Red River Zoo facts for kids
| Date opened | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fargo, North Dakota, United States |
| Land area | 33 acres (13 ha) |
| Coordinates | 46°50′46″N 96°51′11″W / 46.8462°N 96.8531°W |
| No. of species | 85 |
| Memberships | AZA |
The Red River Zoo is a fun place to visit in Fargo, North Dakota. It's a special zoo that focuses on animals from cold climates. The first part of the zoo, about 8 acres, opened in the spring of 1999. In 2006, it became officially recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means it meets high standards for animal care and education.
Contents
History of the Zoo
The land where the Red River Zoo is today was once a farm. It was owned by the George Anderson family and called "Red River Ranch." Some of the old farm buildings were fixed up and are still used by the zoo. Other buildings that were not safe had to be removed.
When the zoo started, the land was mostly flat with only a few trees. But over time, hundreds of new trees and bushes were planted. Five ponds were also created to make the area beautiful for the animals and visitors.
Amazing Animals at the Zoo
The Red River Zoo is home to over 600 animals! These animals represent 89 different species. You can see many interesting creatures, including red pandas.
The zoo also has a cool, old carousel from 1928. It was carefully fixed up in 1995 and given to the zoo by the Diederich family. It's a fun ride for everyone!
Special Animal Exhibits
One popular exhibit is for the gray wolves. You can see a family of six wolves there. There's a special "trapper's cabin" with two big windows. This lets you watch the wolves up close, both from outside and inside.
In 2013, a new exhibit for North American River Otters opened. This exhibit lets you see the otters both indoors and even underwater! It's amazing to watch them swim and play.
Breeding Rare Cold Climate Animals
The Red River Zoo is very good at helping to save some of the world's rarest animals. They specialize in animals that live in cold places. They have successfully bred many species. For example, they've had 11 red panda births by 2012, including two sets of triplets! They have also successfully bred Sichuan takin, Pallas's cats, and Russian Red Tree Squirrels. This helps make sure these special animals continue to thrive.
Supporting the Red River Zoo
The Red River Zoo does not get money from the government. It relies on different ways to get funding. This includes money from people who visit the zoo and buy tickets. It also gets money from people who become zoo members.
Donations and grants are also very important. These funds go to the Red River Zoological Society. This Society was started in 1993. Its main goal is to support the zoo and its important work.
