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.
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