About

When one hears "exotic animal sanctuary," many images come to mind. While many sanctuaries are often exploitative of animals and a tourist trap, Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary is the Real McCoy!

This five-acre private sanctuary, established in 1998, was born from a passion for animal care. Licensed by the USDA and holding Federal Wildlife permits, it specializes in caring for various species, including raptors and endangered animals.

Notably, the sanctuary operates with a no-breeding policy, with exceptions made only for rare or endangered species. This is part of a Species Survival Plan requested by state or federal agencies.

The sanctuary's commitment to excellence is evident in its accreditation from the American Sanctuary Association and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. This recognition highlights its adherence to high standards in animal care, space, nutrition, and safety for animals and keepers. Remarkably, it stands among only 38 facilities in the U.S. to achieve such distinction.

As a non-profit organization, Three Ring Ranch operates entirely on donations. The sanctuary's staff consists of volunteers, underscoring a community-driven approach to wildlife care and conservation.

The sanctuary is not open to the general public to ensure a stress-free animal environment. But you can set up a private tour by emailing them.

Be sure to schedule a visit to this amazing facility on your Hawaiian getaway.

Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary: Fun Facts & Cool Features

The sanctuary is Hawaii's only fully accredited, USDA-licensed exotic animal sanctuary. This sanctuary houses zebras, bison, nene (Hawaiian Geese), hawks, owls, flamingos, reptiles, and monkeys.

One fascinating aspect of the sanctuary is its role as a retirement community for the State's Nene population. This initiative provides a haven for captive birds past their reproductive age and non-releasable wild birds.

The sanctuary stands out for its educational approach with its two-hour educational excursions. These teach visitors about the animals' backgrounds, their unique personalities, and the specific care they receive.

The facility's location to other attractions and landmarks makes planning a multi-faceted itinerary easy to plan. For example, combine an aquatic adventure with Captain Zodiac followed by a tour of the sanctuary. Or start your day at waterfronts like Wawaloli Beach Park, Kikaua Point Park, and Kiholo Bay before an afternoon at Three Ring Ranch.

One of the unique features is guests sometimes being allowed to feed animals like buffaloes and ostriches. You'll also witness interesting behaviors like a wild boar ringing a bell to get fruit! The tours are limited to small groups and require early booking, ensuring an intimate and engaging experience.

For an educational experience that will benefit the preservation of animals, schedule a tour of Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary on your Kona vacation.

Getting There

Here's directions to Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary from Kailua-Kona:

Drive southeast on Kuakini Highway towards Palani Road.
After 0.3 miles, turn left onto Henry Street.
Drive 0.3 miles on Henry Street and then turn right onto Hawaii Belt Road.
After 0.8 miles on Hawaii Belt Road, turn left onto Nani Kailua Drive.
Continue for 0.9 miles on Nani Kailua Drive and turn left onto Hienaloli Road.
Follow Hienaloli Road to reach the destination.

Local Tips

The sanctuary does not have regular open hours for the public, and private educational tours can be arranged via email.
Since these are still wild animals, it can be loud at times. Be prepared for a more natural and less controlled environment.
Direct contact with animals is limited for safety reasons; it's not a petting zoo!
Expect to spend around 2 hours on a tour.

Staging environment