It is the seventh of June. A baby sable is one day ago and this adorable animal, in the family of antelopes, has to be vaccinated and tagged. Frank Mello, co-owner of B. Bryan Preserve drives his truck into the gated field to spot the newborn. The adults are far away and do not appear upset with Frank picking up the calf, bringing it into the truck and returning it back to the where it hid itself. I was in the truck to see it all and sneak in a petting.
The B. Bryan Preserve is what I would term as a “private zoo”. He and his wife, Judy is into breeding and preservation of African Hoof Stock for the last 5 years. Animals, ranging from endangered to critically endangered, include various species of zebra and antelope. Thus you have: roan antelope; greater kudo; sable antelope; Grevy’s Zebra; and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra.
Open to the public for tours and overnight stays, the animals are fenced in within their specific species. Frank feeds his “friends” but not close enough for contact as well as naming each one of them (suggested by the guests). They are wild animals and not a petting zoo.
He can only hold, vaccinate and tag a newborn a day or two after their birth and that’s his greatest pleasure. Frank will even kiss the baby on its head. That’s good because housing is being prepared for giraffes.
Cottages are fully furnished and the only food on the premises is fresh eggs from the hen house. Breakfast and off to Santa Rosa. For further information go to www.visitmendocino.com.
photos by Nancy Kozicki
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