Wannabe wildlife conservationist? Snap up this chic safari-style two-bedroom lodge house, which comes with its own animal sanctuary. It’s not any old zoo either – the property sits on the site of the world-famous Wildlife Waystation, an exotic animal rescue centre in California and something of an American institution. Grab a bucket of feed and let's take the tour!

The property is steeped in history and was home to Wildlife Waystation’s founder, Martine Colette, plus thousands of animals, for more than four decades. It closed down in 2019 after a run of 43 years and now the board of directors is looking for a new owner – could it be you? 

Love this? You could own these nature reserves for sale

The sanctuary benefits from a rural, isolated location on a 160-acre site in Sylmar, in northern Los Angeles County. Amazing mountains and valleys make this part of the world ruggedly beautiful, the perfect place to call home for adventurous types.

 

On the market for $2.2 million (£1.7m), the two-bedroom, three-bathroom lodge residence has 1,200 square feet of living space. Outside you’ll find zoo-style infrastructure including a vet hospital, an office building and some trails. The estate also has some quirker additions, such as a koi pond and even an old movie set. 

Basking in the California sunshine, the property offers huge potential for ranch living within a stone's throw of LA. The house and grounds have a wealth of living spaces, from cosy lounges to shady patios, plus an array of outdoor spaces for homeowners and four-legged friends alike. Could this be the lifestyle change you're craving?

Inside, it’s clear that the former owner’s adoration of all things wild has influenced the decor. The stone floors and wood-panelled walls and ceilings lend the lounge an earthy, rustic vibe, while the feature fireplace keeps the atmosphere cosy.

As well as the lounge, there’s a separate study area and this quirky bar set-up; just the ticket after a long day tending to animals in the zoo. The animal-themed decor means you’re never at risk of forgetting your setting. Speaking of which, the furniture can be negotiated as part of the sale, if you want to buy the whole package. As the former resident was such an ardent animal lover, we hope these horns and skins were come by ethically!

Zoo owners need feeding as well as animals! This slimline galley kitchen might not boast epic proportions, but it’s perfect for hardworking conservationists who need to whip up a meal at a moment's notice. The rustic floor and wooden panelling give the room a traditional vibe that's in keeping with the rest of the house.

From the wall-mounted pans down to the garbage disposal system, the kitchen is designed with all things practical in mind. We’re particularly fond of the granite counters, brick oven surround and industrial-grade stove. Other quirky heritage features include the vintage iron and copper detailing and the retro butcher’s block. 

Love this? Take a tour of this enchanting North Carolina sawmill 

After you’ve whipped up something quick and easy, you can take a pew in this sweet-as-pie dining nook. The curved ceiling and wooden built-in cupboards lend the room an intimate atmosphere, perfect for reconnecting with loved ones at the end of a busy day tending to rescued animals.  

This unique piece of real estate was built in 1981 and features two good-sized double bedrooms, both offering comfortable, spacious accommodation. While the interior includes swathes of dark wood, skylights and French doors stop the space from feeling small and cramped.

Before you hit the hay after a hard day’s work in the wild, make time for a soak in this gorgeous freestanding tub. There are three full bathrooms in total and each one has its own distinctive interior decor. We love this tropical palm-print wallpaper and the snug claw-foot tub!

As you would expect, the lodge is perfect for outdoor living, too. There are multiple patios and garden areas to be enjoyed, including this snug breakfast bar set-up – the perfect place to kickstart the day with a cup of coffee and the latest edition of Planet Earth magazine. 

While the lodge isn't short of appeal, it’s the surrounding land that will really capture your heart. In its heyday, the Wildlife Waystation provided shelter, care and rehabilitation for over 77,000 animals in need so there's a wealth of acreage and amenities on offer. Let's explore the grounds...

When the sanctuary first opened its gates back in 1976, it was the first of its kind in the US to care for chimpanzees rescued from biomedical research laboratories. The organisation’s mission was to rescue animals until permanent housing could be found, but many of the creatures ended up living out their days here.

Love this? These are America's most amazing estates that money can buy

Fortunately, suitable homes have been found for many of the animals since the sanctuary officially closed in August 2019. The team continues to work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to rehome the animals, which include lions, tigers, alligators, wolves, owls and 42 chimpanzees.

Plenty of quirky touches have been added to the sanctuary over the years, like this poetic pagoda, which has been engraved with the lines of a nursery rhyme written by Ogden Nash. One thing's for sure, this incredible property isn't short of character.

Over the 40 years of ownership by Martine, every inch of the estate has been ornamented with personal details. A range of well-established plants have been embedded in exotic rockeries, mature trees are covered with trailing vines and stunning carved wooden benches offer space to kick back and enjoy the scenery.

Perfect for avid entertainers, the property has plenty of picturesque dining areas for hosting social soirees or special family dinners. This grand tent could even be used for events, should the new owner decide to run a business out of the grounds.

So just what would you do with this special estate? You could choose to restore the compound to its original former glory and continue the hard work that the Wildlife Waystation began – including caring for these koi – but there’s also the opportunity to add other enterprises to the acreage too.

If you have dreams of opening up the property to animals once more, you'll be glad to know that the sanctuary underwent a recent $2 million update that included new cages and perimeter fencing, plus kitchen and hospital upgrades, so you'd be well set up for your wild endeavor. 

Love this? Discover the mansions for sale with massive secrets

Given its close proximity to Hollywood, the property would also make an excellent filming location or movie ranch. The rough terrain could easily double as any number of locations across the globe – the property, along with previous owner Martine, has already featured on the big screen in hits including the 1982 Paramount film White Dog. 

The sprawling estate would also work brilliantly as a creative retreat or music studio, thanks to its inspiring surroundings and comfortable lodge accommodation. Alternatively, the huge plot could be redeveloped into a boutique glamping site for city dwellers looking for a break from the rat race.

The sale is believed to be motivated by several key issues that potential buyers will want to think through. For starters, the site has been badly affected by multiple natural disasters over the last few years. Tighter regulations proved another issue; meeting all the federal, state and county animal welfare licensing ordinances can be both complicated and expensive. 

Despite this, we hope the new owners stay true to the original mission and focus on caring for animals. If running Wildlife Waystation sounds overwhelming, you could choose to focus on one aspect of it. The listing agent mentioned it could be developed into a specialist sanctuary for primates. Now there’s an idea! 

Listed for sale, the animal sanctuary is ready for a new owner to take it under their wing. With a little imagination and some hard work, this special spot could be a thriving landmark for wildlife and residents alike once more. We can't wait to see what's next for this unique estate.

Loved this? Take a tour of the Rat Pack retreat owned by a casino kingpin