Shalom Wildlife Zoo Shalom Wildlife Zoo News

On January 1st, 2024, the zoo announced they bought 20 additional acres of property in November, including a stream, pond, and black walnut forest. The zoo is currently working on designing exhibits based on the acres.

2024 update. Shalom Wildlife... - Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On February 28th, the zoo announced they are currently constructing a new exhibit for their European mouflon. The zoo also teased that on the recently acquired land they will be building new exhibits for their male fallow deer as well as a new grey wolf exhibit.

Zoo Expandition update: The blizzard we had on January 12th put us about 4 weeks behind schedule. Despite the weather related setback we recently... | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook
 
On March 17th, the zoo announced that they upgraded the petting zoo area, adding new shelters, fencing, animal handling chute for maintenance, and doubling the size of the visitor gathering/animal feeding station.

The Farm Petting Zoo at Shalom is getting an upgrade. Periodic upgrades and daily maintenance of all enclosures is required to have happy and healthy... | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook

On April 11th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) domestic zebu named Eclipse was born.

Three days after a full moon is usually when the babies are born. Not only did we have a baby zebra born today we had our first baby zebu too. This... | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook

On March 29th, the zoo announced they installed 2 sculptures of a female polar bear with 2 cubs and a male polar bear.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On April 11th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) plains zebra named Zippy was born.

Just now! Happy Birthday Zippy! Back on March 5th we posted a picture of Zesse (mom). Her tummy looked really round. About 140 people gave their guess to... | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook

On April 14th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) ring-tailed lemur named Junior was born.

The lemurs are outdoors for the season including "Junior". | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook
 
On May 25th, the zoo announced that 2 domestic goats (breed not specified) were born.

Kids having fun. | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook

On April 23rd, the zoo announced that (2.1) grey wolves were born which are on exhibit. They were later named Eskimo, Mush, and Frenchy.

New timber wolf family at Shalom. Shenandoah had babies on Sunday. The father is Shadow. Shadow is the black male. Back in January Shenandoah was... | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook
Meet the Kiss family. Member #1. The baby wolves are 9 days old and that means we can sex them. Once we know the sex they get names. This little boy will... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook
The Kiss family. Member #2. At nine days old mother has a deep bond and will not reject them if touched by humans. If the pups were to be bottle fed,... | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook
The Kiss Family. Member #3. Two boys and yes we have a girl. She is the smallest of the three pups. This little doll is solid and healthy. All the pups... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On February 28th, the zoo announced they are currently constructing a new exhibit for their European mouflon. The zoo also teased that on the recently acquired land they will be building new exhibits for their male fallow deer as well as a new grey wolf exhibit.

Zoo Expandition update: The blizzard we had on January 12th put us about 4 weeks behind schedule. Despite the weather related setback we recently... | By Shalom Wildlife SanctuaryFacebook

On May 2nd, the zoo announced that the additional acreage would be opening to the public sometime in August due to several environmental factors along with other renovations to the facility.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On May 26th, the zoo announced that a white-tailed "pied" deer was born. On May 28th, the zoo announced that a further 5 white-tailed "pied" deer were born.

Wowzee's fathered his first pied whitetail fawn. This little one has excellent markings. Normally they only have white faces or a white patch on their... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
 
On June 22nd, the zoo announced that a (0.1) American bison named Buffy was born.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

[On May 2nd, the zoo announced that the additional acreage would be opening to the public sometime in August due to several environmental factors along with other renovations to the facility.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On July 18th, the zoo announced that the grand opening was pushed to mid-September, though they built 2 bridges.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
 

On August 18th, the zoo announced that 2+ greater rheas hatched several weeks prior but were all preyed upon by a wild red-shouldered hawk.

91K views · 2.8K reactions | Never giving up on his responsibility. The male rhea hatches the eggs from many females. Several chicks were hatched three weeks ago but they were preyed... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On August 21st, the zoo announced they moved their pied white-tailed deer herd and white white-tailed deer herd to the new property.

54K views · 2.3K reactions | A Grand Opening for the zoo expansion will be September 22nd, the first day of Autumn. The new area is called Hidden Valley. The fencing, pond, bridges,... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On July 18th, the zoo announced that the grand opening was pushed to mid-September, though they built 2 bridges.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On September 21st, the zoo opened the new property, known as Hidden Valley, to the public. The zoo also announced that 1/3 of the land was set aside as an undeveloped environmental corridor.

65K views · 2.3K reactions | The zoo addition called "Hidden Valley" is ready for visitors. There wasn't a ribbon cutting but there was a fence rolling instead. The opening honors... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On October 23rd, the zoo announced they built a new exhibit for (1.0) generic tiger King which is on display between the capybaras and (0.2) plains zebras Sugar and Spice.

50K views · 4.1K reactions | King is in his new home. Sugar and Spice were excited to see him. | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On October 14th, the zoo announced that (1.1) nilgai were born 2 weeks prior which are on exhibit.

31K views · 1.8K reactions | The Nilgai are native to India. About two weeks ago they had their babies, one boy and one girl. Moms are starting to bring the little ones out of hiding. | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On October 22nd, the zoo announced they moved (5+.0) fallow deer to a new exhibit inside Hidden Valley.

17K views · 1.3K reactions | The fallow bucks have been moved over into the new zoo expansion area. With no lady deer in that area the boys spend much time sparring with each other. | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On November 1st, the zoo announced that a (0.1) pied white-tailed deer named Suspenders was born. On November 18th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) pied white-tailed deer named Elvis was born.

38K views · 1.8K reactions | This pied fawn's name is "Suspenders". She is on her own for a few days while mom is having a date with Slade or Dj or maybe both. Does are often bred by... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On November 26th, the zoo announced they built a new exhibit for their (0.1) American mink Eva.

28K views · 3K reactions | Update: Hi! Rob is doing great today, had pain control issues overnight. Chest tubes were removed so feeling a little better. He should be able to start... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On December 21st, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) arctic fox/red fox hybrid named Snowflake after it was found wandering in a Walmart parking lot.

489K views · 10K reactions | Hello do you know me? I hope you do. The zookeepers at Shalom are really nice to me, they call me Snowflake. I don't think that is my real name. It's a... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On March 10th, 2025, the zoo announced they acquired (1.3) Transcaspian urials which are on exhibit.

29K views · 2.3K reactions | Shalom gets a new species, the Transcaspian urial. Transcaspian urials are native to Northern India to Iran and live in herds, typically with a dominant... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On March 20th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) red-necked wallaby named Wally as well as (0.2) red-necked wallabies 6 weeks prior which are on display in the red kangaroo exhibit.

37K views · 3K reactions | New at Shalom a trio of Bennett's wallabies. Videoed this afternoon hanging out with Louie the red kangaroo is Wally the wallaby. We received Wally and... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On April 12th, the zoo announced they built a new exhibit for their (1.1) American black bears Buster and Molly which is open to the public.

32K views · 2.6K reactions | Black bears Molly and Buster were moved into their new wild habitat late yesterday afternoon. DNR Game Wardens Zack and Steve gave us the thumbs up on... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On May 1st, the zoo announced that a (0.1) plains zebra named Sneezy was born which is on exhibit.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On May 13th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) American (white) bison named Spunky was born which is now on exhibit.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On June 1st, the zoo announced that a (1.0) white-tailed (tan) deer was born, with a (0.1) white-tailed (pied) deer born a day later.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
 

On August 18th, the zoo announced that 2+ greater rheas hatched several weeks prior but were all preyed upon by a wild red-shouldered hawk.

91K views · 2.8K reactions | Never giving up on his responsibility. The male rhea hatches the eggs from many females. Several chicks were hatched three weeks ago but they were preyed... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On August 21st, the zoo announced they moved their pied white-tailed deer herd and white white-tailed deer herd to the new property.

54K views · 2.3K reactions | A Grand Opening for the zoo expansion will be September 22nd, the first day of Autumn. The new area is called Hidden Valley. The fencing, pond, bridges,... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook



On September 21st, the zoo opened the new property, known as Hidden Valley, to the public. The zoo also announced that 1/3 of the land was set aside as an undeveloped environmental corridor.

65K views · 2.3K reactions | The zoo addition called "Hidden Valley" is ready for visitors. There wasn't a ribbon cutting but there was a fence rolling instead. The opening honors... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On October 23rd, the zoo announced they built a new exhibit for (1.0) generic tiger King which is on display between the capybaras and (0.2) plains zebras Sugar and Spice.

50K views · 4.1K reactions | King is in his new home. Sugar and Spice were excited to see him. | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On October 14th, the zoo announced that (1.1) nilgai were born 2 weeks prior which are on exhibit.

31K views · 1.8K reactions | The Nilgai are native to India. About two weeks ago they had their babies, one boy and one girl. Moms are starting to bring the little ones out of hiding. | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On October 22nd, the zoo announced they moved (5+.0) fallow deer to a new exhibit inside Hidden Valley.

17K views · 1.3K reactions | The fallow bucks have been moved over into the new zoo expansion area. With no lady deer in that area the boys spend much time sparring with each other. | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On November 1st, the zoo announced that a (0.1) pied white-tailed deer named Suspenders was born. On November 18th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) pied white-tailed deer named Elvis was born.

38K views · 1.8K reactions | This pied fawn's name is "Suspenders". She is on her own for a few days while mom is having a date with Slade or Dj or maybe both. Does are often bred by... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On November 26th, the zoo announced they built a new exhibit for their (0.1) American mink Eva.

28K views · 3K reactions | Update: Hi! Rob is doing great today, had pain control issues overnight. Chest tubes were removed so feeling a little better. He should be able to start... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On December 21st, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) arctic fox/red fox hybrid named Snowflake after it was found wandering in a Walmart parking lot.

489K views · 10K reactions | Hello do you know me? I hope you do. The zookeepers at Shalom are really nice to me, they call me Snowflake. I don't think that is my real name. It's a... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On March 10th, 2025, the zoo announced they acquired (1.3) Transcaspian urials which are on exhibit.

29K views · 2.3K reactions | Shalom gets a new species, the Transcaspian urial. Transcaspian urials are native to Northern India to Iran and live in herds, typically with a dominant... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On March 20th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) red-necked wallaby named Wally as well as (0.2) red-necked wallabies 6 weeks prior which are on display in the red kangaroo exhibit.

37K views · 3K reactions | New at Shalom a trio of Bennett's wallabies. Videoed this afternoon hanging out with Louie the red kangaroo is Wally the wallaby. We received Wally and... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On April 12th, the zoo announced they built a new exhibit for their (1.1) American black bears Buster and Molly which is open to the public.

32K views · 2.6K reactions | Black bears Molly and Buster were moved into their new wild habitat late yesterday afternoon. DNR Game Wardens Zack and Steve gave us the thumbs up on... | By Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary | Facebook

On May 1st, the zoo announced that a (0.1) plains zebra named Sneezy was born which is on exhibit.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On May 13th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) American (white) bison named Spunky was born which is now on exhibit.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary

On June 1st, the zoo announced that a (1.0) white-tailed (tan) deer was born, with a (0.1) white-tailed (pied) deer born a day later.

Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary
Man I need to get back to this place.
 
went there this weekend and do have a few notes.
  • the tigers cubs are doing well, still with mom and mom is still with them
  • a baby lemur was known, which took me by complete surprise but also that by the size of the lemur (not even the size of the palm of my hand) i might estimate that it was born only a few weeks or even days
  • the black bears have been moved to the area where the mouflon sheep used to be across from the fallow deer, with more space and an open top enclosure
  • a black leopard is supposed to occupy the former black bear exhibit, with it being shown on the map but I was there in may and both times it was closed off and there were no signs of a black leopard was there or still getting used to it
  • fun to visits EXCEPT one thing made me angry....
  • one thing that I loved about this zoo was that you were able to purchase a bucket of feed and feed the assorted deer, and hoofed species across the park, now for some reason, they only allow people to purchase a bucket of feed for the Petting zoo!!! while it could have been because of new regulation policies or what not, I strongly predict that people were abusing this opportunity, being assholes, causing everyone to be effected
  • also in the playground area was a new metal thing with assorted metal playthings including a ringing bell, WHICH YOU COULD HERE ACROSS THE ENTIRE PARK
 
This dispute is still ongoing and receiving a lot of media coverage, although I haven't seen any indication something concrete has changed.

Interestingly while I initially viewed this as probably an anti-zoo group, after looking into it, one of the individuals involved is a member of the zoo world. Bruce Beehler is described in a town meeting minutes as "[former] Deputy Director of the Milwaukee County Zoo, he has inspected many zoos throughout the world, and he has advised the [Shalom owners] Fechter’s on their exhibits. His main concern is the security of the Zoo. [There is also] complaining of dust from the road in the zoo. [His wife] is against venues because noise travels over the water. Concerned with lack of information and chance to obtain legal counsel." He worked at Milwaukee from sometime prior to 1984 as a veterinarian to as late as 2012 as deputy director, from a quick google search. I am more interested though in the indication he formerly advised the owners of Shalom Zoo, which suggests this is not a direct negative action against either zoos in general or a private facility for being private, but potentially something more nuanced and complicated.
 
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