Hutchinson Zoo

History

Planning for the Hutchinson Zoo began in 1983,and the zoo was opened on May 23, 1986.

In 2003, the zoo opened a visitor's center that is supposed to look like a log cabin.

A flood in 2007 caused the zoo to close for four months.

Exhibits

The Hutchinson Zoo primarily focuses on animals native to Kansas and the United States, but has other exotic species as well.

Bison

The Hutchinson Zoo began featuring bison in 2000; bison are a species indigenous to Kansas, but that are rarely found in the wild. The bison are not in an exhibit in the main part of the zoo, but across a pond where they can range and graze, and are only visible if one takes the zoo train. The zoo now has emphasized breeding pure bison as part of its mission.

Black Footed Ferrets

In 1998, the Hutchinson Zoo began displaying black footed ferrets. The black footed ferret is the most endangered species in North America, and the Hutchinson Zoo was the first zoo in Kansas to house them.

Prairie Dogs

One of the exhibits features prairie dogs. Along with the exhibit there is a special tunneling system meant for children to enter, that allows them to see into the prairie dog tunnels. Flooding in 2007 completely filled the viewing tunnel with water. In 2010, the Hutchinson Zoo housed around 175 prairie dogs for a short time, as their natural habitat was in the way of a construction project nearby.

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. In 2014, several of these monkeys died due to a virus spread by mice.

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.

Aquarium

The Hutchinson Zoo has various fish and aquatic animals on display.

Early in December of 2016, a brown banded bamboo shark joined the collection when it was hatched.

Prairie Thunder Railroad

One of the main attractions of the Hutchinson Zoo is the Prairie Thunder Railroad, which is a train that goes throughout the zoo. The train has been operating since 2003, and nearly 10,000 people ride the train each year. It takes about eight minutes to take you all the way around Carey Park.

Boo at the Zoo

Every year the Hutchinson Zoo has a program around Halloween where children can come to the zoo dressed in costumes and trick-or-treat.

Rehabilitation Program

The Hutchinson Zoo is one of four places in Kansas that offers animal rehabilitation services. The zoo began their animal rehabilitation program in 1991. The first year, they rehabilitated thirteen animals. Various animals, including bald eagles have been rehabilitated through this program. In 2004, the zoo rehabilitation program had grown to rehabilitate over 600 animals.

In 2012, the zoo began to limit the number and type of animals they would help, due to concerns that people were bringing in animals who were not actually in need of assistance and because some animals may bring disease or illness to the zoo.