Current Project:
Wildcat Exhibit
The Oxbow Park Zollman Zoo displays only native Minnesota wildlife. Park staff and Friends members are proud to house these animals in exhibits that are humane and fiscally prudent, but also stimulate lifelong interest and learning in our visitors.
The current cougar exhibit, though adequate, is static and unnatural. It does not display this magnificent creature in a way that captures many people's interest. It is relatively small for such a large animal, has a plain sand floor and is of the simple "corn crib" design.
Our plans call for a larger, more diverse habitat for three native wild cats (cougar, lynx and bobcat). It will incorporate varied terrain with features that will encourage more active natural behaviors, thereby stimulating interest and questions about wildlife and habitat.
Highlights:
- The new exhibit was designed by Park staff with input from
volunteers and visitors. A local architect and longtime park
user, Byron Stadsvold, is donating the architectural design and
engineering specification plans.
- Much of the site preparation, custom structural
manufacturing, and the actual construction of the exhibit itself
will be done in-house, by park department staff and/or
volunteers under Park staff supervision. A local contractor will
likely be used for some electrical and plumbing work.
- This exhibit, as is Park policy, will be built solely with donations. The full funding will be secured BEFORE the facility can be built. The material cost of the exhibit has been estimated at nearly $90,000 and the county does not provide funds for the construction of exhibits in the zoo. However, the size and scope of this project is considerably greater than our current donation reserves, thus we have begun a capital campaign.
