Lake Superior Zoo & Zoological Society
Encounter fascinating animals from around the world at the Lake Superior Zoo! Situated in West Duluth's Fairmont Park, the zoo sits on over 16 acres of picturesque landscape at the base of Spirit Mountain. With rocky hillsides, majestic pines and beautiful Kingsbury Creek, the natural scenery makes an ideal setting for this attraction. The Lake Superior Zoo was started in 1923 by Bert Onsgard, with support from the city of Duluth and the community. The first resident of the zoo was a white-tailed deer named Billy. By the late-1920s, the zoo's collection had grown to over 220 mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Today this cultural resource is home to hundreds of native animals and exotic species. African lions, Gray wolves, Amur tiger, Snow leopard, Cougar, Grizzly bear, Kodiak bear, and a wide variety of hoof stock are among the larger animals you will see at our zoo. The main building, built in 1927, features the Tiger's Paw Gift Shop, Safari Café, tiger viewing deck, a two-story Reeve's muntjac and Asian pheasant exhibit, and our Griggs Learning Center that is home to outreach animals for educational programs.
Every day is a new adventure at the Lake Superior Zoo. Animal feedings, trainings and enrichment activities are part of our daily schedule. Children love to interact with our barnyard friends, especially the llama, sheep and goats. Don't miss the Primate Conservation Center where the Angolan colobus monkeys, cotton-topped tamarins, callimico monkeys and other endangered primates make their home. A Nocturnal Wing within the Primate Center houses a two-toed sloth, South American porcupines, pallas' cats, kinkajou, a variety of bats and more!
Other stops include our Northern Territory to see Trouble the Alaskan Grizzly bear and Max the Cougar. Then continue along Kingsbury Creek to see the nearly-extinct Pere David's Deer and African lion den. Follow the path up the hill to the Australia Building where you'll find kangaroos, kookaburras, a black swan, and a salt-water aquarium filled with a vibrant selection of barrier-reef fish.
While visiting our zoo, pay close attention to the endangered and threatened animals that we care for. Snow leopards, swamp monkeys, white-naped cranes, a bald eagle, and many others reside here.
The Tiger's Paw Gift Shop is open daily year round. The Safari Café is open daily during the summer months.
History
The history of the zoo begins in 1923 when a West Duluth businessman, Bert Onsgard, received permission from the City to construct a pen for his pet deer named Billy.
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Mission
The Lake Superior Zoo's mission is to provide close-up animal experiences which inspire connections to wildlife and action towards conservation in our region and around the world. Read more...
Board
The Arrowhead Zoological Society, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that operates under the name Lake Superior Zoological Society. The Society is made up of people who subscribe to the organization by way of an annual membership. The Society is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Day-to-day operations, such as animal management, veterinary services, administration, marketing, membership, education and guest services, are executed by dedicated staff, who are supervised by management level staff, who report to the Chief Executive Officer
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