Opening day for Zoo Idaho
Today, the sun was out and the weather was warm making for a beautiful opening day at Zoo Idaho. Hundreds of people flocked to the zoo with their children to see indigenous animals to Idaho.
Among the turkeys, elk, and buffalo, the grizzly bears were out playing in their enclosure. Despite several years of zoo construction, plans to open more exhibits may come sooner than expected.
“Our big top priority is our wetlands facility. This is an 8-acre facility, it’s up top where our old bison, elk, and pronghorn exhibit used to be,” zoo superintendent Peter Pruett said.
Right now, it like a construction site. But, it’s been recently seeded with native grass and once it grows, it will become and breeding facility for trumpeter swans.
“It’ll probably be finished by the end of next year. Basically, 3 and a half acres of open water and that is really about the area a breeding pair will need and to fend,” Pruett said.
In addition to the wetlands facility, the zoo also plans to add a pollinator garden, a cabin themed gift shop, and an animal-contact exhibit. However, their main effort is wildlife conservation.
“Conservation starts at our front door. We work directly with Idaho fish and game and U.S. fish and wildlife services, almost all of our animals have come through them as animals that can’t thrive in the wild.”
This provides visitors with an exceptional experience while also giving animals a second chance at life.
