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GUYTON, Ga. () — If you’ve caught wind of tales about a zoo in Effingham County, rest assured, they’re more than just whispers.
Hope Ranch Zoo celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, not for an inaugural opening, but to announce their new schedule. Visitors can now explore the zoo any day of the week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Situated in Guyton, the zoo has been welcoming guests for a few years, but only by appointment. Gilvan and Shannon Vilam, the owners, shared that the inception of Hope Ranch Zoo was inspired by Gilvan’s affection for birds.
“To understand our story, you need to start with Brazil,” Shannon explained, referencing her husband. “His passion for birds and animals originated there and has been a lifelong pursuit.”
Although birds were the initial focus, the zoo’s menagerie has significantly expanded. Visitors can now encounter a diverse array of animals, including monkeys, a sloth, tortoises, zebras, capybaras, and kangaroos, among others.
Hope Ranch Zoo’s skyrocketing popularity is not new. The place has been well known, even with the appointment-only schedule. Shannon says many visitors drive hours to see the animals.
Before the switch in schedule, the owners wanted to enhance the property.
“We were getting the handicapped accessible bathrooms finished,” Shannon said. “We also built a gift shop. Just some extra, little nifty things that we can have here at the zoo for them to bring people in to be able to see the animals here.”
If you wish to visit the zoo and meet animals like Bella the sloth, or a black-and-white ruffed lemur called George Washington, click here.