As the enormous lion prowls atop the roof of the safari vehicle, his pale pink tongue licking out from his massive jaws, delighted passengers snap pictures and reach out to touch him. This apparent violation of the number-one rule at most zoos — don't pet the animals — is encouraged at Parque Safari in Chile, a sanctuary for mistreated circus animals that turns the traditional zoo-going experience on its head. It's a very strange feeling, to be so close to them, only a few centimeters away," said visitor Carolina Gonzales Baeza. The director of Parque Safari, Ivan Sanchez Lobos, said that is exactly the experience he wanted to create.
Turning tables, Chile zoo rescues animals, cages visitors
