Binder Park Zoo

Infobox zoo
zoo_name=Binder Park Zoo


image_caption=Gibbon at Binder Park Zoo.
location=Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
coordinates= coord|42|14|47.26|N|85|09|18.08|W|type:landmark_scale:2500
members=AZA
exhibits=Wild Africa
website=http://www.binderparkzoo.org/

Binder Park Zoo is a zoo located near Battle Creek, Michigan, which features a large array of animals and plants, including their Wild Africa Exhibit. Binder Park Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Michigan. It includes a train, tram, and a recently added carousel. In the near future, the zoo is adding a theater.

Main Zoo Area

The main zoo area features animal exhibits including prairie dogs, snow leopards, cheetahs, red panda, and red kangaroo. Also located in the main zoo is the Miller Children's Zoo, gift shop, Z.O. & O. Railroad station, a restaurant, a 0.8 mile habitat boarwalk called Swamp Adventure, and the new Conservation Carousel.

Miller Children's Zoo

Binder Park Zoo features an exhibit aimed at children in which many of the animals can be interacted with. Children's Zoo features goats, llamas, Guinea pigs, and other small domestic animals. There is also a small dinosaur area with a large brachiosaurus sculpture and a playground.

Wild Africa

The Wild Africa Exhibit at Binder Park Zoo is a permanent exhibit featuring giraffes, zebras, ostriches, vultures, stork, and antelope. This award winning exhibit allows the animals to roam, cage free, in a vast savannah-like setting, very similar to how they might be viewed in the wild. To get a closer view, there is a one way, 4/5 mile loop that begins and ends in a small African themed village, selling souvenirs and food and beverages. The trail itself is themed to resemble a trail inside an African National Park complete with a ranger station and fake poachers. Along the trail there is an opportunity to feed giraffes at the Twiga Overlook. Park visitors view the giraffes from a raised platform that places them at eye level with the animals. Biscuits that are available for purchase can be place in the palm of your hand where the giraffes will retrieve them with their 18 inch tongues. Other species are included in savanna settings, a walk-through aviary, and other small exhibits. Some of which include African Wild Dogs, Colobus & Black Mangabeys, and a forest farm featuring several African Domestic Animals.

The Wild Africa Exhibit is located away from the main zoo exhibits at the west end, accessible by a free Zebra-patterned tram, or a half-mile walking path.

Special guests

In 2003, two koalas from the San Diego Zoo, were brought to Binder Park Zoo from May to September in 2003, along with games and activities with an Australian culture twist.

In 2006 "Crunch," a 150 year old, 165 lb Alligator Snapping Turtle was on exhibit at Binder Park Zoo in 2006 at the Conservation Discovery Center building from Memorial day to Labor day. The turtle is in the care of the Blackwater Turtle Refuge.

The Conservation Carousel opened in 2007, which has various popular zoo animals such as a polar bear, a tiger, and a bronco; the latter paying homage to the nearby Western Michigan University.

Cheetah Chase

Each June the zoo hosts a 5k run called the Cheetah Chase. Participants can choose between a 5k run, 5k walk, or a fun run for those 10 and under. The race course winds through the zoo and offers panoramic views of the African savannah along the way.

External links

* [http://www.binderparkzoo.org/ Official Website]