Our company has very agricultural beginnings. It was started as diversification to an existing beef cattle and row crop farm in rural Minnesota and made good use of existing facilities and natural areas of the farm. Our founder is a former University of Minnesota professor of agriculture production systems and spent much of his tenure developing custom housing and nutrition plans, troubleshooting agronomy and livestock production challenges and teaching beginning farmer and environment safety courses.
Our AnimalsThe animals that live here are cared for year round. They are purchased from other zoos and regulated sources. We really emphasize keeping animals in groups and community pens but do very little breeding. We don't consider ourselves "animal trainers" in the sense that we don't teach tricks or give rides. We just work towards getting each of our animals to a level of comfort with general health checks and daily care.
|
Our FacilitiesHousing is of special interest to our work. Learning about how animals live in the wild and exploring ways to have the best natural light, comfortable bedding, enrichment, sanitation, space, ventilation, humidity and temperature in captivity makes us better at recreating a comfortable space for the animals when they are on display. Sometimes the shape of a fence and the orientation towards the sun, wind or slope can solve major housing obstacles for exotic species. Comfort and health is very important. This is not an open facility. It is only open to staff, veterinarians and compliance inspectors.
|