Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo, formerly known as the Minnesota Zoological Garden, is a prominent AZA-accredited zoological park located in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Established on May 22, 1978, it holds the distinction of being one of only two state-supported zoos in the United States, the other being the North Carolina Zoo. The zoo was designed with a revolutionary approach to exhibit layout, organizing animals by their natural living environments rather than by taxonomic species. This method, coupled with its suburban rural setting, allowed for more expansive habitats and a more immersive visitor experience.

Exhibits and Themed Areas

The Minnesota Zoo's collection is presented through six distinct themed areas, each featuring walking trails that guide visitors through diverse ecosystems. These include:

• Medtronic Minnesota Trail: This area showcases animals native to Minnesota, featuring a "north woods" aesthetic and exhibits for species such as raccoons, coyotes, gray wolves, beavers, and pumas. It was recognized with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) 2008 Significant Achievement Award.
• Northern Trail: Home to animals found north of the 45th parallel, this trail includes species like American bison, Amur tigers, and Przewalski's horses. Muskoxen were a notable past resident until 2021.
• Tropics Trail: An indoor exhibit designed to replicate a tropical rainforest environment, housing a variety of species including sloths, gibbons, Komodo dragons, and various primates and birds.
• Discovery Bay: This section features extensive aquarium facilities, with over 1.1 million US gallons of water, and interactive tide pools. It is home to marine life such as sharks, sea turtles, and seahorses.
• Russia's Grizzly Coast: This exhibit, a significant investment for the zoo, displays animals from Russia's Far East, including sea otters, brown bears, and Amur leopards, in environments reminiscent of their natural habitats.
• Wells Fargo Family Farm: A seasonal attraction that allows visitors to interact with domestic farm animals like goats, sheep, cows, and horses, offering a hands-on experience with agriculture.

Historical Attractions and Developments

Historically, the Minnesota Zoo featured popular exhibits such as beluga whales and dolphins. The beluga whale exhibit, home to Anookalik and Anana, was a significant draw until the animals were transferred for veterinary care in 1987. The zoo also housed dolphins from its opening until 2012, with a complex history of births, deaths, and transfers of individuals within the bottlenose dolphin population.

In recent years, the zoo has focused on new infrastructure, including the Treetop Trail, a 1.25-mile elevated pedestrian walkway that opened in 2023, and is recognized as the world's longest of its kind. The zoo also previously hosted the Great Clips IMAX Theatre, which closed in 2019.

Operational Structure

As a state agency, the Minnesota Zoo operates differently from many municipal or privately run zoos. It charges admission and offers annual memberships. Additionally, the zoo is unique in housing the School of Environmental Studies, a high school focused on environmental education.