Safari West employees worked to save preserve's 1,000 animals as their homes burned

Guests check out a giraffe from a truck at Safari West in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Wednesday, April 6, 2015. Guests check out a giraffe from a truck at Safari West in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Wednesday, April 6, 2015. Photo: Preston Gannaway, GRAIN/Special To The Chronicle Photo: Preston Gannaway, GRAIN/Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 82 Caption Close Safari West employees worked to save preserve's 1,000 animals as their homes burned 1 / 82 Back to Gallery

This story is developing and will continue to be updated.

More than 1,000 animals on the Safari West wildlife preserve were safe from imminent danger as of Wednesday, though the Santa Rosa park remained at risk with wildfires that were continuing to burn across Wine Country.

Flames had licked the perimeter of the 400-acre preserve and luxury campground on Porter Creek Road, said Safari West spokesperson Jared Paddock, but the animals, including giraffes, cheetahs and rhinoceroses, were safe within their enclosures Wednesday evening and not being evacuated.

Paddock could not specify the extent of the damage, but noted the preserve required some repairs. Minor spot fires had erupted on the grounds over the past three days as the Tubbs Fire, considered the most dangerous blaze currently burning in Wine Country, carved its 28,000-acre path of destruction from Calistoga to Santa Rosa. Fire crews and staff members were on site battling the flames and tending to the animals, Paddock said.

SEE ALSO: Thousands more evacuated as Wine Country blazes spread and death toll hits 21

Just a half-mile east of the preserve, the home of Safari West's 77-year-old owner, Peter Lang, did not meet with such a happy fate. His 200-acre compound was destroyed in the blaze, Paddock said, while Lang stayed with his animals, putting out minor blazes and shuffling animals to and from enclosures.

Lang, who opened Safari West with his wife, Nancy, in 1993, told the Press Democrat that staying on with his giraffes, rhinoceroses and hundreds of other African animals, "wasn't even a decision."

"I have a thousand souls I'm responsible for," he said.

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At least eight other Safari West staff members also lost their homes in the fire, said Paddock, many of whom came to the preserve Wednesday to assist the Langs. Though the area remains under evacuation, Paddock said several other staff members were trying to reach the park to help.

Guests and employees, some of whom packed birds and tortoises in their cars, had evacuated the preserve on Sunday, Paddock said.

A skeleton crew of veterinarians and staff were allowed to return Monday afternoon to assess the damage and tend to the animals, and nearby zoos remained on alert to assist in evacuations as needed, said Erin Harrison, an Oakland Zoo spokesperson.

Since Monday, misinformation has swirled regarding the status of Safari West and its hundreds of animals, with some reporting on social media that giraffes were let loose from their cages and running freely among the fire-blazed hills of Santa Rosa.

CONTAINMENT UPDATE: What fires are burning?

Safari West debunked such rumors, including implications that the park needed water and temporary animal shelters, on its Facebook page.

"At this particular time, we are well taken care of, but many of our friends and neighbors are not," said a Wednesday statement, urging people to donate to others within the community.

Reservations through the end of the month have been suspended at Safari West while the animals rest, Paddock said, and as the Tubbs Fire continues to burn near the preserve.

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.