Larry Ellison's Family Buys Lion Country Safari, Vows to Uphold Conservation Mission

Larry Ellison’s family just bought Lion Country Safari for $30 million. That’s a big shift—after almost 60 years in the same hands, the park is moving under the wing of the Oracle co-founder’s family. If you know Ellison, you know conservation isn’t just a buzzword for him. It’s a running theme in his projects and philanthropy.

Lion Country Safari posted a statement online, thanking the families who built its reputation in wildlife, conservation, and education. They promised nothing will change for visitors or the animals. “Our proud history and exemplary record in animal care, welfare, and preservation will continue to be a core focus in the future,” they wrote. The park says its commitment to guest experience and wildlife conservation isn’t going anywhere.

So, how did the sale play out? The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office website didn’t list the sale yet, but public records from the Clerk of Court show a more complicated picture. Two special warranty deeds popped up—both recorded on November 24 at 11:36 a.m. First, Lion Country Safari, Inc. transferred the property to Waverly, Inc. for $12,705,000. Then, Waverly, Inc. flipped it to LCS Property, LLC for $30 million. Same law firm, same title company. Both deeds list November 19 as the effective date, so the deals were done almost a week before they showed up in public records.

The documents make it clear: the sale happened in stages, through several companies in Florida and Delaware, ending with a $30 million purchase by a Delaware company linked to Ellison.

Lion Country Safari opened in 1967 as America’s first drive-thru safari park. It’s been a big draw in Palm Beach County ever since, with more than 1,000 animals roaming 320 acres.

Ellison’s history with wildlife preservation is hard to miss. He’s behind the Larry Ellison Conservation Center for Wildlife Care—a 197-acre site in Saratoga, California, now run by the Peninsula Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Then there’s the Ellison Institute of Technology, which focuses on challenges like climate change, food insecurity, AI, and disease. The Ellison Medical Foundation is also in the mix, working on aging and global infectious diseases.