Ralph Helfer is an American ethologist and a creator of Marine World/Africa USA. He was born on April 9, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois.

Helfer is also a well-known Hollywood animal trainer who was one of the first to use affection and kindness to train wild animals. He is the author of several books about animals, including The Beauty of the Beasts.

Currently, he resides in Los Angeles and Kenya, where he leads safari tours.