Flood mitigation work involves zoo, park
New African Plains Building being constructed
The new African Plains Building at Roosevelt Park Zoo is anticipated to be completed in spring to early summer of 2025.
JaKiya, born in March, is the first African lion cub born at Roosevelt Park Zoo for more than 40 years. Today, JaKiya weighs 120-130 pounds.
JaKiya, born in March, is the first African lion cub born at Roosevelt Park Zoo for more than 40 years. Today, JaKiya weighs 120-130 pounds.
Dr. Logan Wood, Roosevelt Park Zoo veterinarian, was named zoo director in November.
The new African Plains Building at Roosevelt Park Zoo is anticipated to be completed in spring to early summer of 2025.
JaKiya, born in March, is the first African lion cub born at Roosevelt Park Zoo for more than 40 years. Today, JaKiya weighs 120-130 pounds.
JaKiya, born in March, is the first African lion cub born at Roosevelt Park Zoo for more than 40 years. Today, JaKiya weighs 120-130 pounds.
Dr. Logan Wood, Roosevelt Park Zoo veterinarian, was named zoo director in November.
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Projects in and around Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot began moving forward in 2024.
According to zoo information:
Tree removal work in Roosevelt Park for the flood mitigation project started in February. The removal of the trees make way for the levees and wall that will be part of the flood mitigation project. Trees removed are directly related to the flood project or have reached the end of their lives.
The zoo's giraffe exhibit was modified during the construction of the new African Plains Building.
The African Plains Building has been a dream for the zoo for more than two decades.
When completed, the new building will have a large space for the giraffes during the winter months and zoo visitors will be able to see them year-round. The completion of the building is anticipated to be in spring to early summer of 2025.
Fundraising will continue so an African aviary and a giraffe tamer to allow better access for veterinary care can be added. Other MI-7 flood protection projects will include a boardwalk from the building to an elevated platform for viewing the giraffes in their new outdoor habitat.
In March, an African lion cub born at the zoo marked the first cub born there in more than 40 years. JaKiya, born March 6, continues to reside at the zoo and now weighs between 120-130 pounds.
In November, the Minot Park District named zoo veterinarian Dr. Logan Wood the new zoo director. Wood has been zoo veterinarian since 2019.
Wood acknowledged in a statement from the Minot Park District that the next few years will be challenging with the MI-7 project and construction with the 'New Zoo.'
"But I see it as an opportunity. I have always enjoyed the challenges of envisioning new ways to bring people to the zoo. Building a new zoo and a new future requires a stable foundation. This foundation, to me, will be built upon four key pillars: our animals, our staff, our community and conservation. At the end of the day, I want to do right by our animals, our staff and our community," he said.
Two weeks later, a news release was issued saying in honor of Native American Heritage Day (Nov. 29), the zoo acknowledges it is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Assiniboine peoples, who have been the stewards and keepers of this land for generations. In a statement, the zoo named several sovereign nations of the northern plains whose lands encompass North Dakota today. The zoo acknowledged its "responsibility to join with the tribes to inspire and advance the restoration of relationships between humans and the living world around us."
Since the land acknowledgement statement was announced, Wood said, "The zoo has started discussions with stakeholders on how to respectfully incorporate cultural perspectives, real history and traditional values into our zoo along with ways the zoo can help support indigenous communities moving forward."