Manitowoc Zoo offers fun for all ages
The Lincoln Park Zoo first opened in 1937 as part of a WPA project
MANITOWOC — The Lincoln Park Zoo is the perfect place for a quiet family outing.
Manitowoc is known as being Wisconsin’s port for the S.S. Badger and is home to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and West of the Lake Gardens. But it is also home to the Lincoln Park Zoo which spans 20-acres. Visitors can discover the habits of the animals they are viewing and learn about conservation efforts to help their wild counterparts.
The Zoo sees approximately 55,000 visitors annually according to Curtis Hall, Manitowoc's Parks and Recreation Division Manager. Over the last three years, it has acquired new coyotes, porcupine, prairie dogs, alpacas and made improvements to a number of exhibits throughout the grounds.
A Black-tailed prairie dog offers a warm welcome to visitors right at the entrance. The prairie dog exhibit is dedicated to Robert Ficke Jr. It was donated by his children and grandchildren. Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of animals on display, including an African spurred tortoise, a bald eagle, red-tailed hawks, coyotes, a North American porcupine, White Chinese geese, Nubian goats, and a Tundra swan.
Scattered throughout the grounds are stones imprinted with various animal tracks—a playful feature designed to engage and delight younger visitors. There a lion bubbler, a petting zoo and a playground. Overall, the Zoo is a charming family-friendly destination between Milwaukee and Green Bay.
One long-time guest at the Zoo was Honey, a female Asiatic black bear. According to Zoo staff, she experienced health complications in May and was humanely euthanized. She arrived in Manitowoc in September 2002. She had turned 25-years-old before passing away. A female Asiatic black bear can live up to 30 years in captivity or 25 years in the wild. According to Hall, he is working hard to locate a bear that could potentially fill the exhibit space.
There is an informational video about Coho Salmon at the Fish Rearing Facility.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is owned by the City of Manitowoc and operated by the Parks and Recreation Division. It opened in 1937 and prides itself on quality, natural looking exhibits for its animals and creating an educational experience for its visitors. While the Zoo is free, a $2 per adult and $1 per child donation is suggested. All donations are used for maintenance and improvements.
For more information, visit manitowoc.org/zoo.
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