ZooMontana is a wildlife park located in Billings, Montana, U.S. and is Montana's only zoo and botanical park. It currently maintains nearly 100 animals, representing 58 species. These animals all live in habitats designed to imitate their natural habitats. The zoo was incorporated and established as a non-profit 501 C (3) organization in 1982. It focuses on year-round wildlife native to Montana, the Rocky Mountains, and other cold temperature regions at or above the 45th Parallel. Indoor habitats include animals from around the world. The zoo hosts over 80,000 visitors per year. Canyon Creek runs through the center of the zoo's grounds, creating a natural and tranquil park-like setting. 2018 marked the establishment of the Yellowstone Arboretum located on the ZooMontana grounds, containing a large selection of native and non-native trees.

Animal exhibits

ZooMontana is divided into two main "regions" in addition to other exhibits. The Asia Region starts by the wolves and is a paved path through a cottonwood forest. The path splits at one point and one half becomes a nature trail. The other path splits again, one going towards the Siberian tiger, and the other going to the red panda. The North America Region includes habitats for wolf,

grizzly bear The grizzly bear (''Ursus arctos horribilis''), also known as the North American brown bear or simply grizzly, is a population or subspecies of the brown bear inhabiting North America. In addition to the mainland grizzly (''Ursus arctos horri ...

, river otter,

beaver Beavers are large, semiaquatic rodents in the genus ''Castor'' native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. There are two extant species: the North American beaver (''Castor canadensis'') and the Eurasian beaver (''C. fiber''). Beavers ar ...

bald eagle The bald eagle (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'') is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (''Haliaeetus albicilla''), which occupies the same niche as ...

, and bighorn sheep. Several animals can be found indoors amongst the Living Wall habitats within the zoo's Discovery Center. These exhibits include animals from South America, Africa, and other parts of the world. These Living Wall Habitats include iguana,

mink Mink are dark-colored, semiaquatic, carnivorous mammals of the genera ''Neogale'' and '' Mustela'' and part of the family Mustelidae, which also includes weasels, otters, and ferrets. There are two extant species referred to as "mink": the A ...

chinchilla Chinchillas are either of two species (''Chinchilla chinchilla'' and ''Chinchilla lanigera'') of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha. They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mount ...

, western screech-owl,

Madagascar hissing cockroach The Madagascar hissing cockroach (''Gromphadorhina portentosa''), also known as the hissing cockroach or simply hisser, is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching at maturity. They are native to the island of Madagascar, which is off ...

es, tiger salamander, ball python, box turtle,

rubber boa The rubber boa (''Charina bottae'') is a species of snake in the family Boidae and is native to North America. It is sometimes known as the coastal rubber boa or the northern rubber boa and is not to be confused with the southern rubber boa (''C ...

, aracari, common degus, Columbian red tailed boa constrictor, savannah monitor, and several other snakes, lizards, turtles, amphibians, and arthropods. The Barn is home to mostly domesticated animals, including Belgian draft horses, pygmy goats, peafowl,

rabbit Rabbits, also known as bunnies or bunny rabbits, are small mammals in the family Leporidae (which also contains the hares) of the order Lagomorpha (which also contains the pikas). ''Oryctolagus cuniculus'' includes the European rabbit speci ...

s, and goats. During the warmer months, the turkey vulture may be found here as well. Zoo guests also may visit the ponds and feed the koi for a small fee. Beginning in 2016, the zoo will have new exhibits featuring takin, wolverines,

bison Bison are large bovines in the genus ''Bison'' (Greek: "wild ox" (bison)) within the tribe Bovini. Two extant and numerous extinct species are recognised. Of the two surviving species, the American bison, ''B. bison'', found only in North Ame ...

, and

raptor Raptor or RAPTOR may refer to: Animals The word "raptor" refers to several groups of bird-like dinosaurs which primarily capture and subdue/kill prey with their talons. * Raptor (bird) or bird of prey, a bird that primarily hunts and feeds on v ...

Botanical gardens

The one-acre Sensory Garden is planted with both native and exotic plants intended to stimulate all of your senses. It is a very popular site for weddings. The zoo also includes a Montana garden with native plants, and Dottie's Garden, which is home to plants that use very little water.

ZooSchool Preschool

ZooMontana is home to ZooSchool Preschool, an independent preschool which holds classes within the zoo.

Science and Conservation Center

The Science and Conservation Center is an independent non-profit organization that is headquartered at the zoo. The center produces and distributes a wildlife contraceptive vaccine, and maintains records and data required by the Food and Drug Administration and

Environmental Protection Agency A biophysical environment is a biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population, and consequently includes the factors that have an influence in their survival, development, and evolution. A biophysical environment can vary in scale f ...

. Working with the Contraception Advisory Group of the

AZA Aza or AZA may refer to: Places *Aza, Azerbaijan, a village and municipality *Azadkənd, Nakhchivan or Lower Aza, Azerbaijan *Aza, medieval name of Haza, Province of Burgos, Spain *Aźa, a Tibetan name for the Tuyuhun kingdom *Aza, a Hebrew roman ...

at the Saint Louis Zoo, the center coordinates, and in some cases carries out, application of the contraceptive to wildlife.

History

In March 2014, ZooMontana experienced flooding, and "more than three feet of water covered some of the zoo’s paths."

Notes

External links

* * {{authority control Zoos in Montana Buildings and structures in Billings, Montana Tourist attractions in Billings, Montana 1992 establishments in Montana Zoos established in 1992