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For Immediate Release: June 18, 2007
Contact: Kelly Lessard 952.431.9217
 Apple Valley, MINN – The call of the wild has never been stronger than right here, in Minnesota’s own backyard. Following a
year-long renovation, an exciting north woods adventure awaits your arrival when the Minnesota Zoo opens its new Minnesota
Trail on July 7, 2007, featuring new species and a completely different experience for guests.
The new Minnesota Trail includes exciting exhibits for raccoons, coyotes, and gray wolves together with long-time residents
like beaver, otter, puma and lynx. Smaller Minnesota favorites, like turtles, frogs and salamanders, will be featured in the
exhibit’s “trailhead,” a warm and welcoming lodge. The quarter-mile Trail takes guests through more than 15 wildlife exhibits
where they experience a variety of Minnesota landscapes, ranging from views into a beaver pond, a walk alongside a
northern forest glade, and a bird-watching perch in the treetops.
“As the state Zoo of Minnesota, we are proud to present our new and improved ‘Minnesota Trail’ exhibit,” said Minnesota Zoo
Director and CEO Lee Ehmke. “While the Zoo displays amazing animals from across the globe, we are lucky to serve and
to represent a state with its own incredible wildlife heritage. We've used a lot of the Zoo's own in-house (and ‘in-Minnesota’)
creative talent to provide our guests with a brand new environment that is inviting, comfortable, exciting, educational, and
fun!”
The Maritz Family Lodge
Log siding, a grand stone fireplace, and beautiful photographs will be the setting for animal demonstrations and exhibits of
Minnesota turtles, snakes, and frogs in this dramatic new addition to the Trail. Inside, historical images will celebrate our rich
history with the outdoors and guests will learn about Minnesota’s lush and varied habitats.
 Frogs, Turtles, Salamanders, and Snakes
Often a child’s first encounter with nature, these small amphibians and reptiles provide a wonderful introduction to Minnesota
wildlife. A large 1,000-gallon tank exhibits various turtles such as map, soft-shelled and painted. Two smaller exhibits house
mudpuppies, garter snakes, and leopard frogs. There is also a small terrarium featuring tree frogs and salamanders.
Raccoon Exhibit
Raccoons are clever and nimble, living freely in Minnesota’s urban settings. Originally found scavenging along streams,
lake shores, and marshes, raccoons thrive in the presence of people and this new exhibit provides a close-up look at these
common but amusing backyard visitors.
 Beaver Pond
When the Trail’s beaver exhibit opened in 1978, it was the first zoo exhibit to show beavers underwater. In the renovated
Trail, guests walk along a beaver pond and down a walkway, where large windows offer an expansive underwater view, and
video monitors show action inside the lodge. Adjacent to the pond is a small wetland area.
Minnesota Lake Fish
The Trail wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to our 10,000 (actually 14,000) lakes. Underwater viewing provides guests
with some of the state’s favorites: walleye, pike, muskie, bowfin, catfish, sunfish, sturgeon—even a snapping turtle! Across
from the lake fish exhibit is a replica of a fishing boat and dock, where guests learn to identify aquatic invasives like milfoil
and zebra mussels and understand why removal of these are important to the health of our lakes.
 North American River Otters
Playful and fun to watch, otters are high-energy animals and a highlight of the Trail. They can be seen swimming, splashing,
wrestling, and sliding down their waterfall. During the summer, they catch fish in the stream and during the winter, they slide
and play on the ice.
Coyote Exhibit
Coyotes are found throughout Minnesota and have learned to adjust well to the changing landscape. In this exhibit, rocky
ledges at the edge of the forest conceal a secure coyote den—one that kids can explore too! As Minnesota’s most abundant
large predator, these highly-adaptable canines convey the story of change throughout our state.
 Wolf Woods
For the first time in many years, the Zoo is home to northern gray wolves, viewed in their native woodland setting from a
variety of perspectives including a rustic log cabin set in the center of the exhibit. A true symbol of the wilderness, wolves
are making a comeback—and the new Trail immerses guests in the wonderful and complex world of this amazing predator.
Minnesota Birds
Minnesota birds are represented by exhibits of great horned owl, bald eagle, and a pileated woodpecker. Large trees with
lofty perches show off these majestic species. A window in the woodpecker’s tree allows guests to peer into a hallow cavity
where it uses its incredibly long tongue to reach insects for food.
Wild Bird Deck
Native trees, shrubs, and perennials surround a large cedar deck with views of the Zoo’s Main Lake in the background.
A variety of feeders entice birds, and guests can practice bird watching and identification with helpful hints on landscaping
to attract our feathered friends.
 Wolverine Exhibits
Side-by-side exhibits feature two different family units of this large member of the weasel family. Active and energetic,
wolverines love to play and climb in the trees and on the rocks, especially during the winter!
Puma Exhibit
Large trees and rocky cliffs enable this strong feline to jump and climb throughout its exhibit. Also known as cougars,
mountain lions, or panthers, pumas are rarely seen in the wild. The Zoo’s exhibit gives guests a rare glimpse of this
beautiful cat.
 Canada Lynx Exhibit
Minnesota used to have the most lynx in the Great Lakes region. Today, the Zoo provides the best chance of seeing one
up close. Well-suited to Minnesota winters, lynx have large, furry feet and extra-thick fur to keep them warm and silent.
With exciting animals and a north woods experience, the Zoo’s new Minnesota Trail gives guests a safe window to
Minnesota that they’re not likely to find anywhere else. “It's our hope that Zoo guests will leave the new Minnesota Trail
with an increased appreciation for the spectacular diversity of life our state supports. We hope they leave the Zoo more
inclined to "get out there" and see some of the wonderful animals and the wild places they call home,” said Ehmke.“Working with our conservation partners, the Minnesota Zoo is very excited to take a major step forward in developing
awareness and concern about our regional wildlife with the re-opening of the Minnesota Trail.”
The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call
952.431.9200. The Minnesota Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated
to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.
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