By Paul Kurtz

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) — It’s the end of an era at Six Flags Great Adventure, the theme park off exit 7A of the New Jersey Turnpike.

For nearly four decades, people have flocked to the drive-thru safari to get up close and personal with the animals at the Jackson, NJ theme park.  But now comes word that big changes are coming to Great Adventure next year, and park spokeswoman Kristen Siebeneicher says they include the elimination of the safari.

“The decision is being made because we really looked at Safari being a place that has remained unchanged. And we wanted to give our guests something new,” she said today.

What’s new will be revealed at the end of the month, she adds.

As for the park’s approximately 1,200 animals, “The animals are all remaining where they are, and they will be cared for as they have been by our wonderful veterinary and animal husbandry staff.”

Animal activists are happy to see the end of the drive-thru animal park.

“It is about time Six Flags stopped projecting hundreds of wild animals to a constant stream of vehicles and exhaust and unsupervised visitors,” says Virginia Fort of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA is calling on the park to take the next step and transfer the animals to sanctuaries. The gates to the Wild Safari will close for good on September 30th.