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Belle Isle Zoo

Discussion in 'United States' started by kbaker116, 11 Nov 2009.

  1. kbaker116

    kbaker116 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2 Apr 2009
    Posts:
    359
    Location:
    Michigan, United States
    The Belle Isle Zoo has been closed for awhile now. I never was able to go their but I would be interested to hear what they had their. Toward the final years I believe they had

    Sumatran Tiger
    African Lion
    Maned Wolf
    Spectacled Bear
    Large Spider Collection
    Guanaco
    Red Kangaroo
    Fallow Deer

    Those are the animals I am sure of. I drove by it a few years ago and saw a herd of fallow deer in an enclosure by the road. Do they still have other animals or is everything else gone? Is the land up for sale or privately owned? If you have any information on the Bell Isle Zoo or its residents please post!!!
     
  2. Meaghan Edwards

    Meaghan Edwards Well-Known Member

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    20 Mar 2008
    Posts:
    1,294
    Location:
    Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  3. kbaker116

    kbaker116 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2 Apr 2009
    Posts:
    359
    Location:
    Michigan, United States
    Thanks for finding these. The blog about it was very interesting. I can't believe it was closed in 2002. With the Detroit Zoo doing so well, if the zoo were to open back up would it compete with Detroit Zoo or just benefit from economic times as Detroit has. I dream of opening it up myself. I wonder whether it is just vacant land of Detroit or someone actually owns it. I can't imagine the city council has just forgot about it. I also wonder what things would need rebuilding and what fences, boardwalks, etc. that could still be in use. Would Detroit sell the land? and how much? Is there additional land around the zoo available for purchase. It frustrates me how either a private owner or the city of Detroit could just let this place rot?