While it's not in the Nashville area, Harmony Safari Park in Huntsville, Alabama has became a really popular tourist destination for Nashville families. Home to many wild animals like zebras, giraffes, and cows, families can drive through the park and feed the animals. We've taken my son there and he LOVED it, even as a baby.
The park, however, is under fire due to a now-viral video that surfaced just a few days ago.
Rebekah Bussey confronted the owner of the park after she claims he ran into her car with a golf cart. He responded by threatening a trespassing warrant and proceeding to throw money on the ground to "reimburse" their experience at the park.
Honestly, the video shows a shocking lack of professionalism or tact.
Further investigation has revealed that police in the area have been called to Harmony Safari Park 13 times since 2013, mostly due to harrassment by the same owner, according to a report by Huntsville news station WHNT.
Since the video was posted, similar experiences with the owner have come to light as well.
It's also not the first negative press the park has received. A couple of years ago a kangaroo was filmed attacking a little girl outside of its enclousre
We actually did encounter the owner's wife at our last visit. She was also quite rude, but nowhere near to the level of disrespect and apathy for their customers as this man (allegedly the owner William Allen) showed.
And, as much as I hate to ask the question, if they treat their customers with this kind of disdain, how do you think they treat the animals on the property?
Honestly, the story makes me sad, because it IS such a cool place and only a little over an hour away from my house, but I will NEVER go back after this incident. Thankfully there's a similar place in Alamo, Tennessee - just a little bit east of Memphis. You can check out Tennesee Safari Park's website here.