tepid Foal Is Born
Finally, the moment I had been waiting for arrived. The tepid foal was born, and the mother did a wonderful job protecting her baby in the pines.
Those first shaky steps were precious to watch. It was not easy to get close photographs because the mother kept the foal well sheltered, but seeing that quiet beginning was more than enough.
The sanctuary named the little one Patience, which felt like a fitting name. It was such a sweet and peaceful moment, and a wonderful way to begin Mother’s Day weekend.
From one mother to another, happy Mother’s Day, mama tepid.
Why Visit Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary?
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary is a fun place to spend a slow afternoon if you enjoy animals, photography, and being outdoors. The large property, variety of animals, and relaxed pace make it easy to build a visit around what interests you most.
For us, this visit became even more memorable because of the foal. Moments like that are what make a wildlife outing stay with you long after the day is over.