Walk the world's longest footbridge above 650 rescued big carnivores
Two world records, one walk
A very large sanctuary on the plains northeast of Denver holding more than six hundred rescued lions, tigers, bears, wolves and other big carnivores in open natural habitats, viewed from a walkway running above them.
Why it's unique
Its elevated walkway holds a Guinness World Record as the longest elevated walkway in an animal sanctuary, certified at 2.34 km, or 1.45 miles, on 31 October 2016. It is also the largest carnivore sanctuary in the world, a record certified by the World Record Academy rather than by Guinness.
The walkway is the reason the sanctuary works. Big carnivores read anything above them as non-threatening, so putting visitors overhead means the enclosures need no fencing at eye level and the animals largely ignore the people. You are looking down into habitat rather than through bars, which is an entirely different experience from a zoo.
Before you go
It is a mile and a half of exposed walkway on open plains, with no shade and considerable wind. Dress for it and allow three hours.
The animals are rescues from circuses, roadside zoos and private ownership, and the signage tells you where each came from — which is affecting, and is the point.