One of our nation's most spectacular marine protected areas, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world! ... in Monterey or in a sanctuary… long, combines a private behind the scenes experience for those participating that day (not with the general public) with an additional hands-on full contact experience with our African Elephants. The PETA release asserted Monterey Zoo mistreated its elephants, citing two necropsies and an incident where an elephant broke an employee's back and arm. Vision Quest Ranch is home to hundreds of animals which have been rescued or work in the film industry. Elephant sanctuaries are sold as a place of safety, rest, and comfort, where elephants will be protected from suffering and unjust treatment. The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. Monterey Zoo is open 10am – 3pm 7 days a week – including most holidays except: We are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the best places in the world to see seals, sea lions and sea otters. About Elephant Seals Seals on the sand. Sleep like a baby and when you wake up, wrap up in a fluffy spa-style robe to have breakfast on your front porch -delivered by an elephant! If you love elephants, the Pachyderm Package is for you! How to tell them apart. Support our Zoo Click here to purchase tickets now! Much more agile in their ocean environment, an elephant seal moves on land with considerable effort, by using its front flippers and belly. Welcome to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary! Tour times are announced daily but generally happen between 5:00 and 5:30 PM, lasting 30 to 40 minutes. 1-1/2 hrs. The Monterey Zoo and its associated Elephant Sanctuary has improved the lot of four elephants, but there is a deeply felt understanding they need to improve the space further. Four species are commonly seen within the sanctuary… The state of California and Monterey County have granted our property permission to re-open for tourist travel however while visiting, guests will be asked to follow the below rules while on the property until restrictions are further lifted. During your visit, enjoy a “Meet and Greet” at our elephant play yard where you’ll have … You can see them close to shore almost any time of year! What a simply divine weekend! The Elephant Sanctuary, founded in 1995, is the nation’s single natural habitat refuge developed specifically for endangered African and Asian elephants. This tour, approx. Committed to providing our animals with the largest most naturalistic enclosures possible, Monterey Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, has successfully brought the Monterey County Communities a world class zoological property to benefit all who visit Monterey County! The Butch's Bedtime Package is a fun, educational and exciting way to enhance your experience at the Monterey Zoo. Unfortunately, our fascination with elephants has led to exploitative animal businesses misrepresenting themselves as elephant sanctuaries or sanctuary … Support Monterey’s 1st ZOO. “Monterey Zoo is a vile, barren roadside zoo run by an exotic animal trainer – it couldn’t be further from a sanctuary if it tried” said In Defense of Animals President, Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. 279 reviews of Vision Quest Ranch "Fall asleep in a giant over-stuffed feather bed to the sound of lions roaring.