This park started in 1996 when Kent Buescher opened the Liberty Farms Animal Park.  It began as a small petting zoo, but rides started to appear in 1998.  In 2004, the privately held company owned by Buescher, the Adventure Parks Group, purchased Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida.  Wild Adventures' expansion died down following the Cypress Gardens purchase. In September 2006, Adventure Parks Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  This was caused when Cypress was hit with over $25 million in damages due to Hurricanes Charley, Francis, and Jeanne.