Niabi Zoo
| Niabi Zoo | |
|---|---|
 Snow leopard at Niabi Zoo | |
 | |
| 41°26′34″N 90°26′02″W / 41.4427°N 90.4339°W | |
| Location | Coal Valley, Illinois, United States |
| Land area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| No. of animals | 600 |
| No. of species | 200 |
| Website | www |
Niabi Zoo is a public
Niabi is one of six facilities owned and operated by the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District.[1]
History
The zoo's name "Niabi" comes from the
Niabi Zoo was officially founded in 1963 but traces its history back to 1959, when local masonry contractor and animal lover, Gordon V. McLain, opened McLain's Wild Animal Farm to the public. It operated for just four years until Patti S. Wiman (1895–1976) purchased the Wild Animal Farm and some surrounding land in 1963 and deeded it to the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District, which continues to operate the Zoo today.
Timeline
1972: The zoo held its first Zoofari Ball fundraiser.
1974: Petting zoo opened.
1975: Zoo Train opened and was first known as the Mel McKay Express, a 1/3 replica of a Civil War era train.
1984: Education Center was constructed.
1985: Bird House (currently Biodiversity Hall) opened.
1986: Zoo officially established
2002: Volunteer program expanded to incorporate teens in its Junior Zoo Keeper Program.
2003: Niabi opened the bald eagle exhibit.
2004: Animal care center for
2005: Gibbon habitat opened featuring modern zoo design, Australia walk-about constructed, and animal nutrition center was built.
2006: Niabi Zoo received accreditation by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
2007: Passport to Africa exhibit opened featuring
2008: Exhibit constructed for critically endangered red wolf.
2011: Zoo Discovery Center for education, administration, and admissions to new entry plaza and pond constructed.
2012: Niabi Zoo lost AZA accreditation.
2015: Coins for Conservation began donating to species conservation projects.
2017: Oceans exhibit opened in Discovery Center gallery, renovations to Biodiversity Hall and Reptile House. Became member of Quad Cities Earth Coalition.
2018: Conservation & Science Speaker Series launched and established conservation partnerships with
2019: Niabi's conservation education department helped develop field education program for Painted Dog Research Trust
2020: Niabi Zoo received accreditation from the Zoological Association of America (ZAA).[5]
2021:
Habitats & Feature Animals
Discovery Center: First exhibit upon entry to the Zoo features rotational exhibits which have included Rainforest Trek, Oceans, and Spineless Wonders as well as a tamarin habitat.
Passport to Africa: Features
White Rhino: Highlights the extinction threats facing the 5 species of rhinos as well as the adaptions of African rhinos. Features the Southern white rhinoceros.
Gibbons: With a large artificial tree and water feature, the Yellow-cheeked gibbons can be seen swinging from branch to branch.
Biodiversity Hall: This biologically diverse collection of species includes
Cats: Discover 3 species of leopards including Snow leopards, African leopards, and a highly endangered Amur leopard. Smaller cats such as Bobcats and Pallas's cats are also featured.
Reptile House: Includes many species of
Wolf Ridge: Featuring critically endangered
Domestic Animal Area: Petting Zoo for
Other animals: Bactrian camel, Ostrich, New Guinea singing dog, and many more!
Amenities
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Conservation: Guests can contribute to multiple projects for species conservation at the Coins for Conservation kiosk, Rhino donation boxes, on-line donations and attending the Conservation & Science Speaker Series.
Education: Niabi Zoo educates to inspire people to take conservation action. Programs include Zoo Camp, classes, field trips, tours, animal encounters, Zoo2U outreach, guest speakers, university instruction, and media appearances.
Animal Feeding Experiences:
Rides: Niabi Zoo Express Train, Endangered Species Carousel
Events: Animal event days (giraffe, snow leopard, endangered species, etc.), Boo at the Zoo Halloween, Pints for Preservation, Dine with the Animals and many more!
Other:
Master Plan
In 2018, the zoo released its
Financial Support
Niabi Zoo is funded through the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District,[7] Zoo admission, program fees, memberships, grants, a small percentage of tax support, as well as donations and fundraising efforts from the Niabi Zoo and Forest Preserves Foundation.[8]
References
- ^ "Rock Island County Forest Preserve District". www.ricfpd.org. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ "Conservation | Painted Dog Research Trust". Painted Dog Research. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ "Conservation | Painted Dog Research Trust". Painted Dog Research. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ "choojajauil". choojajauil. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ "Zoological Association of America - Home". zaa.org. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ Retrieved July 27, 2019 from http://www.ricfpd.org/ForestPreserveDistrict/files/e7/e736bcc5-776c-4add-8ac9-5947f74788b0.pdf
- ^ "Rock Island County Forest Preserve District". www.ricfpd.org. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ "Foundation".