Wild Animal Sanctuary Map

Artist, Illustrator, Designer: John Potter - Escape Key Graphics
Client: The Wild Animal Sanctuary
Visit The Wild Animal Sanctuary website at WildAnimalSanctuary.org

I was commissioned to create an illustrated map for The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, a renowned facility dedicated to rescuing and providing lifelong care for exotic and endangered animals. The sanctuary is known for giving its animals expansive habitats, allowing them to roam freely in wide open spaces. While this approach is ideal for the animals, it presented a unique challenge from a design perspective: if the animals were rendered to scale, they would appear as tiny, nearly invisible dots on the map.

To address this, I created enlarged spot illustrations of the animals, allowing visitors to easily identify each species while adding a sense of whimsy and engagement to the map. Similarly, features such as the sanctuary’s elevated walkway were scaled proportionally larger than reality to make them visually prominent, guiding guests along paths and key viewpoints. A numbered key identifies each animal enclosure, while intuitive icons highlight essential amenities such as restrooms, picnic areas, and visitor centers.

The resulting map combines functional wayfinding with playful illustration, helping guests navigate the sanctuary with ease while emphasizing the sanctuary’s mission and immersive experience. It has been used across multiple platforms, including on-site signage, printed guides, and the sanctuary’s website. This project demonstrates how custom illustration can balance accuracy, readability, and creativity, enhancing both visitor experience and engagement for wildlife attractions.