From 1970 to 1984, Lion Country Safari let children of all ages experience the sights and sounds of an African safari from the safety and comfort of their cars as Southern California's first wild animal park. Millions of Americans and visitors from around the world came for the chance to observe free-roaming lions, hippopotami, elephants, giraffes, and other wild animals. One of the park's most famous residents was Frasier, a former circus lion who died in 1972. The lone oak tree on the hillside across San Diego Creek is Frasier's Tree, named in honor of the beloved lion and his role in helping many people gain a better understanding of and respect for the earth's wild inhabitants.
