Lake Superior Zoo Lake Superior Zoo News

On January 24th, 2025, the zoo announced that 2 pipes burst on the evening of January 22nd, which caused flooding in the ceiling of several areas of the main building, though no animals or staff were harmed. Though they reopened, portions of the upper/lower level are/were closed.

Lake Superior Zoo

On March 3rd, the zoo announced they will be acquiring several species from the now-closed SeaQuest Roseville in Minnesota to be given thorough evaluations and then either be kept at the facility or transferred to other AZA facilities.

Lake Superior Zoo
 
On March 3rd, the zoo announced they will be acquiring several species from the now-closed SeaQuest Roseville in Minnesota to be given thorough evaluations and then either be kept at the facility or transferred to other AZA facilities.
Lake Superior Zoo

On March 7th, the zoo announced they acquired 179 animals from the now-closed SeaQuest on March 5th including 172 budgerigars, (1.1) eclectus parrots (species not specified), a capybara, a golden conure, a military macaw, a Catalina macaw hybrid, and a (1.0) reticulated python (which is now on display in the Griggs Learning Center).

Lake Superior Zoo
 
Other Early 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On April 18th, the zoo announced that 2+? domestic goats (breed(s) not specified) were born 3 weeks prior and 1 week prior, respectively, which are on exhibit.

Lake Superior Zoo
On March 7th, the zoo announced they acquired 179 animals from the now-closed SeaQuest on March 5th including 172 budgerigars, (1.1) eclectus parrots (species not specified), a capybara, a golden conure, a military macaw, a Catalina macaw hybrid, and a (1.0) reticulated python (which is now on display in the Griggs Learning Center).

Lake Superior Zoo

On March 18th, the zoo announced they acquired several more animals from the now-closed SeaQuest the week prior, including a (1.0) Argentine black-and-white tegu which is on display in the Griggs Learning Center.

Lake Superior Zoo

On March 27th, the zoo announced that 2 Northeast African spiny mice named Cornflower and Matthias were born in March 2024 which are on exhibit.

Lake Superior Zoo

On May 30th, the zoo announced that 2+ black-tailed prairie dogs were born which are now on exhibit.

Lake Superior Zoo

Today (June 4th) the zoo revealed the arrival of 2 fossa's, Koto and Mahaka, from the Abilene Zoo.
Lake Superior Zoo - Duluth, MN on Instagram: " Meet Koto & Mahaka, a rare pair of fossae

Also on June 4th, the zoo announced they moved the capybara they rescued from SeaQuest (now named Danny) on display in the red kangaroo/red-necked wallaby mixed-species exhibit.

Lake Superior Zoo
 
The black crested mangabey troop has been broken up and the five animals have been sent to a couple of different zoos. Three of them moved to the Hemker Zoo also in Minnesota. I do not know where the other two have gone, or if they went together. The new fossae brothers have moved into the mangabey's enclosure.
 
The black crested mangabey troop has been broken up and the five animals have been sent to a couple of different zoos. Three of them moved to the Hemker Zoo also in Minnesota. I do not know where the other two have gone, or if they went together. The new fossae brothers have moved into the mangabey's enclosure.
That is too bad ..., it is important to have diversity in the mangabey species being managed! What is the status of the black crested mangabey in North American zoos and the AZA region.
 
The black crested mangabey troop has been broken up and the five animals have been sent to a couple of different zoos. Three of them moved to the Hemker Zoo also in Minnesota. I do not know where the other two have gone, or if they went together. The new fossae brothers have moved into the mangabey's enclosure.
Fascinating how Hemker Park seems so consistently a 'dumping ground' for species like this.
 
That is too bad ..., it is important to have diversity in the mangabey species being managed! What is the status of the black crested mangabey in North American zoos and the AZA region.
I asked the same question a few months ago in the San Diego thread. I've quoted the response below.

San Diego, yes, the AZA? To be determined, I imagine... San Diego is down to one elderly individual, currently. The Zoo sent away the remainder of its breeding age animals a few years ago in an attempt to consolidate the remaining animals and bolster the population. There have been a handful of infants born over the past couple of years, but it is going to take dedication to save the population.
 
3 Pieces of July 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On March 7th, the zoo announced they acquired 179 animals from the now-closed SeaQuest on March 5th including 172 budgerigars, (1.1) eclectus parrots (species not specified), a capybara, a golden conure, a military macaw, a Catalina macaw hybrid, and a (1.0) reticulated python (which is now on display in the Griggs Learning Center).

Lake Superior Zoo

On July 2nd, the zoo announced they started a new fundraising campaign called "New Beginnings: Hope After SeaQuest", which entails the construction of a new pool for the capybara, a new exhibit for the python inside the Primate Conservation Center, as well as new outdoor aviaries for the parrots.

Lake Superior Zoo

On July 11th, the zoo announced they moved their female (0.1) yellow-headed parrot named Korbel off-show due to retirement.

52K views · 682 reactions | After so many wonderful years, we are both a little sad and incredibly happy to announce a well-deserved retirement for one of the Zoo’s most beloved residents—Korbel the double-yellow-headed Amazon parrot! Korbel has spent years greeting guests at her window with cheerful hellos, helping our educators and keepers teach people of all ages about parrots and their care, and even making special appearances at events like Toast to Tails and Uncorked. As she’s gotten older (52 years!), it’s become a bit harder for Korbel to move around her habitat, and our animal care team has done a wonderful job making her space more accessible with angled and flat perches. After thoughtful discussion, the team recently decided that it’s time for Korbel to enjoy a quieter pace of life. She’ll now be spending her golden years in a more comfortable, relaxed setting—surrounded by the care and familiarity she knows and loves. It’s the perfect next chapter for a parrot who has brought so much joy to so many. The Zoo Crew threw her a retirement party with crowns and banners and everything! Happy Retirement Korbel! | Lake Superior Zoo

On July 12th, the zoo announced they received a $150,000 grant from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of removing hazardous trees/invasive species, as well as planting new trees, and creating an "animal orchard".

Lake Superior Zoo

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On July 29th, the zoo mentioned they renovated the Nepalese red panda and Angolan colobus exhibits, adding in new perching.

Lake Superior Zoo

On August 1st, the zoo mentioned they refurbished the common leopard gecko, Burmese python, corn snake, and sand boa exhibits, as well as installed new filtration systems inside the aquatic turtle exhibits.

Lake Superior Zoo

On August 15th, the zoo announced their Executive Director, Haley Headstrom, stepped down in order to become the executive director of a local tourism group called Visit Duluth. It was reported that the zoo hired Noah Hobbs (former City Council member) to become interim director, with a permanent director hopefully selected by late 2025.

Lake Superior Zoo
Former Duluth City Council prez named head of local zoo
 
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