Puns, Purpose, and Perseverance: The 35-Year Legacy of Roger Alink’s Wildlife West

EDGEWOOD, N.M. (AP) — On a windswept stretch of the East Mountains where the high desert air carries the scent of sage and pine, Roger Alink is holding court with his favorite audience.

“You know the smallest potato in the world?” he asks with a dry, practiced delivery that catches visitors off guard. “The spectator.”

It is one of thousands of puns Alink has deployed over the last three decades as the founder and “turbo engine” of Wildlife West Nature Park. But behind the jokes is a serious, 122-acre mission that has, over time, transformed a “silly idea” into one of New Mexico’s most vital sanctuaries—a not-for-profit 501-c-3 place built on the belief that everything, and everyone, deserves a second chance.

At 78, Alink still patrols the park seven days a week. A U.S. Army veteran and former high school teacher, he purchased a vacant plot in Edgewood in 1992 to combine his lifelong passions for construction, youth mentorship, and native wildlife, launching what would become a life-time career.

A Sanctuary Built by Hand

Unlike traditional zoological parks designed by corporate firms, Wildlife West’s DNA is rooted in community labor. Many of the habitats, trails, and buildings on the property were constructed by young people through the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and the tireless efforts of local Eagle Scouts.

“I looked back over my days of life and asked, ‘What do I care about?’” Alink said during a recent tour. “I care about wildlife, construction, youth, and the outdoors. I love building and creating things. This little silly mind of mine came up with this concept.”

The results over the years are a masterclass in “recycled architecture.” The park became a pioneer in sustainable building, utilizing “tire walls”—discarded tires stacked and packed with earth—and structural materials salvaged from old barns in the Rio Grande Valley.

“Everything is structurally engineered or code compliant, but we use or reuse,” Alink said, gesturing toward an adobe structure. “When you retire, this is what you do. This is what you re-tire.”

The Non-Releasable Residents: A Star Named Bob

The park serves a specific, often heartbreaking niche: it is a lifelong home for “non-releasable” native animals. These are creatures that were injured, orphaned, or illegally socialized to humans to the point that they could no longer survive in the wild.

Among the most famous residents is Bob the Bobcat, a crowd-favorite who shatters the image of the elusive, solitary predator. Found as a tiny, orphaned kitten and bottle-raised by humans, Bob is now so socialized that he treats the park’s volunteers as part of his own litter.

For Karry Davis, a former animal clinic worker and 14-year volunteer, Bob is a primary focus of “enrichment,” the zoo industry term for mental and physical stimulation. In a display that leaves visitors breathless, Bob often engages in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse with Davis. He is known to use the boulders of his habitat to launch himself into the air, clearing the heads of onlookers to land squarely and gently on Davis’s shoulders.

“He’s an amazing jumper,” Alink said, watching the cat weave through the air. “The contortions his body makes in the air in those split seconds—he almost always lands on his feet. He’s a good jumping buddy.”

The bond is deep, but Davis warns that it’s built on years of trust. “They are amazing judges of character,” Davis said. “I trust them to read people. I’ve been tagged more by domestic animals in clinics than by any of these guys.” To accommodate Bob’s energy and a potential new mate, the park is currently working to expand his habitat, moving posts and wiring to give the agile cat more room to run and play.

Another Deep Bond

The bond is perhaps most visible with Bristol, a three-year-old javelina who was bottle-raised by Davis. While wild javelinas are notoriously aggressive, Bristol greets Davis with a musk-scented rub and remains perfectly calm while Davis uses a Dremel tool to maintain her hooves—a task that would normally require heavy sedation.

Surviving the Storms

Operating a 122-acre nonprofit is a constant battle against both the bank and the elements. For example, a massive winter storm a year ago dumped 20 inches of heavy snow on the park, collapsing three major habitats.

“We spent thousands of dollars fixing those habitats,” Alink noted. “We’ve got two fixed; the third one, we’re still working on. We’ve got a grant written, but we haven’t heard yet.”

The park survives on a lean budget fueled by modest admission fees—$12 for adults, $10 for seniors—and a dedicated base of donors who contribute anywhere from $15 a month to large annual gifts. While Alink manages the park’s daily operations, he is also navigating personal health challenges through the Veterans Affairs system. Consequently, he has put the park up for sale, seeking a “special steward” to carry the mission forward.

A Refuge for the People

As the sun begins to dip over the mountains, Alink walks past donated 1930s farm machinery, relics of a local history that mirrors the resilience of his animals. He believes the park offers a unique service to a stressed-out public: silence and connection.

“People come out, and they say the ambiance is so wonderful because you have peace and quiet. You can meditate, you can relax, you can de-stress,” Alink said. “It’s more personal here than the big zoos. You get to know these animals like personal friends.”

Before heading back to the office, Alink stops to check on a new crew member—a young man learning construction skills for the first time. For Alink, the cycle of teaching and building remains his greatest joy.

“I’m the catalyst that helps people understand why we’re doing this,” he said. “And we have a whole bunch of people who feel the same way.”

Wildlife West Nature Park is currently holding its annual year-end fund drive. Located at 87 North Frontage Road in Edgewood, the park is open daily for winter hours from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Visiting Hours

The park operates on a seasonal schedule:

• Summer Hours (March 9th – November 1st): Open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Winter Hours (November 2nd – March 7th): Open daily from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Admission Information

Standard day admission rates are as follows:

• Adults: $12.00
• Seniors: $10.00
• Students: $5.00
• Children (under 5 years old): Free
• Membership

The park also offers annual memberships ranging from an Individual Pass ($35) to a Family Pass ($50), which include benefits like free admission for the duration of the membership. There is also a life-time membership for $1,000.

Additional Information

• Website: wildlifewest.org
• Accessibility: The park features wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking.
• Payment: Accepts credit and debit cards.