I've already compiled a list of 27 zoos for the state of Wisconsin (interestingly enough the exact same total as neighbouring Michigan) and I was wondering if I'm missing any. Wisconsin seems to be a perfect candidate for a future aquarium as the only aquatic facility is a small section of a science and technology center in Milwaukee called Discovery World. Do I hear a Sea Life franchise calling? 27 Wisconsin Zoos: Alligator Alley (Wisconsin Dells)* Animal Haven Zoo (Weyauwega) Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary (Green Bay) Bear Den Zoo (Waterford) Bruemmer Park Zoo (Kewaunee) Discovery World: Reiman Aquarium (Milwaukee) Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison)* International Crane Foundation (Baraboo)* Irvine Park & Zoo (Chippewa Falls)* Jo-Don Farms (Franksville) Lincoln Park Zoo (Manitowoc)* Menominee Park Zoo (Oshkosh) Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee)* Milwaukee Public Museum (Milwaukee) NEW (Northeastern Wisconsin) Zoo (Green Bay)* Ochsner Park Zoo (Baraboo)* Racine Zoo (Racine)* Shalom Wildlife Zoo (West Bend) Special Memories Zoo (Greenville) Timbavati Wildlife Park (Wisconsin Dells)* Valley of the Kings Sanctuary & Retreat (Sharon) Wilderness Walk Zoo (Hayward) Wildwood Wildlife Park (Minocqua)* Wildwood Zoo (Marshfield) Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue (Rock Springs) Wisconsin Deer Park (Wisconsin Dells)* Wisconsin Rapids Zoo (Wisconsin Rapids) * I've visited these 12 zoos
There is actually one aquarium in the state. It's called Beaver Springs Public Aquarium and it's located in Wisconsin Dells. Here's their website: Beaver Springs Fishing Park Horseback Riding Stable Public Aquarium - Beaver Springs 80,000 Gallon Indoor Outdoor Public Aquarium Wisconsin Dells
Anello's Torch Lite Petting Farm (Shawano) Animal Gardens Petting Zoo (Delavan) Doc's Zoo (Bonduel) Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Educational Park (St. Croix Falls) Glacier Ridge Animal Farm (Van Dyne) MacKenzie Center (Poynette)
Thanks for the additions and while some of them barely qualify as "zoos", I suppose that I could add 7 more to the list to give Wisconsin a total of 34 zoos. On a side note, respected zoo enthusiast Tim Brown (who has now visited approximately 760 different zoos/aquariums in his lifetime) once told me that Beaver State Aquarium is "quite possibly the worst zoological facility I've ever seen". To show that he is not alone, check out the awful TripAdvisor reviews for the place on this link: Beaver Creek Springs Aquarium (Wisconsin Dells) - All You Need to Know Before You Go - TripAdvisor
Here is an updated list of 33 Wisconsin Zoos (including 2 aquariums): Alligator Alley (Wisconsin Dells) Animal Gardens Petting Zoo (Delavan) Animal Haven Zoo (Weyauwega) Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary (Green Bay) Bear Den Zoo (Waterford) Beaver Springs Park Aquarium (Wisconsin Dells) Bruemmer Park Zoo (Kewaunee) Discovery World: Reiman Aquarium (Milwaukee) Doc’s Zoo (Bonduel) Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Educational Park (St. Croix Falls) Glacier Ridge Animal Farm (Van Dyne) Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison)* International Crane Foundation (Baraboo)* Irvine Park & Zoo (Chippewa Falls) Jo-Don Farms (Franksville) Lincoln Park Zoo (Manitowoc) MacKenzie Center (Poynette) Menominee Park Zoo (Oshkosh) Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee)* Milwaukee Public Museum (Milwaukee) NEW (Northeastern Wisconsin) Zoo (Green Bay)* Ochsner Park Zoo (Baraboo) Racine Zoo (Racine)* Shalom Wildlife Zoo (West Bend) Special Memories Zoo (Greenville) Timbavati Wildlife Park (Wisconsin Dells) Valley of the Kings Sanctuary & Retreat (Sharon) Wilderness Walk Zoo (Hayward) Wildwood Wildlife Park (Minocqua) Wildwood Zoo (Marshfield) Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue (Rock Springs) Wisconsin Deer Park (Wisconsin Dells) Wisconsin Rapids Zoo (Wisconsin Rapids) - The only suggestion that I did not include is Anello's Torch Lite Petting Farm. Aside from the domesticated camel, llamas, alpacas and handful of barnyard animals it seems that the facility has a single kangaroo, a zebra, a tortoise (called a turtle on the website) and a skunk. Does that make it an actual "zoo"?
I would definitely not count the Plamann Park facility as it is only domestic animals, but I suppose that the Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin could be considered a 'zoo' as there is a small walk-through area with butterflies. Thanks for the update!
Time for an updated list as this summer I have my latest 'Snowleopard Road Trip' coming up in July and by the time it is over I hope to have visited at least 28 of the 33 zoos in the state of Wisconsin in my lifetime. Here are 33 Wisconsin establishments that I would personally count as proper zoos or aquariums: **Alligator Alley (Wisconsin Dells) Animal Gardens Petting Zoo (Delavan) Animal Haven Zoo (Weyauwega) Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary (Green Bay) Bear Den Zoo (Waterford) Beaver Springs Park Aquarium (Wisconsin Dells) Bruemmer Park Zoo (Kewaunee) Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin (Appleton) Discovery World: Reiman Aquarium (Milwaukee) Doc’s Zoo (Bonduel) Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Educational Park (St. Croix Falls) Glacier Ridge Animal Farm (Van Dyne) **Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison)++ **International Crane Foundation (Baraboo)++ **Irvine Park & Zoo (Chippewa Falls) Jo-Don Farms (Franksville) **Lincoln Park Zoo (Manitowoc) MacKenzie Center (Poynette) Menominee Park Zoo (Oshkosh) **Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee)++ Milwaukee Public Museum (Milwaukee) **NEW (Northeastern Wisconsin) Zoo (Green Bay)++ **Ochsner Park Zoo (Baraboo) **Racine Zoo (Racine)++ Shalom Wildlife Zoo (West Bend) Special Memories Zoo (Greenville) **Timbavati Wildlife Park (Wisconsin Dells) Wilderness Walk Zoo (Hayward) **Wildwood Wildlife Park (Minocqua) Wildwood Zoo (Marshfield) Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue (Rock Springs) **Wisconsin Deer Park (Wisconsin Dells) Wisconsin Rapids Zoo (Wisconsin Rapids) ** I've visited these 12 facilities already (and I don't plan to revisit any in July) ++ AZA accredited Aquariums are in bold
Here's one more: Stevens Point Herpetological Society (Stevens Point) What facilities are you visiting on this road trip?
I've marked the 12 that I've already visited and I have plans to tour 16 more facilities in the state of Wisconsin. It will be easier for me to type out the 5 zoos out of 33 that I'll still not have seen after the trip is over: Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin, Discovery World: Reiman Aquarium, Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Educational Park, MacKenzie Center and Milwaukee Public Museum. After this latest road trip I hope to have toured 50 out of the 57 zoos between Michigan and Wisconsin. Another couple of states will be just about complete!
Cool! I have visited most on "to visit" list, then! Just one tip for visiting Special Memories Zoo: RIDE THE TRAIN NO MATTER WHAT!!!!! The zoo's best exhibits are only visible on the train.
Review coming soon. A full species list, however, will not be included, for reasons that will become clear once the review is posted.
