I have uploaded 20 brand-new photos of this "world-class" establishment into the gallery.
Clay Center Zoo Clay Center Zoo News
- Thread starter snowleopard
- Start date
More on the future plans off the zoo. This includes a prospective grounds layout in terms of a map.
Utility Park & Zoo, Clay Center, Ks.
Utility Park & Zoo, Clay Center, Ks.
The best thing would be to hire a bulldozing firm and demolish the entire zoo as it is a horrid facility that is packed with third world cages. I've visited 325 different zoos and aquariums in my lifetime and Clay Center is the absolute worst. The improvements that are being called for will mean the raising of millions of dollars and unless there is a kindly benefactor out there willing to donate vast sums of money then the whole thing is a lost cause. The zoo needs to send its animals away to better establishments.
Yes I remember reading your review of this place and thinking that $500,000 is not enough for the plan they seem to have. However, it seems like the $500,000 is just the first fundraising step in the plan to improve the zoo and if they don't receive that amount by December 31, 2015, according to the flyer on the linked page, the zoo will close. I've never been to this zoo and haven't been to nearly as many as you, just ran across the page when looking for a webpage.
News from January 2016 to December 2017:
On January 15th, 2016, the Clay Center Public Utility Commissioners announced they will keep the zoo open and move forward on Phase 1 on the master plan. The zoo reached around ~400K of the 500K total, and while the zoo has to cut back on Phase 1, the commissioners also extended the fundraising effort till construction is complete.
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On February 26th, it was announced that Union State Bank donated 50K to the zoo restoration.
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On March 18th, it was announced that Twin Valley donated 30K to the zoo restoration.
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On April 29th, it was announced that the zoo has started demolishing older exhibits on the west side of the zoo, such as the old bird cages and dog pound kennels. Animals who were living in said cages have been relocated.
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On June 28th, the zoo shared some more photos of the demolition of the west side.
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On August 1st, the zoo officially broke ground on its restoration on the west side.
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On August 13th, the zoo has shared photos of dirt work on their Facebook page.
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On September 30th, the zoo has finished excavation and is now work has resumed on the rock compaction and dirt work.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1000741573387026
On December 18th, it was reported that the building of the retaining wall is planning to be finished by Spring 2017. Also 400 trees were planted along the park's walking trails (including the zoo).
Big changes underway at Clay Center Zoo
On January 20th, 2017, the zoo announced that the north side of the retaining wall has been finished.
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On May 26th, the zoo announced they have acquired 4 parrots from a private donator. These include Ollie, a blue-crowned conure, Chicken, a turquoise-fronted amazon parrot, Jude, a millitary macaw, and Striker, a blue-and-gold macaw. They will be located in an exhibit north of the cockatoo exhibit.
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On October 27th, it was announced that they have installed stormwater drains and discharge pipes in the zoo.
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On December 8th, the zoo announced that work on the retaining wall is done and work has now started on the bear/big cat building.
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Also on December 8th, the zoo announced that a charity foundation created by Jim and Margie Braden donated 100K to the zoo. The zoo also said that some of the money will be going forward to a lemur house.
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On January 15th, 2016, the Clay Center Public Utility Commissioners announced they will keep the zoo open and move forward on Phase 1 on the master plan. The zoo reached around ~400K of the 500K total, and while the zoo has to cut back on Phase 1, the commissioners also extended the fundraising effort till construction is complete.
Log into Facebook
On February 26th, it was announced that Union State Bank donated 50K to the zoo restoration.
Log into Facebook
On March 18th, it was announced that Twin Valley donated 30K to the zoo restoration.
Log into Facebook
On April 29th, it was announced that the zoo has started demolishing older exhibits on the west side of the zoo, such as the old bird cages and dog pound kennels. Animals who were living in said cages have been relocated.
Log into Facebook
On June 28th, the zoo shared some more photos of the demolition of the west side.
Log into Facebook
On August 1st, the zoo officially broke ground on its restoration on the west side.
Log into Facebook
On August 13th, the zoo has shared photos of dirt work on their Facebook page.
Log into Facebook
On September 30th, the zoo has finished excavation and is now work has resumed on the rock compaction and dirt work.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1000741573387026
On December 18th, it was reported that the building of the retaining wall is planning to be finished by Spring 2017. Also 400 trees were planted along the park's walking trails (including the zoo).
Big changes underway at Clay Center Zoo
On January 20th, 2017, the zoo announced that the north side of the retaining wall has been finished.
Log into Facebook
On May 26th, the zoo announced they have acquired 4 parrots from a private donator. These include Ollie, a blue-crowned conure, Chicken, a turquoise-fronted amazon parrot, Jude, a millitary macaw, and Striker, a blue-and-gold macaw. They will be located in an exhibit north of the cockatoo exhibit.
Log into Facebook
On October 27th, it was announced that they have installed stormwater drains and discharge pipes in the zoo.
Log into Facebook
On December 8th, the zoo announced that work on the retaining wall is done and work has now started on the bear/big cat building.
Log In or Sign Up to View
Also on December 8th, the zoo announced that a charity foundation created by Jim and Margie Braden donated 100K to the zoo. The zoo also said that some of the money will be going forward to a lemur house.
Log In or Sign Up to View
News from June 2018 (there was a long pause in updates) to present:
On June 29th, 2018, the zoo announced that construction is going well on the big cat/bear exhibit building, and has shared an update on the retaining wall.
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On November 2nd, the zoo announced that they have finished constructing the bear pool in their exhibit.
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On May 3rd, 2019, the zoo shared even more updates. Notable updates include removing another old exhibit to connect the stormwater drainage system, installing primary/secondary electric lines, and have started pouring footings for a new fence to be erected.
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On May 7th, the zoo announced that they have acquired (0.2) North American black bear cubs. The pair were exhibited in a temporary exhibit on May 9th until construction on their future habitat is complete.
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On July 12th, the zoo announced the names for the black bear cubs, Honey and Cocoa.
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On July 16th, the zoo announced that one of its portable cages was stolen from their hay shed around Memorial Weekend.
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On July 19th, the zoo announced they have acquired a (0.1) bobcat named Arya. She was rescued from western Kansas. There are some photos of what's going on construction-wise as well.
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On September 6th, the zoo announced that progress on the monkey and lemur house is going along smoothly as well as sharing some pictures.
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On October 25th, the zoo shared some more photos of updated construction, including the primate house.
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On March 17th, 2020, the zoo announced that the roof on their gazebo has been redone.
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On May 1st, the zoo announced that the newest area of the zoo is ready to be opened to the public, alongside some photos of the big cat/bear exhibits, as well as the monkey/lemur habitats.
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On May 6th, the zoo posted some more photos of the construction of the monkey/lemur house.
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On June 30th, the zoo announced that their black bears have officially moved into their new exhibit.
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On October 23rd, the zoo posted some updates, including that portable toilets have been placed around the zoo, as well as construction on the wallaby and cheetah exhibits have started.
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On January 13th, 2021, the zoo announced that they have acquired (2.0) Bennett's wallabies named Mick and Darwin and they can be found in their newly finished exhibit.
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On March 23rd, the zoo announced that they acquired 4 tufted capuchin monkeys and are now on exhibit.
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On July 8th, the zoo announced that it broke ground for a new tropical bird aviary.
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On August 20th, it was reported that local artist Bradley Scott painted 2 murals for the zoo, those being a peafowl and a cheetah.
ART-icle: Brady Scott creates colorful murals around town
On June 29th, 2018, the zoo announced that construction is going well on the big cat/bear exhibit building, and has shared an update on the retaining wall.
Log into Facebook
On November 2nd, the zoo announced that they have finished constructing the bear pool in their exhibit.
Log into Facebook
On May 3rd, 2019, the zoo shared even more updates. Notable updates include removing another old exhibit to connect the stormwater drainage system, installing primary/secondary electric lines, and have started pouring footings for a new fence to be erected.
Log into Facebook
On May 7th, the zoo announced that they have acquired (0.2) North American black bear cubs. The pair were exhibited in a temporary exhibit on May 9th until construction on their future habitat is complete.
Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook
On July 12th, the zoo announced the names for the black bear cubs, Honey and Cocoa.
Log into Facebook
On July 16th, the zoo announced that one of its portable cages was stolen from their hay shed around Memorial Weekend.
Log into Facebook
On July 19th, the zoo announced they have acquired a (0.1) bobcat named Arya. She was rescued from western Kansas. There are some photos of what's going on construction-wise as well.
Log into Facebook
On September 6th, the zoo announced that progress on the monkey and lemur house is going along smoothly as well as sharing some pictures.
Log into Facebook
On October 25th, the zoo shared some more photos of updated construction, including the primate house.
Log into Facebook
On March 17th, 2020, the zoo announced that the roof on their gazebo has been redone.
Log into Facebook
On May 1st, the zoo announced that the newest area of the zoo is ready to be opened to the public, alongside some photos of the big cat/bear exhibits, as well as the monkey/lemur habitats.
Log into Facebook
On May 6th, the zoo posted some more photos of the construction of the monkey/lemur house.
Log into Facebook
On June 30th, the zoo announced that their black bears have officially moved into their new exhibit.
Log into Facebook
On October 23rd, the zoo posted some updates, including that portable toilets have been placed around the zoo, as well as construction on the wallaby and cheetah exhibits have started.
Log into Facebook
On January 13th, 2021, the zoo announced that they have acquired (2.0) Bennett's wallabies named Mick and Darwin and they can be found in their newly finished exhibit.
Log into Facebook
On March 23rd, the zoo announced that they acquired 4 tufted capuchin monkeys and are now on exhibit.
Log into Facebook
On July 8th, the zoo announced that it broke ground for a new tropical bird aviary.
Log into Facebook
On August 20th, it was reported that local artist Bradley Scott painted 2 murals for the zoo, those being a peafowl and a cheetah.
ART-icle: Brady Scott creates colorful murals around town
I wish someone from Kansas or the surrounding area would visit the zoo
It sounds like there have been a lot of improvements overall.
It sounds like there have been a lot of improvements overall.
They post photos on social media, at least! I'm really pleased with the massive turnaround this zoo has done thanks to their community, going from what was probably the worst zoo in the country to a nice little town park place. They're dedicated to improving. I probably would have cried if they were getting cheetahs a couple of years ago.
On June 29th, it was announced that a (1.0) red fox named Bubs was transferred to the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Kansas the week prior.
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The zoo finally has a pair of cheetahs 
Urkel and Nellie. Log into Facebook
Urkel and Nellie. Log into FacebookIan Berggren
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There cages are huge these days, here is the current animals there and some rumored to be there soon. Bears, lemurs, smaller monkeys (as you can tell I don’t work with animals), bobcats, serval cat, tortoise, coi fish, a hole live stream with ducks, turkeys, chickens, and peacocks, wallabies, arctic and red fox, a porcupine and a cheetah, a whole bird parrot exhibit, and the newest edition cheetahs in probably a half acre cage!! Rumored to be coming are raccoons, coatis, either deer or antelope Also in a half acre cage that’s already set up and a couple months ago there was a rumor of penguins now that might be far stretched not sure but they do have a huge building built with for sure cooling. Also is ranked 18 as best zoos in Kansas which is crazy!
They've come a long way! It's wonderful to see a zoo do such a big turn around.
The zoo finally has a pair of cheetahs
On October 11th, the zoo announced that they acquired (0.2) cheetahs which are now on exhibit. The zoo also announced that Urkel and Nellie were transferred back to their original facility.
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On August 7th, 2024, the zoo announced they acquired 3 Patagonian cavies which are on exhibit.
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On December 19th, the zoo opened their new Welcome Center to the public, which includes restrooms, gift shop, rental space, and a full kitchen, with interactive displays inside the building being planned for the future.
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On August 13th, 2025, it was reported that the zoo acquired a male (1.0) Asian water monitor named Willie from an unspecified pet store, which is now on display in the African spurred tortoise exhibit.
Clay Center Zoo Welcomes Asian Water Monitor | KCLY Radio
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On December 19th, the zoo opened their new Welcome Center to the public, which includes restrooms, gift shop, rental space, and a full kitchen, with interactive displays inside the building being planned for the future.
Log in to Facebook
On August 13th, 2025, it was reported that the zoo acquired a male (1.0) Asian water monitor named Willie from an unspecified pet store, which is now on display in the African spurred tortoise exhibit.
Clay Center Zoo Welcomes Asian Water Monitor | KCLY Radio
On September 5th, the zoo announced that (2.0) Patagonian maras were born on July 2nd, and (1.1) Patagonian maras were born on July 7th, which are both now on exhibit.
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