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In 2022, after the two only black zookeepers at the Zoo resigned in part due to perceived poor management, racism, and retaliation from management, Dane County started an investigation into the practices of the zoo. The county found that the zoo created a toxic work environment, a lack of employees
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For the hundredth anniversary of the zoo, the society operated a Zoo
Century campaign to support a $ 27 million redevelopment of the zoo over the next 10 years. Plans call for a new Arctic Passage exhibit and a redesigned Children's Zoo. The Arctic Passage, which includes a major expansion that
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By 1911, 28 acres (11 ha) of the park were partitioned into an animal exhibit, marking the creation of the zoo. The
Madison Zoological and Aquarium Society was founded in 1914, and in 1926 became the Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society, which continues today. In 1964, the society was
264:. The polar bear and harbour seal exhibits have underwater viewing and there is a stream for the grizzly bears. The exhibit includes several sustainability features like solar panels, rainwater harvesting and an underground storage unit that saves over 2 million gallons of water.
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under the conditions that it be used "for the uses and purposes of a public park and pleasure ground". The park was named in honor of the
Vilases' son, Henry, who died in 1899 at the age of 27 from complications related to
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The county then authorized an independent investigation. This investigation found no evidence of a hostile work environment nor discrimination, but some evidence of isolated past issues with animal treatment.
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in enclosures simulating their natural habitats in the wild with features like heated rocks to keep them warm during winter. Nearby is an enclosure for
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The zoo hosts an annual Zoo Run Run with a 5K-10K run/walk. The race starts and finishes in the zoo, and uses portions of the adjacent
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203:(Association of Zoos & Aquariums) zoo, their mission is to conserve and protect the wonders of the natural living world.
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includes a new restaurant, and new enclosures for seals and returning grizzly and polar bears opened May 23, 2015.
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The
Wisconsin Heritage Trail opened in 2016 and highlights Wisconsin's rich mining history. It has enclosures for
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787:"Henry Vilas Zoo falls short on conservation mission, raising questions on place in Madison community"
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The zoo houses amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mammals, and reptiles from several continents.
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846:"County investigation of Vilas Zoo confirms 'toxic' work environment, blames staff not bosses"
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of color, inadequate welfare for animals, and management favoritism toward certain employees.
900:"Investigation into Henry Vilas Zoo finds no evidence of hostile environment, discrimination"
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It also prides itself on being one of ten zoos in the U.S. that remains free to the public.
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818:"Racism, dead penguins and retaliation: Why the Vilas Zoo lost its only Black zookeepers"
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The Henry Vilas Zoo is one of ten remaining free zoos in North
America. As an accredited
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A $ 4.2 million dollar aviary opened in 2000. Outside the aviary are enclosures for
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The
Children's Zoo features the sustainably designed Red Barn, which houses their
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The
Discovery Center allows hands-on interactions with animals. It houses
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The George Fait North
American Prairie is a large yard home to the zoo's
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Opened in 2015, the Arctic
Passage features large, natural habitats for
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Opened in 1995, the
Primate House houses three species of primates,
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181:. The family stipulated that the park always be admission-free.
874:"Dane Co. Supervisors approve investigation of Henry Vilas Zoo"
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985:"Henry Vilas Zoo's new Arctic Passage: It's a real wow factor"
742:"Henry Vilas Zoo's new Arctic Passage: It's a real wow factor"
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The Herpetarium is home to the zoo's reptiles and amphibians.
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In 1904, the city received 50 acres (20 ha) of land from
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1004:"Meet Bo! The new polar bear calling Henry Vilas Zoo home"
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940:"Photos: Some of our favorite animals from Madison's zoo"
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have outdoor exhibits. Some of the collection include
722:: Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society. Archived from
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These yards are home to the zoo's larger hoofstock,
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164:, the zoo receives over 750,000 visitors annually.
312:. The aviary is home to many tropical birds like
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925:"Giraffe kicks woman in the face at Madison zoo"
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224:In 2015, a woman was kicked in the face by a
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280:, but then bad weather killed all of them.
156:, United States, that is accredited by the
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185:incorporated as a non-profit corporation.
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1272:Protected areas of Dane County, Wisconsin
1267:Tourist attractions in Madison, Wisconsin
590:"Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums"
194:University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum
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564:"Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin"
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1052:"Zoo changes locations of two animals"
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1002:Fryer, Stephanie (18 November 2020).
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686:"Timeline: Vilas Zoo over 100 years"
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785:Axelrod, Emma (21 September 2021).
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276:. This area was also once home to
268:George Fait North American Prairie
228:after climbing into the enclosure
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967:"Zoo Exhibitions and Attractions"
816:Robinson, Lucas (16 April 2022).
713:"'Zoo Century' Campaign Unveiled"
661:. Henry Vilas Zoo. Archived from
513:green and black poison dart frogs
414:
247:
158:Association of Zoos and Aquariums
148:is a 28-acre (11 ha) public
684:DeFour, Matthew (3 April 2010).
620:"Zoo Gig Adds to 'Amazing Life'"
463:Discovery Center and Herpetarium
371:
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1262:Geography of Madison, Wisconsin
1050:Site staff (13 December 2017).
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1028:Mesch, Shelley (May 16, 2019).
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898:Fried, Emma (24 October 2022).
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521:yellow-banded poison dart frogs
1236:Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo
1161:International Crane Foundation
938:Heynen, Nick (20 March 2016).
844:Robinson, Lucas (5 May 2022).
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740:Punzel, Dennis (24 May 2015).
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540:Madagascar hissing cockroaches
459:pond, a train and a carousel.
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872:Viviani, Nick (3 June 2022).
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382:black-and-white ruffed lemurs
1141:Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
517:strawberry poison-dart frogs
243:Harmon, the zoo's Rhinoceros
7:
310:North American river otters
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1191:Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo
659:"History of the Vilas Zoo"
618:Moe, Doug (23 July 2009).
300:Tropical Rainforest Aviary
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1171:Jo-Don Farms Incorporated
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509:Golfodulcean poison frogs
485:alligator snapping turtle
433:Indian crested porcupines
366:Indian crested porcupines
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16:Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin
544:Seba's short-tailed bats
532:giant African millipedes
505:dyeing poison dart frogs
346:ocellate river stingrays
284:Wisconsin Heritage Trail
1211:Timbavati Wildlife Park
945:Wisconsin State Journal
851:Wisconsin State Journal
823:Wisconsin State Journal
747:Wisconsin State Journal
691:Wisconsin State Journal
625:Wisconsin State Journal
469:Aldabra giant tortoises
392:Savanna and High Plains
1221:Wildwood Wildlife Park
314:blue-and-yellow macaws
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174:William and Anna Vilas
493:Standing's day geckos
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115:Public transit access
92:28 acres (11 ha)
58:43.05944°N 89.41028°W
1186:Milwaukee County Zoo
445:red-footed tortoises
429:white-handed gibbons
342:red-bellied piranhas
326:white-cheeked turaco
318:blue-crowned motmots
232:Animals and exhibits
1231:Wisconsin Deer Park
1206:Shalom Wildlife Zoo
525:red-eyed tree frogs
473:American alligators
334:Geoffroy's marmoset
322:laughing kookaburra
63:43.05944; -89.41028
54: /
1181:Menominee Park Zoo
729:on 20 August 2013.
720:Madison, Wisconsin
630:Madison, Wisconsin
455:. There is also a
449:American flamingos
386:ring-tailed lemurs
378:Bornean orangutans
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154:Madison, Wisconsin
1257:Zoos in Wisconsin
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971:henryvilaszoo.gov
792:The Badger Herald
718:(Press release).
665:on April 26, 2015
453:Chilean flamingos
338:red-rumped agouti
220:Notable incidents
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1176:Lincoln Park Zoo
1136:Animal Haven Zoo
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290:American badgers
160:(AZA). Owned by
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97:Annual visitors
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1146:Bear Den Zoo
1055:. Retrieved
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669:December 30,
667:. Retrieved
663:the original
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489:Gila monster
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292:and rescued
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278:prairie dogs
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1196:Ochsner Zoo
1151:Concord Zoo
1057:15 February
989:madison.com
603:11 November
574:30 December
570:. City Data
362:Amur tigers
332:as well as
254:polar bears
207:Controversy
162:Dane County
105:Memberships
61: /
1251:Categories
1201:Racine Zoo
1035:August 10,
771:2020-12-19
762:"About Us"
550:References
481:massasauga
425:red pandas
330:sunbittern
49:89°24′37″W
1120:Wisconsin
638:391531838
441:aardvarks
306:capybaras
89:Land area
82:Wisconsin
46:43°3′34″N
1013:18 March
951:18 March
909:18 March
883:18 March
857:18 March
829:18 March
798:18 March
697:18 March
643:18 March
634:ProQuest
437:meerkats
179:diabetes
74:Location
594:aza.org
226:giraffe
168:History
130:Website
100:750,000
78:Madison
636:
727:(PDF)
716:(PDF)
421:goats
1116:Zoos
1059:2024
1037:2024
1015:2023
953:2023
911:2023
904:WKOW
885:2023
878:WMTV
859:2023
831:2023
800:2023
699:2023
671:2011
645:2023
605:2011
576:2011
542:and
523:and
471:and
451:and
404:and
384:and
360:and
344:and
328:and
308:and
260:and
137:.gov
1118:of
598:AZA
457:koi
201:AZA
152:in
150:zoo
109:AZA
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
