What is the best time to see the animals?
The short answer is whenever you're in the U.P. However, the best time to see the animals active is early or late in the day. During the mid day especially if it's hot, they will be laying in the shade and not vey active. This isn't because they are bored or depressed but because they are content and have a full belly.
 
Where does the zoo get the animals ?
We started with animals we had as pets or in our possession for many years. Over the years some have been purchased from breeders, and several are rescues. The wolves ,coyote, marmoset, bison, skunk, tortoise, alligator, fox and most of our reptiles have all been rescued.
 
What do you feed the animals ?
The animal diets vary as much as the animals themselves. Our animals are all on diets of that are monitored and special made for that species. Some feeds can be fed to several different animals because they belong to the same class of animal. carnivore for example can all eat meat (wolves, cougar, bobcat). Hay can be fed to ruminates (bison, llama, goats). Others like the river otter are fed a diet that isn't fed to any other animal at the zoo.
 
Is the zoo open in the winter months ?
No. This is due mainly to lack of interest in extreme weather and the difficulty of keeping the parking lot and walkways open and safe with the amount of snow and ice in our area. See Video
 
If I come in March or April are all the animals out ?
We are only open May thru October. Most of the animals are out all year long even in the winter months when the zoo is closed, so they will be out. We are no loger open during March. The bear, wolf, cougar, camel, patagonian cavy, bobcat, river otter and many more animals are out year round. The animals that require warm conditions like the tortoise, alligator, and lemur are housed in our new heated building.
 
What are the summer hours ?
We are open 7 days a week from 10 am until 6 pm starting from May 1st to August 31st.
7 days a week in September and October from 10 am until 5 pm.
 
What does it cost ?
Our 2022 prices :
$15.00/Adults
$10.00/Children 3-13
2 and under FREE
$50.00/Family up to 6 people 3 years old or older.
Group rates available for parties of 7 or more people.
Yearly passes are also available.
Check or current prices HERE
 
Where are you located ?
We are located on US Highway 2, 40 minutes west of the Mackinac Bridge, 6 miles east of Naubinway. Right on the top of Lake Michigan.
 
Do the Alpaca and Llama spit ?
Sure do ! But normally only when provoked or teased. Our Alpaca and Llama usually don't spit with the exception of when they get shots or their toenails trimmed. But if their ears go back watch out!
 
How long has the zoo been open ?
We bought the property in the spring of 1994 and opened for business that July. When we first opened we had only a fraction of the animals we now have. 2019 was our 25th year in business.
 
Are the wolves friendly ?
They accept us as members of their pack, but I wouldn't turn my back on them or ever fully trust them. The female is quite friendly and allows us to pet and get close. On occation allows us to hold or hug her. The male is a bit more shy and on a rare occation will let one of us pet him.
 
Are the animals domesticated ?
Some are, pygmy goats, llama, camel, reindeer and some others have been raised by man for thousands of years and are considered domesticated. All of the animals at the zoo are hand raised and people friendly but wolves, cougar, and such, even if born in captivity for generations, are far from domesticated. Just because they except us and appear friendly they can just as quickly turn and kill as is their nature.
 
Who funds the zoo ?
Visitors do. The zoo is fully funded by the visitor paying the admission price and shopping in the gift shop. The summer admissions have to support the zoo and the animals for a full 12 months a year. By adopting an animal you can also help us care for the zoo and animals.
 
Does the zoo except donations ?
Yes, when we get generous people that see what we are doing as being worth while, we occasionally get small donations. We are not tax exempt and therefore don't receive any large funding amounts. The new tiger enclosure was helped a lot by donations from generous people.
 
Does the zoo ever sell animals ?
Yes, Occasionally some of our offspring are sold to good homes and to other zoos. Check HERE if interested in purchasing animals to see what is available.
 
Can we bring our dog in ?
We do not allow any dogs or pets into the zoo. Due to us having birds running loose and liability.
 
Can we bring food or drinks in the zoo?
Sorry, we can not allow any outside food or drink to be brought into the zoo or gift shop. It isn't a good idea to be eating and petting animals at the same time anyway. We also encourage you to wash your hands after feeding the animals and before eating. Wipes and anti-bacterial gel is provided for this purpose. We also have a hand washing station in front of the Gift Shop by the restrooms.
 
What new animals do you plan to get?
Miko and Katerina the two tigers were added in 2013. Millie the Syrian Brown Bear and her dog King were added in 2014 and Hutch was added in 2015. We added African Lions in 2017. Hyena as well as a heated tropical building housing fruit bats, reptiles and monkeys and also a koi pond in 2018. A parakeet house was added in 2021 where you can feed the parakeets . 2021 we also added Armadillos, Toucan, Kangaroo, Binturong, Snow Leopard. 2022 we have plans to add even more.
 
Does the zoo have elephants or giraffe?
Sorry, no we do not. We are a family owned zoo in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where the winters are up to 7 months long and we don't have the facilities to house this type of animals.
 
Are all the animals viewable all the time ?
Once we open for the season , all animals are viewable.
 
What do you do with the animals in the winter?
The Alligators, Tortoise, and Lemur are housed inside the heated building during colder months. All the other animals stay here right where they are.