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  • Brandon Null attempts to stay balanced on a African elephant as part of his internship. Photo Submitted

    Quite the ride

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    Friends well met
September 18, 2011

Empire native brings animal experience to Duncan

Rebeka Rutledge The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Many people would run away screaming from anything that slithers or crawls, but not Brandon Null. He’s one of those people who doesn’t think twice about looping a 9-foot, redtail boa constrictor around his shoulders.

A native of Empire, Null has been interested in animals since he was very young and hasn’t wanted to do anything but work with them as he’s grown older.

“I have been drawn to animals ever since I can remember. I liked the responsibility of taking care of them,” said Null, a former Empire High athlete, who showed some “snaky” moves on the football field a few years ago.

After high school, Null went on to get a bachelor degree in biology from Cameron University. Instead of choosing a career path such as veterinary medicine, he followed a desire to be an educator.

“I love to educate people about animals,” he said. “My own education program is being able to fill-in the holes of summer.”

The 25-year-old is now a high school and middle school science teacher in Carnegie, but although education is a nice career, Null’s passion lies with being owner of Brandon’s Outdoor Adventure (BOA), www.brandon sadventure.com., located in Duncan.

In college, Null had an opportunity to intern at Tiger Safari in Tuttle, near Oklahoma City. He was the head animal taker and his responsibilities included giving tours to the public, as well as transporting animals across the country.

During the experience, he watched how professional animal handlers operated and decided to begin his own animal education program.  It was then that BOA began to take form.

“I wanted to bring something like that to Duncan,” Null said. “It’s something interesting for kids and adults that they enjoy, while they also get educated.”

At first, as with any new business, there were a few challenges. Null not only needed funds, but he also had to acquire the equipment and materials necessary for animal upkeep; things like traveling cases, cages and, of course, food.

“It all adds up real fast,” he noted, about the expense of business.

Despite the challenges, BOA has now been up and running for a full year. Null and a team of volunteers bring animals to a variety of events, everything from birthday parties to community outings, like the recent Empire Community Picnic. They even visit retirement homes and schools.

During the educational programs, Null displays a variety of different animals for viewing. He even takes several out of their cages and allows people to hold or pet the animals — if they dare.

“My favorite thing is seeing kids who have never gotten to be around animals, touch them for the first time,” Null said.

There are now 20 reptiles at BOA, including snakes, lizards and tortoises. There are also a parrot and five farm animals that are rotated for different events.

As far as the success the business has experienced in it’s first year, Null feels good with how things are going.

“I really couldn’t have expected it to be much better, it being the first year,” he said.

Null’s future vision is to someday provide Duncan with it’s own little zoo.

“I know Duncan used to have a zoo,” he said. “I want to bring it back.”

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