Exotic Game Ranch

On Thursday night, the Texas Senate held its annual end-of-session party at the Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Game Ranch just south of Austin. I've been interning for a state senator since January and received an invitation to attend the event. Who knew Central Texas could look so much like the African savannah.

The TDS Exotic Game Ranch only opens its doors to nonprofits holding meetings or celebrations. It is not open to the general public. The land on which deer, antelope, gazzelle, zebra, and various other critters run free is located next to Austin's dump. In 30 or 40 years, the land will become dump itself.

By next year, however, the animals will be moved to an exotic game park nearby that will be open to the public. In addition to the animals running free, the ranch also had camels, rhinos, wallabies, and giraffes in enclosed areas. My favorite part of the night was meeting the two giraffes, Stretch and Spot.