Moapa Valley zoo gives visitors hands-on experience

A privately owned zoo flourishes in Moapa Valley's rural setting, drawing visitors for guided tours of the facility and hands-on acquaintance with many animals in the 160-member menagerie. Where else in our area can you pet a gentle camel, watch agile and amusing otters at play, touch a soft young kangaroo, feed carrots to a zebra or get within inches of porcupines dining on fruits and vegetables?

To reach Roos-N-More, drive north on Interstate 15 from Las Vegas about 45 miles to reach exit 90 onto Highway 168, the route through Moapa Valley. Drive west a few miles, passing the post office and only cafe in Moapa. Just beyond the elementary school, turn right on Henrie Road and head north a couple of miles. At the top of a little bluff, turn right on Isola Road. Head east about a half a block to the first graded side road on the left. The only sign for the zoo that you will see is attached to a pole at this corner. Turn left to drop down into a little valley where Roos-N-More occupies three acres at 746 Sowden Ranch Road.

Started in 2006 by Las Vegas veterinarians Valerie and Jay Hold, Roos-N-More enjoys the enthusiastic support of valley residents, including several who volunteer to serve as guides and to help care for the creatures and grounds. The Holt family relocated to rural acreage in Moapa Valley from Las Vegas, though they still commute to their veterinary practice in the city. Because of their personal interest in unusual animals, they had acquired a mob of 15 assorted kangaroos and wallabies, a collection of exotic pets and several domestic animals that all needed more room. Also, they had decided they really wanted a camel, as well, but had no place for it.

Once relocated, they acquired not one camel, but a couple of young, two-humped, Bactrian camels, which they hope will be a breeding pair. They soon adopted a few more creatures, most housed in compatible groups in large open areas and others safely caged in smaller enclosures with play features and dens or nesting areas. The Holts welcomed animals of all kinds from all over the world with a few limitations. To be a part of the menagerie, they could not be predators, and they had to get along with the other animals.

Of course, many of these animals began to reproduce and they soon needed a nursery. One of the nicest features of a visit to this zoo is the handing of baby animals. A complicated feeding schedule began to emerge, and the feed bills continued to grow. The Holts provided their own veterinary skills. To protect their growing zoo family, the veterinarians made sure the facility met all requirements of the Zoological Association of America. They are also licensed for exhibition and captive breeding of exotic animals by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Since the animals were friendly and curious and the newcomers were all hand-raised and used to people, the property seemed perfect for a petting zoo. In 2008, the Holts began to open the property to the public once a month. It was an immediate hit. People showed up all the time to visit the animals. The Holts recognized an opportunity for the edification of visitors, as well as their entertainment. They envisioned outreach programs and tour groups including school children, organizational field trips and special occasions.

However, their time was already stretched pretty thin, even with the help of their children and several interested locals. Thus, the nonprofit support group Friends of Roos-N-More was created last summer. The group stresses conservation through education, maintains an informational Web site, helps schedule tours and special events and looks for ways to raise money for feed, improvements and expansion of facilities.

Roos-N-More recently completed its first four-day animal adventure day camp open to Clark County middle school youngsters. Upcoming zoo days open to the public include Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and Feb. 27. Families and groups wanting to visit at other times should call Roos-N-More at (702) 467-3585 or visit the Web site at www.roosnmore.org. All visitors get hand-on experiences with many gentle creatures during the guided tours, which cost $10 per person.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.