CTC Conservation Center: Where Visitors Can Get Up Close and Personal with Wildlife
World Business Journal talks to Thomas Price, Founder of CTC Conservation Center, about his mission to connect humans and wildlife through a unique, globally rare experience that benefits both conservation and tourism.
How did the CTC Conservation Center come into existence?
In 2015, driven by a profound love for animals, CTC Conservation Center embarked on a journey to create a unique destination where visitors could engage in up-close and personal interactions with wildlife, transcending mere observation. Here, amidst natural beauty, guests can feed zebras, walk alongside lions, and connect with various animals, including impalas, chameleons, baby crocodiles, and lemurs from Madagascar. We have the largest lion enclosure in tropical Africa (excluding South Africa) and plan to introduce black rhinos and establish an elephant orphanage in the future. We offer an experience found in only a select few locations worldwide. With a $2 million investment, we’re committed to expanding our acreage from 57 to 200 by the third quarter of 2024 and adding cottages and essential infrastructure, including a restaurant.
What’s your approach to enhancing the bond between visitors and wildlife?
It’s about connecting with wildlife, telling their stories, and promoting conservation. The interactions enrich our animals’ playtime. We want to show that these animals aren’t just wild beings in nature; they have emotions and unique personalities. Our guides play a vital role in educating visitors, offering insights into animal behaviour, such as the hierarchical structure within lion pride, and talking about their natural habitat, nutrition, and status of animals in the wild. Visitors, including families, depart with a stronger bond and understanding of the wildlife.
How do you balance animal welfare with tourist satisfaction?
We limit interactions to prevent stress, which can negatively impact happiness, breeding, and overall welfare. For instance, with our lions, this amounts to an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. That way, playtime continues to be a genuine source of joy for them and our visitors, forging a deep connection through shared moments.
What was the most significant challenge you encountered?
Despite ongoing efforts over four years, we still need to work with wildlife authorities to address and remove regulatory barriers, such as securing licenses to introduce new animal species like giraffes. It appears counterintuitive to consider importing animals from South Africa when Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park houses a substantial giraffe population. We aim to resolve bureaucratic challenges to enhance our conservation and ecotourism ventures.
