Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 5, 1993 TAG: 9311050095
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DOSWELL LENGTH: Short
The first lion arrived at the Doswell attraction nearly 20 years ago. The Safari monorail ride had been part of the theme park since it opened in 1975. Visitors could drive through in their own vehicles in 1974.
The safari used to be quite popular, with lines forming across from Livingston's Restaurant in the park. People looked forward to sitting down in an air-conditioned monorail for 20 minutes.
But visits to the park's 100-acre safari area had been declining in recent years, park spokeswoman Serena Barry said Wednesday.
Officials expect it will take a year to find homes for the 130 exotic birds and Asian and African animals. Barry said six employees who take care of the animals will stay until the relocation is completed. Then the workers could get other park assignments or help in finding new jobs.
Paramount, which bought Kings Dominion in August 1992, also is phasing out a similar attraction at its Kings Island park in Cincinnati.
Paramount is focusing on Hollywood themes, and the safari ride doesn't quite fit the picture. New rides often are based on hit movies such as the race-car film "Days of Thunder" starring Tom Cruise.
The 100 acres reserved for the animals will be used to develop new rides, but no specific plans have been made, she said.
by CNB