A GEM IN THE NORTHWOODS. Irvine Park Zoo is gearing up for another busy summer season – and some fun additions.

Earlier this year, the Chippewa Falls community had to say farewell to Irvine Park Zoo’s longtime resident white tiger, Lulu. Since her passing, one of the local zoo’s large animal exhibits has remained empty – and will like stay that way until some upgrades are made.

Irvine Park has been busy gearing up for the upcoming summer season — the 300-plus-acre park is a huge draw for locals and visitors alike thanks to its abundance of natural scenic beauty, hiking and recreational trails, playgrounds, and the free-to-visit zoo.

Over the years, Irvine Park Zoo has been home to all kinds of animals, including both exotic and native North American species. Moving forward, the public will largely see the latter, according to City Parks Director John Jimenez.

“Our zoo in general has kind of shifted its priorities into making sure that we provide the animals with a more natural setting that reflects their natural habitats,” Jimenez explained. “It’s beneficial for the animals, and it benefits the community because those animals will be able to be outdoors during the wintertime.”

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WE WOULD LOVE TO REBUILD IF POSSIBLE, BUT THAT'S GRANDEUR.

Ultimately, I think we will more than likely need to do a capital campaign of sorts, because we function predominantly on donations.

JOHN JIMENEZ

CHIPPEWA FALLS PARKS DIRECTOR, on the future of irvine park zoo's large animal exhibits

Jimenez said animals better suited to northern American climate like cougars, lynx, yak, and more will be considered as future additions to the zoo. Of course, the bison are still in their separate pasture, and visitors will recognize the zoo’s aviary animals – its eagle, red tail hawk, and an owl – as well as Lenny the white skunk, lemurs, coati, and more.

New furry faces for the public to get to know this year include two kit foxes, sugar gliders, and snakes. With the addition of the young red foxes, the zoo has slowly transitioned toward owning its animals.

“Previously we’ve either partnered (with other organizations) or leased animals, and typically had them here on a seasonal basis,” Jimenez said. “Now, with some of our animals like the fox, we’ll have them here all the time. The benefit of having animals while they’re young is, our zookeepers can really get to know them and they could become ambassador animals.”

“Over time, ambassador animals at the zoo would become more comfortable with the keepers — creating new possibilities for educational opportunities between the animals and the public."

The zookeeper team will soon expand with new participants from the annual Junior Zookeeper Camp, offered each summer. Jimenez noted this program will also experience changes throughout the season.

“We’re bringing more hands-on participation and activities, like through animal enrichment opportunities, nutrition and animal diets, and overall education of our facility,” he said. “(The junior zookeepers will) create and design exhibits for our animals, learn how to prep their diets, and be more hands-on with the petting zoo.”

In an effort to encourage visitors to check out the zoo’s indoor facilities, the Welcome Center will also be host to brand-new insects and animals, including hissing cockroaches, a tarantula, scorpion, and snakes.

As for the large animal exhibit — once home to Lulu — Jimenez said major repair will need to be done before introducing a new animal there. These exhibits are almost 20 years old, he said, and the Irvine Park Zoo team is evaluating whether it will be more feasible to renovate, restore, or completely rebuild the exhibits.

“We would love to rebuild if possible, but that’s grandeur,” Jimenez said. “The more realistic option is to remodel, but we have to do our due diligence and explore every avenue. Ultimately, I think we will more than likely need to do a capital campaign of sorts, because we function predominantly on donations.”

Ongoing construction efforts at the zoo will involve splitting the former Watusi pasture from the bison pasture to create a walking maintenance road between each pasture. This project will allow visitors to view the bison from a different point of view, and create a separate space new animals to live in the future.

Irvine Park Zoo's large animal exhibits – pictured here after a vibrant paint job a few years ago – is in need of repair or renovation before it welcomes new animals in the future.

Keep up with the Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation and Forestry Dept. on Facebook for future Irvine Park Zoo (125 Bridgewater Ave.) updates and more • Irvine Park Zoo is open daily from 10am-3:30pm on weekdays and 10am-4:30pm on weekends, and will expand its hours after Memorial Day