Rhino and Okapi are coming to Longneck Manor—and you can help.
Just outside Fredericksburg—in the heart of Texas Hill Country—something ambitious is taking shape.
Not another tasting room.
Not another restaurant.
But a long-term investment in the future of some of the world’s most vulnerable species.
Longneck Manor Conservation Park is expanding—moving beyond immersive guest experiences into something far more consequential: a dedicated Rhino Conservation Center and a new Okapi Forest Habitat, both designed to support global conservation efforts while deepening the connection between people and wildlife.
Wildlife Conservation Matters Now
The urgency is real.
The northern white rhino is functionally extinct. Southern white rhinos number less than 17,000 worldwide and rely heavily on managed conservation areas for survival. Okapi—rare, elusive relatives of the giraffe—face ongoing threats in their native rainforest habitat in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These are not distant problems.
They are ongoing, global efforts that depend on strategic, well-managed programs—and increasingly, on places that can connect people directly to the animals they’re working to protect.
A Natural Fit for Conservation in the Texas Hill Country
Texas may not be the first place that comes to mind for wildlife conservation at this level—but it should be.
With its temperate climate, available land, and growing interest in experiential travel, the region is uniquely positioned to support conservation programs outside of traditional zoo settings.
At Longneck Manor in Fredericksburg, Texas, impactful conservation is being fully realized.
The 100-acre property already operates as something many guests describe as “like a luxury hotel with animals”—a place where comfort and conservation coexist, and where encounters with wildlife feel personal rather than distant.
Now, that model is expanding.
The Rhino Conservation Center
The planned Rhino Conservation Center is the next phase of our vision.
This state-of-the-art facility will allow Longneck Manor to establish a breeding group of white rhinos, contributing directly to the long-term survival of the species.
The design goes beyond traditional habitats. It includes:
- Dedicated off-habitat spaces for expectant mothers and calves
- Carefully managed environments that support both animal well-being and breeding success
- Opportunities for guests to experience and understand the plight of these animals, and how to help.
For many visitors, seeing a rhino up close is already a powerful experience.
Understanding what it takes to protect them—and to ensure their future—adds an entirely new dimension.
The Okapi Forest Habitat
Equally significant is the introduction of a new Okapi Forest Habitat (rendering above).
Okapi are among the rarest mammals on earth—native only to the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo and largely unknown to the general public. Their presence at Longneck Manor will offer something exceptionally rare: the chance to encounter a species most people will never see.
The habitat itself is designed to be immersive.
Guests will move through a lush, forested environment, surrounded by okapi and other African rainforest species—creating a setting that reflects the animals’ natural habitat which stimulates more natural behaviors.
AZA-Accredited and Species Survival Plan (SSP) Participant
It’s also important to understand that breeding in accredited facilities like Longneck Manor is not done simply to increase numbers.
As an AZA-accredited institution, our animals are part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP)—a highly coordinated program that manages populations across zoos and conservation parks based on genetics, health, and long-term sustainability. Every pairing is carefully recommended by a team of scientists and species experts to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse population.
These animals are not being bred for release back into the wild, but rather to sustain thriving populations in human care while serving as ambassadors that inspire awareness and action to protect their wild counterparts.
Decades of Wildlife Conservation Experience Behind the Vision
This expansion is not speculative. It’s built on decades of experience.
Founder Rick Barongi has spent more than 50 years working with both rhinos and okapi—in accredited zoos and in their natural habitats, including extensive work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He currently serves as the Vice Chair of board for the Okapi Conservation Project, the only nonprofit dedicated solely to protecting the species.
“This isn’t just about adding animals,” Barongi says. “It’s about creating a place where people can connect with them in a way that leads to genuine empathy—and ultimately, real impact.”
That combination of experience and mission is what positions Longneck Manor as something more than a destination.
It positions us as an emerging leader in zoo-based wildlife conservation in the U.S.
From Wildlife Conservation Experience to Wildlife Conservation Impact
What sets Longneck Manor apart is not just what guests see—but what they take with them.
A giraffe encounter becomes a moment of awareness.
Standing near a live rhino becomes something harder to forget.
And that connection matters.
It is a proven fact that people who experience wildlife up close are far more likely to support the efforts required to protect it.
The expansion of the Rhino Conservation Center and Okapi habitat builds on that idea—turning moments of connection into long-term impact.
An Evening That Moves the Mission Forward
To help bring this vision to life, Longneck Manor will host “A Wild Evening: Growing a Conservation Legacy” on June 12, 2026 from 6:30-9:30.
Held at Swallows Eve, the event will bring together a small group of supporters for an evening focused on conservation, storytelling, and impact.
The night will feature:
- National Geographic Photographer, Joel Sartore, sharing the story behind the Photo Ark
- Bradley Trevor Greive, celebrated author and wildlife champion, serving as host for the evening
- A curated dinner, auction, and opportunities to engage with others committed to protecting wildlife
Proceeds from the event will directly support the construction of the Rhino Conservation Center and Okapi Forest Habitat as part of a $5 million legacy campaign.
With attendance limited to only 100 guests, the evening is guaranteed to be a uniquely personal and memorable experience.
Tickets are $1000 per person and can be secured by calling 830.362.8752. ($900 is Tax-deductible)
If you can’t attend the event, but want to contribute, any level of contribution is greatly appreciated. Just call 830.362.8752.
Looking Ahead
Fredericksburg will likely always be known for its wine.
But as the region evolves, so does its identity.
Experiences are becoming more immersive. More meaningful. More connected to something larger than the destination itself.
Longneck Manor is part of that shift—but it’s also pushing it forward.
By combining a luxury, experience-driven environment with serious, long-term conservation work, it’s helping define what the future of wildlife conservation in Texas can look like.
Not just something people visit.
Something they become part of.
Be Part of the Wildlife Conservation Legacy
The work ahead is challenging—but rewarding.
For those who believe in protecting wildlife, supporting conservation, and creating something that lasts, this is a moment to step in.
Because the future of these vulnerable species won’t be decided in one place.
But it will be shaped by places like this.
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