AFRICA U.S.A.

In 1962 Ralph and Toni Helfer established Africa U.S.A. on a portion of the 600-acre riverfront property they owned at 8237 Soledad Canyon Road, Acton. The television series "Daktari" was filmed here. The "Shore Leave" episode of STAR TREK was partially filmed here. Animals from here were used in the film industry. For the tv show "Gentle Ben", which was filmed in Florida, the bear Bruno was renamed Ben and appeared in the show as the title character. In January 1969 the wild animal park and "movie animal" preserve was flooded out. The Helfers moved Africa U.S.A. to higher ground in the mountains 3 miles south of Piru (2930 E Guiberson Road, Fillmore) on 1,200 acres in Wiley Canyon. Of the original 600-acre property, the west end became Little Africa, then Robin's Nest. The eastern portion of the property was purchased by Tippi Hedren for her Shambala Preserve. The western part of Africa U.S.A. has been purchased by the MRCA for $2.5 million and should be open to the public in the near future.