Scovill Zoo
39°49′44″N 88°54′24″W / 39.82889°N 88.90667°W
| Scovill Zoo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date opened | 1967 |
| Location | Decatur, Illinois, United States |
| No. of animals | 400 |
| No. of species | 96 |
| Memberships | AZA,[1] AAZK[2] |
| Public transit access |  DPTS |
| Website | scovillzoo |
Scovill Zoo in
History
In 1947, Guy Norman and Rose Scovill donated the property for Scovill Gardens (which now include the Scovill Zoo) to the Decatur Park District.[3]
The zoo first opened to the public in Decatur, Illinois in 1967 under the name of Scovill Farm. The Kiwanis Club had donated $14,000 to begin building the farm; initially it housed pigs, chickens, goats, and other farm animals. Additional donations were obtained to cover construction costs, which totaled $56,000.
Scovill Zoo, as it is now called, houses hundreds of animals from nearly one hundred species including
Scovill Zoo director, Mike Borders, retired in 2008 after serving at Scovill for many years. The current director, Dave Webster has been at the Scovill Zoo for 20 years. Assistant Director Ken Frye came on board in 2009.
Conservation projects
Scovill Zoo places great emphasis on conservation through education and donation of funds to support organizations working to conserve both animal populations as well as the environment.
AAZK chapter
The American Association of Zoo Keepers was formed in 1967 in San Diego, California. It serves as an educational opportunity for zookeepers to learn from one another and continue education. Scovill Zoo formed its own chapter in 2007. The chapter aids in conservation projects such as Bowling for Rhinos, golden lion tamarin of Brazil conservation, De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust, and the Snow Leopard Trust.[4]
Cheetah conservation
Scovill Zoo's two African cheetahs, Jafari and Runako, were born in Africa before coming to live at Scovill Zoo. Due to threats to their habitat as well as other factors, cheetahs have been placed on the list of threatened species. Scovill Zoo is doing its part to help cheetahs survive by donating five cents of each paid zoo admission. The money collected goes to the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Conservation Centre.
The money raised by admissions goes to the organization's census study of free-roaming cheetahs in South Africa. The organization uses radio collars and survey farmers to try to gain a better grasp on the number of cheetahs still roaming Africa. With more information, the organization hopes to be able to learn more about where the cheetahs are and help cheetahs and humans coexist more peacefully.[4]
Save a Rainforest
By donating to the Conservation Parking Meter, set up by the Center for Ecosystem Survival, at Scovill Zoo, guests are able to give money to the Rincon Rainforest, which is 13,838 acres (56.00 km2) along the north edge of the eastern part of the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, in Costa Rica.[4]
Children's education
"Scovill Zoo’s education programs offer opportunities designed to help animal lovers of all ages explore and discover the animal kingdom through unique and innovative experiences. From our Zoo Academy to our Mobile Zoo, our education programs provide fun, hands-on connections to the animal world", states the Scovill Zoo website.[4]
Classes and programs are as follows:[5]
| Animal Crackers | Critter Encounters | Zoo Kids | Zoo Camp | Zoo Crew | Mobile Zoo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 3 to 5 years old | 1st and 2nd graders | 3rd graders | 4th graders | 5th thru 8th graders | All Ages |
| Time | Once a month | Throughout the summer | Summer mornings | Summer 5-day session | Summer 2 week 3-hour sessions | All-year round, except May |
| Description | "Listen to a story, meet exciting animals, complete a fun craft, and enjoy a snack" | "Listen to a story, meet an animal, complete a craft, and participate in an exciting activity" | "Explore the wonderful world of animals as they study habitats" | "Explore the zoo to learn about animal life and classification" | "Covers various topics with hands-on projects, zoo chores, and a chance to make new friends" [6] | "For a unique, hands-on animal experience, let Scovill Zoo bring the zoo to you" |
Features
The Z.O. & O. Express Train The Z.O. & O. Express Train travels a 1-mile (1.6 km) path through the zoo. The passengers receive a guided tour and behind-the-scenes look at some of the animals residing at Scovill Zoo. Originally added in 1984, the train is a modeled after an 1863 C. P. Huntington steam train.[4]
The Endangered Species Carousel The
Exhibits
Seasonal adjustments
Because of Illinois' changing climate, Scovill Zoo must make special accommodations for some of the animals in residence.
Summer
Scovill Zoo responds to high rises in temperature during the summer months by using fans, pools, and a variety of frozen treats for their animals. Though each animal is supplied with shade in their habitat, animals with thick fur coats like the wolves can still overheat. Zookeepers often prepare "frozen blood balls" for the wolves out of the drippings of their meat diet. Other animals, such as the pelicans, are misted by keepers or provided with fans and pools.[7]
Winter
The zoo, which closes to the public during the winter months, has made several adjustments to existing habitats and has added new buildings to house animals that are not equipped for the drop in temperature. Acclimated animals such as wolves and cheetahs are allowed to remain in their exhibits all year long; animals from non-acclimated species, such as tropical birds, alligators, and primates, are moved to heated buildings.[8]
Scovill Zoo is typically open from the start of April until the end of October.
Following is a list of animals that can be found at Scovill Zoo:[4]
Birds
|
|
Fish
Insects and spiders
Mammals
|
|
Reptiles and amphibians
|
|
Notes
- ^ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ "American Association of Zoo Keepers". aazk.org. AAZK. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ "Scovill family big supporters of Decatur community". Herald Review. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Scovill Zoo". decatur-parks.org. Scovill Zoo. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ Critter Chatter Spring 2009, http://www.decatur-parks.org/zoo/pdf/21.pdf, scovillzoo.com, accessed October 19, 2009.
- ^ Children learn about caring for animals through Zoo Crew Program, herald-review.com, July 25, 2007, accessed October 6, 2009.
- ^ Hot time at the zoo: Shade, water, frozen treats keep animals cool, herald-review.com, August 5, 2007, accessed October 6, 2009.
- ^ Winter at the Zoo, scovillzoo.com, November 20, 2007, accessed October 6, 2009.