Celebrating National Zoo Keeper Week with Great Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers and Zoos to Visit on Sumer Vacation

Summer Vacation is all about having fun, and what could be more entertaining than celebrating National Zookeeper week at some of the most amazing Zoos in the area! We’re taking a look at the best zoos in Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri that are worth visiting while taking a little family getaway. We’ve also rounded up some additional picks in each state as well as closer zoos in Illinois and Wisconsin, and highlighted what great brand initiatives our vehicle makers have implemented. Check it out on today’s blog!

Exploring Great Zoos Worthy of A Little Family Road Trip

INDIANA

• Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis is an accredited 64-acre non-profit zoo with an on site public aquarium and botanical garden nestled along the riverbanks of White River State Park. It’s home to more than 1400 animals, and the facilities are also home to the Global Center for Species Survival dedicated to conservation efforts.
• Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville was Indiana’s very first zoo, and is now an accredited 50-acre zoo and botanical garden complex with 700 different animals from across the globe! In addition to its permanent residents, the museum also holds special events, presentations, workshops, and special guests.
• Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in Albion is an 18-acre permanent refuge and rescue for exotic animals who have retired from performances, public entertainment, or even captive-bred “domesticated pets.” It’s considered a Professional Animal Retirement Center; it’s also the only accredited Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries organization in the state of Indiana and the Midwest which is home to multiple animal species. The venue is open to the public and aims to educate visitors on being responsible animal caretakers and how best to support conservation efforts and animal welfare. Other notable zoo and wildlife facilities in Indiana include: Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, Fort wayne Children’s Zoo in Fort Wayne, and the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend

IOWA

• Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines is a 49-acre zoological facility in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and is the only accredited zoo in Iowa. With more than 100 animals on site, the venue is dedicated to furthering the education of the public in regards to species preservation, environmental conservation, and scientific research in Biology and Zoology. Families will love visiting the baby animal exhibits and hands-on feedings. There are also numerous special events throughout the year such as Zoo Brew running June through August, the Safari Soiree 2022, and special Members only events.
• National Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center, Museum, and Aquarium in Dubuque is a unique facility with a focus on preservation, conservation, education, and research centering on Mississippi River wildlife and environment. It’s part aquarium, part museum, part science center and 100% fascinating! You’ll find an 8,000 gallon aquarium dedicated to local fish, plants, and aquatic species. It also hosts an ever changing collection of exhibits and lecture series intended to inspire visitors and youth to explore stewardship and scientific research!

MISSOURI

• St Louis Zoo in St. Louis offers free admission and access to its whopping 89 acre property where it houses its accredited facilities in animal management, conservation, and a research and education center. The St Louis Zoo boasts a collection of over 14,000 animals from 500 different species at any given time. It’s one of the country’s top facilities with realistic and natural looking displays and habitats, and known for its innovative strategies for animal care and wildlife conservation.
• Sophia M Sachs Butterfly House inside the Missouri Botanical Garden in Chesterfield is an unconventional wildlife center and research center accredited with the Association for Zoos and Aquariums. Instead of focusing on reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and aquatic pals, this is an 8,000sq foot glass conservatory containing beautiful species and varieties of butterflies and insects.
• The Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center and rescue that focuses on preserving and reintroducing endangered wolves, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Their mission is to provide the general public with an up-close-and-personal experience to educate and raise awareness for conservation efforts. The goal is to provide safe shelter and care for injured and sick wolves with an end goal of returning them to the wild whenever possible.

Other notable zoo and wildlife in facilities in Missouri include: Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Kansas City Zoo in Kansas City, Grants Farm in St. Louis, Kansas City Zoo in Kansas City, Branson’s Promised Land Zoo in Branson

Planning a Trip with a little less mileage? We’ve got you covered. Check out these lists of Zoos in Illinois and Wisconsin:

ILLINOIS

• Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield
• Peoria Zoo in Peoria
• Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield
• Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago
• Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora
• Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington
• Scoville Zoo in Decatur
• Cosley Zoo in Wheaton
• The Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley

WISCONSIN

• Racine Zoo in Racine
• Irvine Park Zoo in Chippewa Falls
• Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee
• Menominee Park Zoo in Oshkosh
• NEW Zoo and Adventure Park in Suamico

Here at Classic Auto Group we’re pleased to know that the brands we sell are equally committed to preserving biodiversity and environmental conservation. And we’re doing our part to ensure that our dealerships can reduce our carbon footprint over time, and lead the way to a greener tomorrow.

TOYOTA And Conservation efforts, and WHC BIODIVERSITY partnerships.

KIA’s Endangered Turtles Campaign and Kia’s Wildlife Trust partnerships.

General Info on Wildlife Conservation Efforts

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