Carnivore Preservation Trust - Pittsboro, NC - Exotic Animal Sanctuary with Walking Tours

The Carnivore Preservation Trust (CPT) is an animal sanctuary located 1940 Hanks Chapel Road in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Situated on 55 acres of land, the sanctuary is home to binturongs, caracals, jaguars, kinkajous, spotted leopards, ocelots, servals, snow leopards, and tigers. Not all animals at CPT are meat eaters, but they all belong to the order Carnivora.

Dr. Michael Bleyman started CPT as a refuge and breeding program. In accordance with Species Survival and Population Plans, CPT no longer breeds animals. CPT participates in Species Survival Plans by donating animals to other places that are breeding with compliance to the Species Survival Plans, which are focused on ensuring genetic diversity in captive populations. CPT itself now focuses on animal rescue and conservation education. CPT seeks to educate the public about threats to these animals in the pet trade, in the wild, and in the entertainment industry.

CPT depends on donations, corporate sponsors, gift shop sales, and tour revenue for funding. Private foundations, like Earth Share of North Carolina, also help fund the refuge.

CPT offers tours to the public. All tours are led by a trained volunteer who serves as a guide. All tours are walking tours, and participants are able to see exotic animals from as close as five feet. Depending on the group's level of involvement, the tour can take from 1.5 to 2 hours. Reservations are required for all tours. Reservations can be made by calling 919-542-4684.

Tours are offered rain or shine and take place at 10:00am and 1:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. From April through November, Twilight Tours are offered at sunset on Saturdays. Twilight Tours are only available to ages 13 and up. Twilight Tours allow visitors to see nocturnal animals when they are most active. The cost for the Twilight Tour is $22 per person.

Private tours can be scheduled to take place between 9:00am and 3:00pm and should be scheduled 2 to 3 weeks in advance. CPT is also available for business tours and field trips. Birthday party packages are offered. For information on these additional offerings, requirements, guidelines, and fees, interest parties can contact CPT directly at 919-542-4684.

Some of the animals featured at CPT include: a 600 pound tiger named Romeo, a white Bengal tiger called Jellybean, a binturong named Sean, and an endangered snow leopard by the name of Pena. The number of animals living at this animal sanctuary can vary, but CPT typically houses approximately 85 animals. Many of CPT's animals have come from captive breeding programs or have been rescued from the entertainment industry, rescued from the exotic pet trade, or rescued by law enforcement from private individuals.

Regular admission is $12 for adults and $7 for children (ages 4 to 12). During the off-season, which runs from January 3 through March 3, admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children age 3 and under receive free admission.

Visitors are permitted to take photos once they have signed a Photo Release and paid a photo fee of $3.