Kentucky Down Under
Kentucky Down Under is an Australia-themed animal park located in Horse Cave, Kentucky, United States.
In 1990, the park was opened by Bill and Judy Austin to the public.
Bill Austin was manager of Mammoth Onyx Cave, which his grandfather had purchased in the 1920s. Peacocks and other small animals had been added to the park for visitors to enjoy on the surface in-between cave tours. A herd of American bison was added in the 1970s, followed by the Australian animals in 1990, and the park renamed to "Kentucky Down Under".
Activities
Kentucky Down Under Zoo provides a variety of activities:- Animal exhibits: Staff located in each area to answer questions. There are "encounter" areas where guides let visitors interact with animals.
- Mammoth Onyx Cave tours: Guides discuss geology and the importance of the cave system.
- Land of the Lorikeets: Walk-in aviary.
- Woolshed: Visitors learn about sheep, herding dogs, and wool production.
- Gem mining: Dig and sift through sand/soil for a variety of gemstones.
- Carriage rides: Guided tour of the zoo via a horse-drawn carriage.
Animals
The zoo has a multitude of animals in their care ranging mostly of Australian but also exotic animals from around the globe including Africa, Europe, and Asia.- White Bison
- American Alligator
- Wolves
- Coatimundi
- Fainting Goats
- Woma Pythons
- Fox
- Dingoes
- Laughing Kookaburras
- Cockatiels
- Sun Conure
- Umbrella Cockatoo
- Grey Parrot
- Blue-and-Yellow Macaw
- Scarlet Macaw
- Salmon Crested Cockatoo
- Ring-Tailed Lemurs
- Rainbow Lorikeets
- Sulcata Tortoise
- Draft Horses - Belgian and Shire
- Kangaroos
- Emus
- Patagonian Cavy/Mara
- Indian Peafowl
- Llamas
- Miniature Horse
- Southdown Sheep
- Border Collie [Sheep Herding Dogs]
- Brown Swiss Milk Cow
- Miniature Zebu Cow
- Serval Cat