Hutchinson Zoo
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| Hutchinson Zoo | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Hutchinson Zoo | |
| 38°01′45″N 97°55′00″W / 38.029108°N 97.916712°W | |
| Date opened | 1986[1] |
| Location | Hutchinson, Kansas |
| Land area | 9 acres (3.6 ha) [1] |
| No. of animals | 160 [1] |
| Memberships | AZA[2] |
| Public transit access |  Rcat |
| Website | hutchinsonzoo.org |
The Hutchinson Zoo is a small 9-acre (3.6 ha) zoo located in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States. The Hutchinson Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1997.[2]
Exhibits
The zoo focuses primarily on animals native to Kansas and the United States, but also has exotic species.[7][8]
Bison
The zoo began featuring bison in 1985; bison are a species indigenous to Kansas, but rarely found in the wild.[9] The bison are not in the main part of the zoo, but across a pond where they can range and graze, and are only visible from the zoo train.[9][10] The zoo now has emphasized breeding pure bison as part of its mission.[9]
Black Footed Ferrets
In 1998, the zoo began displaying black-footed ferrets. The black-footed ferret is one of the most endangered species in North America, and the Hutchinson Zoo was the first zoo in Kansas to house them.[11]
Prairie Dogs
One of the exhibits features prairie dogs. Along with the exhibit there is a tunneling system for children that allows them to see into the prairie dog tunnels.[5][12][13] Flooding in 2007 completely filled the viewing tunnel with water.[6] In 2010, the Hutchinson Zoo housed around 175 prairie dogs for a short time, as their natural habitat was in the way of a nearby construction project.[14][15]
Tamarin Monkeys
The zoo has housed tamarin monkeys, two of which were born in 1999. The cotton-top tamarin monkeys are a part of the AZA's Species Survival Program.[11] In 2014, several of these monkeys died due to a virus spread by mice.[16]
Animals and Man
One exhibit at the zoo is the "Animals and Man" exhibit, which features domesticated animals from various countries that visitors can pet.[5]
Aquarium
The zoo has various fish and aquatic animals on display.
Early in December 2016, a brown banded bamboo shark joined the collection after it was hatched.[17]
Attractions
Prairie Thunder Railroad
One of the main attractions is the Prairie Thunder Railroad, a train that goes throughout the zoo.[18] The train has been operating since 2003, and nearly 10,000 people ride it each year.[3][19] The journey takes about eight minutes.[20]
Boo at the Zoo
Every year the zoo has a program around Halloween where children can come to the zoo dressed in costumes and trick-or-treat.[21]