City: Des Moines
Country: USA
State: Iowa
Opend 8th May 1969
Species 104
This zoo is the State-capital-zoo of Iowa is a small zoo showing the national animal, the bald eagle. It also has an ok collection of cats and herbivores
Last visited 2009
Blank Park Zoo
7401 SW 9th Street
Des Moines
IA 50315
USA
Phone number: 515-285-4722
Open minimum 10 AM - 4 PM
Admission
Membership
There are several feedings each day, ask at the entrance. Kids will love to ride on Camels.
In 1963, Mr. A.H. Blank donated 150,000 USD for the construction of a children's zoo on decommissioned Fort Des Moines property. Opend 1966 it was originally designed around nursery rhymes and included a castle with moat, a replica of Noah's Ark, petting zoo and miniature railroad. Over the next 16 years the city failed to make improvments to the zoo and was on the verge of closing until in 1981 a group of civic minded business leaders formes the Blan Park Zoo Foundation to help save the zoo. The Foundations number one goal was to provide financial support for capital improvments, animal acquisitions and promotional and marketing activities. The Foundation succeeded by forming a partnership with the City of Des Moines that resulted in a 1.8 million USD bond referendum, as well as an additional 1.4 million USD from the community. Finally at the end of 1982 the zoo closed for some much needed renovations. On May 17, 1986 the new improved Blank Park Zoo reopend, and officially became an AZA accredited zoo. The renovated Zoo had a new mission of conservation, education and recreation, and featured gegraphic themed exhibits with spacious, naturally landscaped enviroments. in 1995 the Blank Park Zoo Foundation purchased 25.3 acres (aprox 10 HA) additional of historic Fort Des Moines property and 9 historic buildings for future growth and expansion of the Zoo. It also began a capital campaign to build a new great cats exhibit and a indoor Discovery Center exhibit. On May 1, 1999 the Tom and Jo Ghrist Great Cats exhibit opened and on September 1, 2001, the Blank Park Zoo opened the Myron & Jackie Blank Discovery Center. On July 1, 2003 the Blank Park Zoo Foundation officially accepted all responsibility of the management and operations of the zoo from the City of Des Moines. Du to success the foundation signs a 20 years management at of the zoo in 2005. In 2010 Budgie Bogin opens, here you can feed parakeets. Following year David Kruidenier Australia Adventure opens. The sea lion pool is reconstructed in the years 2011-12. In 2013 Jamaa Kwa Africa opens, a large african savannah with black rhinos, eland, ostriches etc. The Bactrian camels move to the entrance in 2014.
Before entering on the other side of the parking lot we have the Bactrian camels and sarus cranes. Passing the entrance we enter the Discovery Centre following the road frome the alpine area to the open sea to meet creatures like the Red Panda, Gouldian Finches, Boa Constrictors, a living Coral Reef and some Jelly fish. Outside we first the Flamingos and on the other side we have Northamerican Otters, some Lemurs and Tortoises. Then we are going on the Australian Trails with Emu's, Wallabies and different Australian birds. Then we look at the Kids Kingdom with several animals to pet, like th Alpaca and camels to ride. Across the road we the se the native Prairie Dogs, but also the Californian Sea Lions and the Penguins. Then we reached the Great Cats wit Lions, Snow leopards nd Amur Tigers, but also the funny Gibbons are in this area. Next door there are some aviarys and through the Safari Grill we finde the African Savannah area with Servals, Girafs and Zebras. Turning right we go towards the exit, but first take a look at the Japanese Macaques. Here we turn right to meet black rhinos, ostriches and elands. Back to the macaques turning right we meet the national bird of the USA, the Bald eagle
DE: Dieser kleine ist der gröste Zoo von Iowa und zeigt meist gewöhnliche tiere wie Kleine Pandas, Amur Tiger, Giraffen und den Nationalvogel der USA, den Weisskopf Seeadler
DK: Denne hyggelige lille have er Iowas største med de sædvanlige zoodyr som den lille panda, amur tigeren, giraffer og USAs nationalfugl, den hvidhovedet havørn.
