Riverside Wildlife Center

Eden New

2023-08

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Jesse Dixon

2024-04

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kaylee

2024-03

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Michelle Welch

2023-05

It's small, its volunteer based and the tour guide India is amazing. She is real in depth with the animals and cares a lot for them. Very gentle with working with children. Happy bubbly and ready to answer any questions.

Sheyna Edwards

2018-05

During a road trip on the way to the caverns we lucked up on this awesome place. From the outside we weren't expecting much but we were surprised. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. They have exotic birds, alligators, emu and so much more. The highlight was getting to see the tigers get hand fed. Can't wait to go back.

Matt Kilbride

2024-03

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Candy Mckee

2020-05

I love stopping in for the tour. What they do for the animals is a wonderful thing. The tour guides are volunteers they are all very friendly they genuinely care about these animals. I make it a point to stop in whenever I'm in missouri.

Andrea Morgan

2021-05

The owner was super nice most of the animals here are taken from bad spots a d have a much better life here. I'd like to see bigger enclosures and better pathways outside but overall not as bad an experience as some of these reviews would lead you to believe! My son got to hold a baby Artic Fox and we really dug the number of reptiles!!

Cat

2018-05

The whole place is run by volunteers. There is a $10 entrance fee and the tips that you leave for the tour guides is essentially the equivalent of a salary. I learned some amazing facts about these exotic animals that I probably would have never found out otherwise, for sure I've never been to a place before that has let me hold a baby alligator not to mention pet an emu or a Silkie chicken. They treat the animals very respectfully and you can tell that the animals live well. And in the conversation I had with one of the volunteers, you can definitely tell that they care about these animals, they are definitely affectionate towards them. A lot of the animals are rescued from either an abusive environment or an environment that was not prepared to care for them. It's such a friendly environment that I almost felt bad about leaving. Forget being worth stopping at while going through the area, it's worth making a special trip to go experience this. This was definitely the highlight of my trip! For those concerned with the rough look the exterior of the building, Please be aware that all proceeds that they receive go directly to the animals so unless you would like to make an outstanding donation I assume the building will stay as it is due to it being a slight lack of priority, and rightfully so with such animals to care for.

Tara Cochran

2019-05

This place was awesome! All the people were very nice and informative.. the lady that did our tour took some great pictures for me with my phone in the places we couldn't go. We were able to hold a bunch of animals and go at our own pace inside and outside! Groupon got the 4 of us in for $20 and we were there almost 2 hours! Loved it here!

Petunia Rose

2023-07

They really need to rearrange the gift/waiting area and yes it was sad looking building. I was a bit worried, it seemed sketchy BUT we had the best experience! We everyone was nice, we had knowledgeable and caring guide, and she included the children and answered all his questions so patiently! They went out of their way to make sure we got to see every animal up close, while respecting every creature as well and telling how they have helped so many in there. It was truly wonderful. Most are animals rescued and lots of volunteer staff so if you looking for a big fancy zoo like experience where they just care to make money for their pockets off animals, this isn't your place. Yes, it's run down and the animals are in small displays but they spend all the money on keeping the animals in a sanctuary. If you want to help and see the animals in a bigger area help support or donate to this!!! I would love to see it thrive before the big fancy one came in to steal the show from them!

Garrett Franklin

2022-05

Very very small animal place. However, the staff is awesome, very friendly and knowledgeable. Very gentle with the animals and let us handle some of the reptiles, with out charging extra 😁. Family owned business and the next generation is there on site. I highly suggest a quick stop and the price is fair.

Emily Grace

2020-05

This is a must-see. We visited meramec caverns and on a whim stopped by this little gem. It was super affordable, very neat and informative. They had a 200 year old turtle and an ayam cemani (a pitch black chicken). My son enjoyed touching all the snakes. My family and I had much more fun here than at the meramec caverns!

Mitchell Carter

2023-12

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Dena Klabunde

2023-10

I took my 9 year old son here for a homeschool field trip. We got there right when they opened. Andi was our tour guide, and she knew so much about all of the animals. She's been volunteering at Riverside for 21 years!! She was a doll, and we loved every minute of our tour. We live locally and we plan to return with the rest of the family and hopefully some friends. It was great for my son to be able to hold some of the animals. He held a snake, a skink, a baby alligator, and the cutest little tortoise 🐢.

BobbieJo Collins

2020-05

This was a great educational and hands on experience. We were able to hold snakes and alligators. Plus pet huge tortoises and an emu. This is a great addition to any family trip.

Victoria Tinsley

2023-08

I’ve been to both Wildlife Adventures and Riverside. Riverside noticeably cares more about the health and captivity needs of the animals and is more interactive at no extra cost. Wildlife center in Sullivan just seems more in it for the money, charging you to do their job for them (feeding the animals) when at Riverside I got to hold a variety of animals for free!! At Riverside you get a tour guide who is extremely intelligent to share all kinds of cool facts you would never have guessed! Everyone there is very passionate and go above and beyond to ensure you have a great, safe, and educational trip.

Marie Frazer

2023-09

My family loved this place my daughter decided to stop here. After Meramc caverns today. It did not disappoint we got to hangout with a cool alligator. Interact and hold reptiles. Meet a very old snapping turtle who was very cute. And a sweet dog in the lobby. Staff were so kind and helped you be at ease with the animals. We learned about the foxes diet and how important that each animal is fed the right nutrients. We will be coming back soon. Thank you Riverside Wildlife for the awesome experience

Audrey Dooley

2020-05

AMAZING! The lady that took us on the tour was very nice and helpful! Loved the tigers! I definitely will be going back!

Amanda Carter

2023-05

This was awesome!. My kids loved it. They had a lot of fun and got to hold several things including a snake, a frog, a bearded dragon. and an alligator. Their wildlife is very well taken care of and loved. The staffed is very knowledgeable. Our your guide Veronica was wonderful and was very good with my kids and helping them handle the wildlife

Lucas Ralston

2021-05

It seems quite run down there they must not get a lot of people. I kind of felt sorry for the animals but they seemed treated well. the coolest part is it that you hold some of the animals I mean reptiles like Pythons I gotta hold a baby alligator

Alicia

2022-05

If you are on your way to or from the caverns take a quick detour and see the animals. You can tell they really enjoy there time with all the animals.

Carmelia Coney

2018-05

Great place. Awesome tour guide. She was had great knowledge. It does smell like wildlife lol

Johnny Busch

2022-05

Worth the cost, loved being able to handle some of the animals.

Tabi

2023-05

paid 60$ to see abused, unhappy animals. dirty enclosures that were far too small for them, and most of them had no water in the 80+ degrees heat. apparently the new owner used to do "rattlesnake roundups" which is unfortunate seeing as they keep a lot of snakes and reptiles. the animals deserve better.

Dawn Hurst

2024-01

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Sudie Fischer

2023-05

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Heather Whited

2021-05

the tour was amazing. Our Tour guide was very knowledgeable and compassionate about all the animals.

Chad Wilkins

2021-05

Just kind of a neat extra stop visiting Meremac Caverns! I think it was $8 for adults and u get to hold a gator. Pretty affordable in my opinion!

Jeff Williams

2023-05

Much more than alligator farm. Take your time, look around at the life long collection in the shop. Ask question along the tour.