Binder Park Zoo

Coordinates: 42°14′47.26″N 85°09′18.08″W / 42.2464611°N 85.1550222°W / 42.2464611; -85.1550222
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Binder Park Zoo
Map
42°14′47.26″N 85°09′18.08″W / 42.2464611°N 85.1550222°W / 42.2464611; -85.1550222
Date opened1977
LocationBattle Creek, Michigan, United States
Land area433 acres (175 ha)[1]
No. of animals500[1]
No. of species140[1]
MembershipsAZA,[2]
Major exhibitsWild Africa
Websitewww.binderparkzoo.org

The Binder Park Zoo is a 433-acre (175 ha) zoo that opened in 1977 near Battle Creek, Michigan, in the United States. Binder Park Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Michigan, and features a large array of animals and plants, including the Wild Africa Exhibit. It includes a train, a tram, a carousel, and ropes course called "Skylark Ridge".

The Binder Park Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

Exhibits

Main zoo area

The main zoo area features various animal exhibits. Near the entrance are the Australian animal species like

Mexican gray wolf and southern ground hornbill
habitats. Also located in the main zoo area are the gift shop, Z.O. & O. Railroad station, a restaurant, a 0.8-mile (1.3 km) habitat boardwalk called Swamp Adventure, and the new Conservation Carousel.

The Conservation Carousel opened in 2007, and includes various popular zoo animals such as a

bronco; the latter paying homage to the nearby Western Michigan University
.

Giraffe feeding in Wild Africa

Wild Africa

The Wild Africa Exhibit is a permanent exhibit featuring many species native to Africa. This award-winning exhibit allows the animals to roam, cage free, in an 18-acre (7.3 ha),

black mangabeys, red river hogs, and an aviary. Recently added was an exhibit for the zoo's resident African wild dog group, and the brand new lions
.

The Wild Africa Exhibit is located away from the main zoo exhibits at the west end, accessible by a free zebra-patterned tram, or a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) walking path.

Special guests

In 2003 two koalas from the San Diego Zoo were brought to Binder Park Zoo along with games and activities with an Australian culture twist.

In 2006, Crunch, a 150-year-old, 165-pound (75 kg) alligator snapping turtle was on exhibit at the Conservation Discovery Center from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The turtle is in the care of the Blackwater Turtle Refuge.

During the summer of 2008, there were numerous births at the zoo to animals that are or have been listed as endangered species. In June 2008, there was the birth of a female snow leopard cub and three trumpeter swan cygnets. This was followed by the August birth of a female addra gazelle.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d "About the Zoo". binderparkzoo.org. Binder Park Zoo. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  2. ^ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved 20 May 2010.

External links