Lake Superior Zoo (Duluth Zoo)

Since its opening in 1923, the Lake Superior Zoo has evolved into a modern attraction accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) with hundreds of animals from around the world. Zoo staff work to provide close-up animal experiences that inspire connections to wildlife and action towards conservation in northern Minnesota and around the world.

The Lake Superior Zoo (Duluth Zoo) began in 1923 with a pen built by Bert Onsgard for his pet deer. He envisioned a zoo in West Duluth. The Pittsburgh Steel Company donated fencing, local citizens donated exotic animals, and school children raised money to buy a pair of lion cubs. During the Great Depression years, the Works Progress Administration built bridges over Kingsbury Creek and enclosures for the animals.

The zoo's popularity increased in the 1930s and 1940s as more animals made their debut, with some reaching celebrity status. Crowd favorites included Bessie the elephant and Valerie, a Himalayan black bear that flew as a mascot on bombing missions in World War II. An Indian mongoose named Mr. Magoo arrived in Duluth on a merchant ship and caused a stir when it was given to the zoo in 1962. It was illegal to have a mongoose in the United States. The US government ordered the animal euthanized, but public pressure resulted in an official pardon from President John F. Kennedy.

The zoo's exhibits grew to include polar bears, jaguars, a hippopotamus, hyenas, chimpanzees, and other animals. For a time, the zoo served as a polar bear breeding facility. Bison, black bears, and other North American animals became popular attractions. In the 1960s and 1970s, families enjoyed Thornton’s Kiddieland and riding the steam-powered train that ran in Fairmount Park next to the zoo.

The 1980s brought a new movement, led by the AZA. Zoos built natural habitats for animals and gave them toys and activities to enrich their lives. The Duluth Zoo's message grew beyond wildlife conservation to include concern for the environment. With better animal welfare, education, and conservation efforts, the zoo earned its first accreditation from the AZA in 1985.

The zoo's name changed to the Lake Superior Zoo in the mid-1980s to reflect its regional value. In 1987 officials shared a master plan for a modern zoo that required major renovations. The state legislature, the City of Duluth, and citizens invested $7 million dollars in improvements. Projects included natural habitats for large cats and bears and a new Australian exhibit building. The original Elephant House became the Polar Shores exhibit in 1990, housing the zoo's polar bears, harbor seals, and other arctic animals.

In the 1990s, the updated main building contained a new primate exhibit, classrooms, and other features. An observation deck overlooked the Amur tiger exhibit and zoo park. Other new facilities included a snow leopard exhibit, a primate conservation center, and the Willard Munger Animal Care Center to provide modern veterinary care for the zoo's animals.

The zoo lost its accreditation status with the AZA in 2006 but regained it in 2011 after the City of Duluth turned the operation of the zoo over to the non-profit Lake Superior Zoological Society.

On June 20, 2012, torrential rains caused Kingsbury Creek to overflow its banks and flood portions of the zoo. Fourteen animals lost their lives. Two harbor seals and a polar bear escaped their exhibits but were recovered. Due to extensive damage to the Polar Shores habitat, the zoo moved the harbor seals and polar bear to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul. The Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth gave the North American river otters a temporary home. The zoo reopened on July 13, 2012, but visitation and revenue fell.

After the flood, the zoo renovated its WPA-era bluestone open-air pavilion into an indoor classroom and special event venue. The city started a new master-planning process that was completed in early 2016. During that time, the zoo moved forward with construction of a new silver fox exhibit, new enclosures for its raptors, and renovation of the two-story primate exhibit. New exhibits featuring Bennett’s wallabies, sugar gliders, and critically endangered turtles opened in the Australia and Oceania building. Grants and donations allowed the zoo to purchase a “Zoomobile” van and other equipment, and expand educational programs.