Lake Superior Zoo facts for kids
| Date opened | 1923 |
|---|---|
| Location | Duluth, Minnesota, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°43′30″N 92°11′28″W / 46.725°N 92.191°W |
The Lake Superior Zoo, once known as the Duluth Zoo, is a fun and educational place in Duluth, Minnesota. It is officially recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means it follows high standards for animal care and conservation.
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How the Zoo Started
The Lake Superior Zoo began in 1923. A businessman from West Duluth, Bert Onsgard, started it. He built a pen for his pet white-tailed deer named "Billy." This idea quickly spread through the community. Many people wanted to help him build a bigger zoo.
The Pittsburgh Steel Company donated a whole rail car of fencing. People also gave their exotic pets to the zoo. Even school children helped out! They raised money to buy two lion cubs. A bridge was built over Kingsbury Creek, which flows right through the zoo grounds.
The zoo faced tough times during the Great Depression. But it managed to keep going. Eventually, they even built a special house for an elephant. After many successful years, the zoo welcomed more animals, including some native to the area.
Amazing Animals at the Zoo
The Lake Superior Zoo has been home to many interesting animals over the years. Some of them even became local celebrities!
Bessie the Elephant
Bessie the elephant was one of the zoo's first big stars. She arrived at the zoo in 1937 when she was 12 years old. This was also when her new elephant house opened.
Before fences were put up around the zoo, Bessie sometimes wandered off. She would go "visiting" neighbors! One story tells of a neighbor who called a zookeeper late one night. Bessie was standing on his front porch! The zookeeper quickly ran out in his pajamas. He simply took Bessie's trunk, put it over his shoulder, and walked her back to the zoo. Bessie lived at the zoo until she passed away in 1974. She was 49 years old.
Valerie the Bear
Valerie was a Himalayan black bear. She had a very special past. Valerie was once the mascot for a World War II bomber unit! After the war, she was donated to the zoo in 1946.
Mr. Magoo the Mongoose
Mr. Magoo was an Indian mongoose with an amazing story. He was secretly brought into Duluth on a ship. He had been a pet for a sailor on a ship from Madras (now Chennai), India. When they arrived in Duluth, the sailor decided the mongoose was too much trouble. So, he gave Mr. Magoo to the zoo.
However, there was a problem. Federal law said it was against the rules to own a mongoose. So, it was ordered that Mr. Magoo had to be put down. But the public was very upset about this! Many people spoke out to save him. Because of this, President John F. Kennedy gave Mr. Magoo a special "presidential pardon." This saved his life! Mr. Magoo stayed at the Duluth zoo until he passed away in 1968.
