Polar bears frolicking in a glass tunnel surrounded by 300,000 gallons of crystal-clear water; kangaroos bouncing about in a simulated Australian Outback; or hundreds of amphibians living in the world’s only amphibian conservation center--a place the Wall Street Journal described as "Disneyland for toads." These are some of the experiences visitors can enjoy at the Detroit Zoo.
Celebrating its eightieth anniversary this year, the 125-acre Detroit Zoo is located in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak and draws one million visitors annually. Special events are planned to celebrate this milestone in August.
When established, it was the one of the first zoological parks in the nation to have bar-free animal exhibit areas. Over the years, it has maintained the same location, while preserving some of its architecturally significant buildings and original exhibits.
Visitors will experience a free-flight aviary, featuring exotic hummingbirds and butterflies; eighteen-foot-tall giraffes against a backdrop of ancient Egypt; two 4,000-pound white rhinoceroses hanging out together; a Kenyan native and a former safari guide who roams the African Veldt exhibit area telling children African tales. Add to that bald eagles, camels, prairie dogs, trumpeter swans and even warthogs.
Meanwhile, parents can feel good about the zoo’s mission today. According to Ron Kagen, director of the Detroit Zoological Society, which owns the Detroit Zoo, "Years ago, [zoos] were just places of entertainment. Now, they’re wonderful sanctuaries for animals. For all of us, the challenge is to make a visit to the zoo something that is wonderfully enriching and healthy for people as well as animals."
For a visual tour of the Detroit Zoo check out this slideshow from the Detroit Zoo flickr pool.
The Detroit Zoo is one of a many great Michigan attractions featured in Michigan History magazine. For information call (800) 366-3703 or visit www.michiganhistorymagazine.com.
4 Comments
thank you for featuring my photo and for always providing such useful information on our beautiful state.
You're welcome, ercy - always great to see your work and thanks for the kind words!
Your heading under the search for who owns the Detroit Zoo is in error. The City of Detroit owns the land and all of its assets. Please change your heading Mr.Kagan.
Dear Detroit Zoo,
My name is Jack Dafoe and I am a student at Wayne-State University. I am writing a critical issue report for my Michigan Politics course. I have chosen to research the need for mass-transit for the Detroit region. I believe this could bring many economic and social benefits to the region, as well as the Detroit Zoo. In my studies, I have learned that for every one dollar spend on mass-transit, four dollars is generated in economic opportunities. It is also proven to attract new industries and highly skilled workers, develop and revitalized neighborhoods and corridors, reduce the carbon footprint on the environment, and maintain the younger think-tank generation that is vital to the economy and region.
In President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Michigan will be receiving almost $135,000,000 in stimulus aid for projects such as mass-transit. It is also believed to create over 25,000 jobs. I am requesting that your organization urge city, regional, and state leaders to allocate this funding for mass-transit in the Detroit region. I believe it could also attract new visitors to the Detroit Zoo from all over the region. The Detroit Zoo is a central location for a mass-transit stop.
Our region has been politically, economically, socially, and racially divided for decades. It is projects such as mass-transit that could reinvent the region and bring prosperity to the area. I encourage your involvement because I believe the zoo location will benefit the Woodward corridor. Thank you for taking the time to read my email and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Jack Dafoe jack_dafoe@yahoo.com
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