Minneapolis - Part 3

Post date: Oct 26, 2014 2:49:24 PM

The final installment from my recent trip to Minneapolis features our trip to the Minnesota Zoo. By far, this is one of the best presented and cared for zoos I've visited. They also have a large role in conservation activities locally and globally. The only disappointing feature was the discontinued use of their monorail system, which used to give visitors some unobstructed views of the animals as it passed silently overhead the habitats. One of the caretakers told me it was just too expensive to maintain. Perhaps one day cheaper technology will reverse this decision. Regardless, the collection of animals is superb and the quality of the park is top notch. Here are a few highlights, enjoy!

We caught a brief info session on the sea otters, and I was lucky enough to catch this one completing his roll onto his back with a snack.

This napping grizzly was part of the "Russia's Grizzly Coast" exhibit featuring different animals and full of informative plaques.

One of the zoo's Amur Tigers makes his way through the underbrush. The Minnesota Zoo's attention to realistic habitats is fantastic!

This odd looking guy is called a Takin.

A prairie dog enjoys a snack. They are much plumper than I expected - not long and thin like meerkats.

A Bactrian Camel has his morning nap.

This sweetheart is an Asian Wild Horse from Mongolia. One of the zoo's active conservation efforts is to assist with bringing their population back up to safe levels.

We were also treated to a pair of baby moose (meese, mooses?) Here is #1.

This is #2.

A pair of Snow Monkeys grooming.

A Gray Wolf in his very natural-feeling habitat.

Believe it or not, this is a very-happy-to-have-visitors Wolverine. They are much smaller than I expected! Even our house cats are slightly larger.

A Puma on the hunt.

The very adorable Lynx. How can you not love those ear tufts!?

Finally, we have another of the zoo's conservation efforts: the Visayan Warty Pig. It is one of only 5 zoos participating to rejuvenate their threatened populations.

My congratulations go to the entire zoo staff for their efforts and commitment to the animals!

For more info, visit: www.mnzoo.org

-PHIL