I visited ZooMontana on “Black Friday.” The good news is that gave me something to do while waiting for the zoo to open as the local Cabela’s Store had opened at 0700 hours. I spent a an hour or so cataloguing the natural history displays in the store. I’m running a separate spreadsheet for Sporting Stores and it’s probably to nobody’s surprise that Whitetail Deer and Elk are the most common most mammals displayed.
I arrived at the zoo just as it opened on a nice brisk blue-sky morning. The zoo is somewhat located in creek bottom with many tall trees that along with the topography offer some shelter from the elements. In particular the winds of the Montana prairie. I noticed that Billings itself is located in a wide valley between a mountainous ridge in the Bighorn foothills to the south and a wider plateau to the north.
The zoo had a couple small playgrounds for children and a wide grassy “parade ground” upon which Yurts had been raised. I am not sure if they are for overnight stays or are intended as warm up tents for the Holiday Lights. The Zoo had several structures erected or being completed. Past this parade ground the zoo has a sensory garden nested in a wooded area. It’s a rather large space and it looks as if it would be a wonderful place to sit to enjoy the growth and the shade and a light breeze on a summer day.
The zoo has a banyard exhibit. And an old farmhouse. A Koi pond is nearby. Alpacas, Chickens, Rabbits, Goats, and Donkeys can be found here along with two Peacocks. I was surprised there were Cattle or Horses (this is Montana) or no Turkeys, Ducks, or Geese.
Just around the corner, with a view from the farmyard is a American Bison exhibit holding two male Bison. The Bison exhibit is nice and mimics the prairie pretty well. From the Bison it’s a slight downhill grade past Grey Wolf and Wolverine exhibits to the zoo’s Asian trail.
The Wolves and Wolverines would be perfectly at home in the Asia area…and so would the Brown Bear and Golden Eagle still to come, but those animals are part of the native Montana collection showcased in the Rocky Mountain Adventure area.
The Asia Trail is specifically home to a pair each of Amur Tigers, Sichuan Takin, and Red Pandas. The Red Panda exhibit is one of the better ones I saw during my trip. The Amur Tiger exhibit is more on par with the Amur Tiger exhibit at Henry Doorly Zoo. A largely open space with some “cliff space” for the cats to rest. Henry Doorly is more creative with their use. So I would place ZooMontana on par with Brookfield Zoo and Pittsburgh Zoo…with the note that the later offer unobstructed (by fence or window) of the cats. Minnesota Zoo, Alaska Zoo, and Calgary Zoo (although not necessarily for viewing quality) are still above Montana’s exhibit. The Takin exhibit is nicely functional with the animals being displayed in a nice wooded, rolling yard. Compared with the Henry Doorly Zoo’s Takin exhibit…you could imagine that ZooMontana represents maybe a winter habitat for the animals…while Henry Doorly’s open space represents a high summer habitat.
From there the next two exhibit complexes are the aforementioned Rocky Mountain Adventure (Lynx, Porcupine, and Birds of Prey) and the America’s Waterways exhibit (American Badger, River Otter, and…under renovation a native Waterfowl exhibit). The Lynx are held in a typical Lynx exhibit…look to Pittsburgh or Alaska Zoo for something a little above the mark…Montana’s is right square in the middle. The Porcupines, Badger and River Otters are each held in larger exhibit than you might expect. It seemed to be a bit of trend to see midsized mammals and birds houses in enclosure that I am sure were designed (although a little small) for larger animals.
The River Otter exhibit was large, but the animal’s pond was drained and frozen. The Otter was hold up in small shelter. I only saw the one otter. The highlight of these exhibit space is the Brown Bear exhibit. A very large open space with a beautiful viewing area. I liked that the bear was exhibited in an enclosure representing the treeless highland steppe that seemed to be half of Montana. Brown Bears in North America were once common on the prairies.
The waterfowl exhibit looks like it will be very very nice.
There is a Bald Eagle exhibit, which is nice, as we head toward the exit. Both of the animals on display got their start in Alaska and each spent time at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage. As I noted on the picture I posted, my wife volunteered there as a teenager and may have been involved in the rehabilitation of these particular birds.
As you exit there is a small room exhibiting reptiles (mostly pet surrenders) and Chinchillas and a Two-toed Sloth. From there the gift shop.
Surprises:
- No Montana Big Game Species. At a minimum I would expect Elk or Bighorn Sheep.
- No Red Fox
- No Cougar
- No Prairie Dogs (biggest surprise of all).
Best Exhibits:
- Farm Yard
- Amur Tiger
- Red Panda
Outside of the small animal room there were really no bad exhibits. I would bet that even the “ugly” ones look better when summer’s growth arrives.
Worst Exhibit:
- Grey Wolves. Not terrible, but not optimal for viewing the animals.
Pet Peeve:
Fairly disappointing predator/prey balance. At the species level (natural balance) we had the Takin for the Tiger and the Takin and Bison for the Wolves. Proxy the domestic animals for their wild ancestors and we have the African Wild Ass, the Vicuña, the Bezoar Ibex, the European Rabbit, the Chinchilla, and the Montane Guinea Pig. Not too bad. The Rabbit, the Chinchilla, and the Montane Guinea Pig are appropriate (if not natural) for the Canada Lynx, Wolverine, and the Golden Eagle. Wild Asses and Bezoar Ibex deal with Wolves. The Vicunia was also hunted by now extinct wolf-like Canids.
So we could see a land of rolling steppe and wooded river valley, with Rocky uplands to the south and the ridge of the plateau to the north. Takin would spend the summer high on the slopes and the winters further down in the wooded areas. Tigers would be a prominent winter predator and Wolves in the summer. Herds of Bison, Asses, and Vicuña would roam the prairies with Wolves preying on each and less often the Tiger would also be a threat.
The Brown Bear would hunt Chinchillas and Montane Guinea Pigs.
Bison calves and Takin would be targets of opportunity. Following my visit to the zoo that same day I saw Whitetail and Mule Deer, Pronghorns, and domestic Aurochs, Horses, and Bison. Add those animals to the collection and the viability of the ecosystem (as I pertains to megafuana ans scavengers) improves.
I know that not everyone visits the zoo with that “fantasy” world building being their focus…but the illusion of discovery still thrills me when I visit.
Overall ZooMontana is a pleasant all season zoo, which were I in Billings would visit many times throughout the year. Especially during summer and early autumn.
One Last Suggestion were I the King of this Zoo.
Add Sika Deer. Easy to acquire and apparently easy to maintain. Tie them in as a prey species to the Tiger. Acquire Elk. It’s Montana! Add Ring-necked Pheasants (I saw several roadside coveys through the day) and Wild Turkeys. Lastly, add Prairie Dogs…maybe even Burrowing Owls, Black-footed Ferrets, Sage Grouse, and Kit Foxes.
All errors in spelling, science, ecology, or math are my own.
Species list to follow…..
I arrived at the zoo just as it opened on a nice brisk blue-sky morning. The zoo is somewhat located in creek bottom with many tall trees that along with the topography offer some shelter from the elements. In particular the winds of the Montana prairie. I noticed that Billings itself is located in a wide valley between a mountainous ridge in the Bighorn foothills to the south and a wider plateau to the north.
The zoo had a couple small playgrounds for children and a wide grassy “parade ground” upon which Yurts had been raised. I am not sure if they are for overnight stays or are intended as warm up tents for the Holiday Lights. The Zoo had several structures erected or being completed. Past this parade ground the zoo has a sensory garden nested in a wooded area. It’s a rather large space and it looks as if it would be a wonderful place to sit to enjoy the growth and the shade and a light breeze on a summer day.
The zoo has a banyard exhibit. And an old farmhouse. A Koi pond is nearby. Alpacas, Chickens, Rabbits, Goats, and Donkeys can be found here along with two Peacocks. I was surprised there were Cattle or Horses (this is Montana) or no Turkeys, Ducks, or Geese.
Just around the corner, with a view from the farmyard is a American Bison exhibit holding two male Bison. The Bison exhibit is nice and mimics the prairie pretty well. From the Bison it’s a slight downhill grade past Grey Wolf and Wolverine exhibits to the zoo’s Asian trail.
The Wolves and Wolverines would be perfectly at home in the Asia area…and so would the Brown Bear and Golden Eagle still to come, but those animals are part of the native Montana collection showcased in the Rocky Mountain Adventure area.
The Asia Trail is specifically home to a pair each of Amur Tigers, Sichuan Takin, and Red Pandas. The Red Panda exhibit is one of the better ones I saw during my trip. The Amur Tiger exhibit is more on par with the Amur Tiger exhibit at Henry Doorly Zoo. A largely open space with some “cliff space” for the cats to rest. Henry Doorly is more creative with their use. So I would place ZooMontana on par with Brookfield Zoo and Pittsburgh Zoo…with the note that the later offer unobstructed (by fence or window) of the cats. Minnesota Zoo, Alaska Zoo, and Calgary Zoo (although not necessarily for viewing quality) are still above Montana’s exhibit. The Takin exhibit is nicely functional with the animals being displayed in a nice wooded, rolling yard. Compared with the Henry Doorly Zoo’s Takin exhibit…you could imagine that ZooMontana represents maybe a winter habitat for the animals…while Henry Doorly’s open space represents a high summer habitat.
From there the next two exhibit complexes are the aforementioned Rocky Mountain Adventure (Lynx, Porcupine, and Birds of Prey) and the America’s Waterways exhibit (American Badger, River Otter, and…under renovation a native Waterfowl exhibit). The Lynx are held in a typical Lynx exhibit…look to Pittsburgh or Alaska Zoo for something a little above the mark…Montana’s is right square in the middle. The Porcupines, Badger and River Otters are each held in larger exhibit than you might expect. It seemed to be a bit of trend to see midsized mammals and birds houses in enclosure that I am sure were designed (although a little small) for larger animals.
The River Otter exhibit was large, but the animal’s pond was drained and frozen. The Otter was hold up in small shelter. I only saw the one otter. The highlight of these exhibit space is the Brown Bear exhibit. A very large open space with a beautiful viewing area. I liked that the bear was exhibited in an enclosure representing the treeless highland steppe that seemed to be half of Montana. Brown Bears in North America were once common on the prairies.
The waterfowl exhibit looks like it will be very very nice.
There is a Bald Eagle exhibit, which is nice, as we head toward the exit. Both of the animals on display got their start in Alaska and each spent time at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage. As I noted on the picture I posted, my wife volunteered there as a teenager and may have been involved in the rehabilitation of these particular birds.
As you exit there is a small room exhibiting reptiles (mostly pet surrenders) and Chinchillas and a Two-toed Sloth. From there the gift shop.
Surprises:
- No Montana Big Game Species. At a minimum I would expect Elk or Bighorn Sheep.
- No Red Fox
- No Cougar
- No Prairie Dogs (biggest surprise of all).
Best Exhibits:
- Farm Yard
- Amur Tiger
- Red Panda
Outside of the small animal room there were really no bad exhibits. I would bet that even the “ugly” ones look better when summer’s growth arrives.
Worst Exhibit:
- Grey Wolves. Not terrible, but not optimal for viewing the animals.
Pet Peeve:
Fairly disappointing predator/prey balance. At the species level (natural balance) we had the Takin for the Tiger and the Takin and Bison for the Wolves. Proxy the domestic animals for their wild ancestors and we have the African Wild Ass, the Vicuña, the Bezoar Ibex, the European Rabbit, the Chinchilla, and the Montane Guinea Pig. Not too bad. The Rabbit, the Chinchilla, and the Montane Guinea Pig are appropriate (if not natural) for the Canada Lynx, Wolverine, and the Golden Eagle. Wild Asses and Bezoar Ibex deal with Wolves. The Vicunia was also hunted by now extinct wolf-like Canids.
So we could see a land of rolling steppe and wooded river valley, with Rocky uplands to the south and the ridge of the plateau to the north. Takin would spend the summer high on the slopes and the winters further down in the wooded areas. Tigers would be a prominent winter predator and Wolves in the summer. Herds of Bison, Asses, and Vicuña would roam the prairies with Wolves preying on each and less often the Tiger would also be a threat.
The Brown Bear would hunt Chinchillas and Montane Guinea Pigs.
Bison calves and Takin would be targets of opportunity. Following my visit to the zoo that same day I saw Whitetail and Mule Deer, Pronghorns, and domestic Aurochs, Horses, and Bison. Add those animals to the collection and the viability of the ecosystem (as I pertains to megafuana ans scavengers) improves.
I know that not everyone visits the zoo with that “fantasy” world building being their focus…but the illusion of discovery still thrills me when I visit.
Overall ZooMontana is a pleasant all season zoo, which were I in Billings would visit many times throughout the year. Especially during summer and early autumn.
One Last Suggestion were I the King of this Zoo.
Add Sika Deer. Easy to acquire and apparently easy to maintain. Tie them in as a prey species to the Tiger. Acquire Elk. It’s Montana! Add Ring-necked Pheasants (I saw several roadside coveys through the day) and Wild Turkeys. Lastly, add Prairie Dogs…maybe even Burrowing Owls, Black-footed Ferrets, Sage Grouse, and Kit Foxes.
All errors in spelling, science, ecology, or math are my own.
Species list to follow…..
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