Meet the Owner: Bob "The Safari King" Costco

At the heart of Saiga’s Costco Safari is the visionary behind it all, Bob "The Safari King" Costco—a man with an unconventional dream and a unique vision to blend the exciting world of wildlife with the wholesale magic of Costco. Bob is the proud owner, founder, and chief animal wrangler of the safari, and it’s his eccentric personality and love for both animals and bulk shopping that truly make the experience special.

The Man Behind the Vision

Bob Costco didn’t start out in the zoo business. In fact, he was just your average Costco member, spending his weekends wandering the aisles in search of giant tubs of peanut butter, bulk toilet paper, and, of course, hot dogs. But in 2017, during one fateful trip to Costco, Bob had a life-changing epiphany. As he passed the pet supply aisle, he saw an ad for a Saiga Antelope Sanctuary, and an idea sparked in his mind:

What if there was a place where people could experience the thrill of an exotic safari without leaving the confines of Costco?

Thus, the seed for Saiga’s Costco Safari was planted.

The Journey to Opening Saiga’s Costco Safari

Bob’s journey to opening the safari was anything but ordinary. After seeing the ad, he decided that one Saiga Antelope would be the perfect addition to the heart of Costco, right next to the rotisserie chicken stand. He made a phone call to a conservation group, negotiated with Costco’s management, and within six months, he found himself bringing Saigon, the Saiga, into the store.

But Bob didn’t stop there. He saw an opportunity to transform Costco into a wild kingdom. He didn’t just want to have an antelope—he envisioned a place where guests could experience wildlife in the most unexpected way possible, blending the surreal charm of a petting zoo with the iconic, sprawling aisles of Costco.

And so, Saiga’s Costco Safari was born, with inflatable giraffes, rubber chickens, and Costco shopping cart ducks all joining Saigon as part of the wild ensemble.

The Philosophy of Bob “The Safari King”

Bob’s approach to animal care and customer experience is rooted in his belief that wildlife should be accessible, fun, and educational—but also just a little bit wacky. Here’s how Bob sums up his philosophy:

“The world is full of wild places, but sometimes the wildest place is the one we least expect it—like the middle of Costco. At Saiga’s Safari, we aim to bring the beauty of nature to a place where people already feel at home. It’s about surprising people, making them smile, and reminding them that there’s always something unexpected around the corner—even in the aisles of Costco!”

Bob’s mission is to demystify nature and make wildlife accessible to everyone, no matter their background. He believes that a visit to the safari should spark curiosity and inspire people to care more about endangered species, conservation, and the planet’s fragile ecosystems. But most importantly, he wants guests to have fun and leave with a smile on their face.

The Safari King’s Quirky Interests

When he’s not overseeing the daily operations of the safari, you’ll find Bob indulging in his quirky hobbies:

• Safari-themed DIY projects: Bob spends his free time creating inflatable giraffes and crafting life-sized cardboard lions to place around the store. He has an entire collection of handmade safari animals at home that he's working to eventually display in the store.

• Hot dog enthusiast: Bob considers the Costco hot dog to be a culinary masterpiece. He’s often seen chatting with guests while munching on a hot dog or creating new sausage-themed promotions (like “Saiga's Safari Sausage Special”).

• Jungle music lover: Bob has a collection of nature soundtracks from around the world. Every so often, he’ll blast jungle drums or rainforest sounds through the store’s PA system to make visitors feel like they’re deep in the heart of the wilderness.

• Wildlife documentaries: He’s obsessed with wildlife documentaries and can often be found quoting David Attenborough. He’s a big fan of documentaries about Saiga antelopes and even dreams of producing his own special about the animals at his safari.

Bob’s Daily Routine

Bob’s day begins bright and early, usually around 5 a.m. when he arrives at the store to check on the animals. He likes to start the day with a walk around the Saiga’s enclosure and make sure Saigon is eating properly (and not nibbling on any leftover Costco rotisserie chickens). From there, he does a quick inspection of the inflatable animals to ensure they’re in prime condition—sometimes adding a bit more air to the giraffes or checking the squeaky ducks for damage.

Afterward, Bob spends some time with the rubber chickens, making sure they’re all properly squeaky and ready for visitors. He’ll often get into the spirit by trying to engage with guests by squeezing a chicken or waving at the giant inflatable animals.

Midday usually involves handling customer questions and interacting with kids, giving impromptu tours or hosting educational talks about Saigon and his endangered cousins in the wild. Bob loves to share his passion for the Saiga and wildlife conservation, encouraging guests to learn more about the species and how they can help protect them.

In the afternoons, Bob will host birthday parties or private events, often dressed in his custom safari outfit—a khaki shirt, shorts, and a safari hat with a built-in sun visor.

Bob’s Vision for the Future

Though Saiga’s Costco Safari is already a one-of-a-kind attraction, Bob has big plans for the future:

• Expanding the zoo: He envisions bringing in more unique animals, possibly even starting an in-house animal sanctuary for endangered species. He dreams of expanding to other Costco locations, creating mini “safaris” across the country.

• Educational outreach: Bob wants to increase his focus on wildlife conservation by offering school programs and working with local wildlife organizations to support the conservation of species like the Saiga.

• Interactive Experiences: Bob is also working on a new virtual safari experience, where people can experience Saigon’s world through VR technology, allowing them to interact with animals like never before. This will include virtual tours, wildlife trivia, and even an option to “feed” the Saiga from the comfort of their own homes.

A Safari King Like No Other

Bob “The Safari King” Costco is truly a one-of-a-kind entrepreneur with a passion for wildlife, Costco shopping, and providing people with a memorable experience. His love for animals and quirky sense of humor have made Saiga’s Costco Safari a beloved destination for all ages, and his dedication to conservation, fun, and customer service ensures that the safari will continue to grow for years to come.

Whether he’s wrangling inflatable giraffes, chatting with guests about Saigon, or concocting his next wild promotion, Bob’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious—and it's clear that this quirky owner is at the heart of making Saiga’s Costco Safari a place where both the wild and the wholesale collide in the most unexpected, and wonderful, ways.

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