| Location | Saginaw, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Number of animals | 150[1] |
| Memberships | AZA[2] |
| Website | http://www.saginawzoo.com/ |
The Children's Zoo at Celebration Square is a zoo located in Saginaw, Michigan. It operates without tax-based funding, on donations and revenue generated from daily visitors.[2] It is open during the months of May through September, and part time in April and October.[3]
Children's Zoo at Celebration Square is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).[2]
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Mammals at the zoo include Grey Wolf, Alpaca, Holstein cattle, Alpine Goat, Jersey Cattle, Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Llama, Bobcat, Lion-head Rabbit, Cheviot Sheep, Miniature Donkey, Clydesdale Horse, Miniature Horse, Coatimundi, Miniature Zebu, Cotton-top Tamarin, North American River Otter, Domestic Dog, Pot-bellied Pig, Domestic Donkey, Scottish Highland Cattle, Serval, Domestic Sheep, Sugar Glider, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, White-throated Capuchin, Flemish Giant Rabbit, and Lionhead Rabbit.[1]
Birds at the zoo include American Crow, Moluccan Cockatoo, Bantam Chicken, Military Macaw, Bald Eagle, Orpington Chicken, Black-footed Penguin, Dominique Chicken, Blue and Gold Macaw, Patagonian Conure, Campbell Duck, Peafowl, Ring-necked Pheasant, Domestic Duck, Umbrella Cockatoo, Sulfur-crested Cockatoo, Eclectus parrot, and Emu.[1]
Reptiles and Amphibians at the zoo include American Alligator, Hinge-back Tortoise, Blue Spiny Lizard, Leopard Gecko, Boa Constrictor, Leopard Tortoise, Central American Wood Turtle, Red-eared Slider Turtle, Corn Snake, Reticulated Python, Green Anole, Royal Python, Green Iguana, and White-throated Mud Turtle.[1]
Crawl Space was opened in 2005 and features "creepy-crawlies" including Chilean Rose and Zebra Leg Tarantulas, American and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Honey Bees, Blue Spiny Lizards, American and Fire-bellied Toads, Squirrel Tree Frogs, Red-eared Slider Turtles, Rats, and an African Pygmy Hedgehog.[4]
The Iberschoff Special is the miniature train at the Children's Zoo. It was first opened in 1967 with the help of contributions from the Carl H. Iberschoff estate. The train, which resembles a vintage 1880 locomotive, is a model S-24 from the Allan Herschell Company. Due to lack of spare parts for maintenance and general repair, and concerns for the state of the track, the train was closed for the 2007 season. The track was rebuilt in 2008, and the locomotive went through a major rebuild, to reopen for the 2008 season. A tunnel removed in the initial renovation was replaced in 2009, and future plans include completely replacing the aging train.[5][6]
The Carousel was constructed over an 18 month period at a cost of about $750,000 and 40,000 volunteer hours, and opened for riders on July 18, 1998. The carousel figures were carved by the Tri-City Wood Carvers, and were designed to resemble carousel figures from the early 1900s. The figures are all hollow to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood. Two chariot benches were provided for those who wish to sit rather than ride on an animal. Animals in the carousel include rabbits, many types of horse and pony, zebras, a sea monster, and fish. The Carousel includes carved rounding boards and framed artwork depicting local historical scenes.[7]
Fossil Find was opened in 1998. It provides an area where children can dig for dinosaur bones and learn about prehistoric animals.[4]
The Animal Stars building opened in 2005, and provides a place where visitors can view some of the zoo's educational animals when the animals are not working in a show. This building also includes reptile displays for a Reticulated Python, Green Iguana, and Boa Constrictor.[4]
The Wetland Experience, which opened in 2006, is a natural wetland ecosystem with plants and fish native to Michigan wetlands. It includes an underwater viewing area and a crawl-through "beaver dam."[4]
The zoo provides many educational opportunities including family classes, one-, two-, or three day zoo camps, various theme days, and a zoo outreach program. The Zoo Crew program lets teenagers 13 through 18 volunteer and learn about how a zoo works. Shows at the zoo amphitheater and keeper talks, demonstrations, and animal feedings throughout the day offer additional information to interested visitors.[8]
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