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Real Estate News


TWO NC ZOOS HIT THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, ANIMALS INCLUDED. THERE ARE CONDITIONS.

By Chantal Allam
Updated April 12, 2024 8:18 AM

Aloha Safari Zoo at 159 Mini Lane is up for sale in Cameron, just outside
Fayetteville. National Land Realty


Businessman and Iredell County commissioner Scott Brown is selling two of North
Carolina’s largest privately owned zoos.

Aloha Safari Zoo, off N.C. 87 in Harnett County, is a 66-acre property about an
hour’s drive southwest of downtown Raleigh. Brown bought the zoo in 2022.

Zootastic Park of Lake Norman in Troutman is about 35 miles north of Charlotte
in Iredell County. Brown built the 186-acre property in 2008.



In total, almost 1,000 exotic animals are for sale as part of the separate
listings with National Land Realty.

Brown says both sales require a buyer to possess a class “C” permit through the
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to continue to operate
as a zoo.

He’s ready to retire.

“My goal is to sell it to someone that has as big an animal passion as I do,” he
said in an email. “I would probably stay on two years to make sure everything
would go smoothly.”



In 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued several citations for
animal-welfare infractions against Zootastic, The Charlotte Observer reported.

But as of Feb. 6, federal inspectors deemed the facility compliant during a
routine annual inspection.

Aloha also passed after receiving a citation for failing to document a bird
environmental enrichment program last November. It corrected the issue a month
later, according to the report. (See full record of inspection reports.)

APHIS declined to comment further on the parks’ histories or their impending
sales.


IT STARTED WITH A MONKEY

For over a decade, Aloha has held some 300 species of rescued animals, including
Bengal tigers, spider monkeys and a grizzly bear.

Brown said he bought the property for $675,000 in 2022 “as an investment,”
records show.



Two years later, Aloha’s asking price is $5 million, which includes the
zookeeper, owner and staff residences, its operating business, gift shop,
inventory, and a diverse array of animals.

From lemurs and wolves to Watusi cattle, sloths and a spotted-draft horse called
“Fletch,” they’re all part of the sale, according to the listing.

“Animals go with the zoo, except for a few of our personal pets,” Brown said.

An aerial of Aloha Safari Zoo at 159 Mini Lane in Cameron, NC. National Land
Realty

Horse trainer Lee Crutchfield was Aloha’s original owner.

In the 1990s, he received a capuchin monkey as a gift and, appalled by the
conditions of the sanctuaries he explored, he began making room on his miniature
horse farm for discarded exotic animals. He took in animals from closing zoos
and bought exotic animals before they reached hunting ranches, The N&O
previously reported.

To help cover the animals’ costs, he opened the sanctuary to the public in 2010.



Today, Aloha offers hands-on “safari encounters” with animals like monkeys,
sloths, lemurs, kangaroos and kinkajous, according to its website. Admission is
$15.

The listing suggests “multiple revenue streams” exist through admission fees,
animal feed cup sales, a gift shop, concessions and special events.

A giraffe at Aloha Safari Zoo at 159 Mini Lane in Cameron, NC. National Land
Realty
A Bengal tiger at Aloha Safari Zoo at 159 Mini Lane in Cameron, NC. National
Land Realty
Animals at Aloha Safari Zoo at 159 Mini Lane in Cameron, NC. National Land
Realty


ZOOTASTIC, A POPULAR ATTRACTION

Zootastic Park of Lake Norman is also home to more than 600 animals and a
popular tourist attraction.

It includes a drive-thru section of hoof-stock animals such as water buffalo,
eland, zebra and emus; and a section for exotic animals like tigers and
giraffes.



A 60-minute “Super Safari” offers hands-on play with lemurs, a kangaroo, an
armadillo and a kinkajou for $500, the website says.

There’s also a gift shop, carousel and train ride.

Price is available upon request, said listing agent Pete Mazeine, a broker with
National Land Realty.

An aerial shot of Zootastic Park of Lake Norman at 448 Pilch Road in Troutman,
about 35 miles north of Charlotte, in Iredell County. It’s up for sale. National
Land Realty
An exotic cat at Zootastic Park of Lake Norman at 448 Pilch Road in Troutman,
about 35 miles north of Charlotte, in Iredell County. National Land Realty

This story was originally published April 11, 2024, 5:00 AM.



RELATED STORIES FROM CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

Wake County


HAVE YOU LOST YOUR PET? WAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CENTER SAYS DON’T FALL FOR THIS SCAM.

April 12, 2024 5:45 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHANTAL ALLAM

twitter email phone 919-829-4522
Chantal Allam covers real estate for the The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun.
She writes about commercial and residential real estate, covering everything
from deals, expansions and relocations to major trends and events. She
previously covered the Triangle technology sector and has been a journalist on
three continents.



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Real Estate News


NC CORPORATE LANDLORD TENANTS MUST DECIDE: TAKE CASH OR CHALLENGE COMPANY SOLO?

Updated March 18, 2024 4:48 PM
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