Wildwood Wildlife Park

The kids and I journeyed to Jim Peck's Wildlife Wilderness in Minocqua.  Hard to believe that Wisconsin's 2nd largest zoo is in the Northwoods! The zoo is a private zoo and even though it helps the Wisconsin Government by housing birds of prey that are unable to live in the wild due to injury- they receive no public funding.

As you purchase your tickets to the zoo in the gift shop, you are also given the option to buy Wasa crackers to feed the animals.  Clearly the many goats are aware and wait for you as you exit the gift shop!!!  We were greeted by adult goats and adorable baby goats who tugged at our shirts and shorts wanting crackers.

I especially loved this little kid standing on top of a tortoise!  There are also 2 large pigs who grunt and want crackers.  (We were warned by our waitress during our pre-zoo lunch to stay away from the pigs because they sometimes bite . . .)

In the front area with the pigs and goats were also caged skunks, porcupines, ferrets, a burrowing owl, hedgehogs, opossum, rabbits and a few others.  They rotate taking out these animals for guests to pet.  The young teenager working the area was extremely knowledgeable and answered all questions.  (Someday child #3 would be amazing and love a similar job . . .)

Next we went to a covered enclosure where baby bunnies scurried.  The sign said, "Only 6 people allowed at a time" and without monitoring, people adhered to the signage.  (You would not find that in most areas . . .). My kids could not get enough of the cuddly bunnies!

Next we went into the main part of the zoo.  You would be amazed at the animals housed there- and the proximity to which you can view them!  Minus the Puerto Vallarta Zoo, it was the closest I have been to the animals!  Highlights included the 3 black bears, 2 howling Timberwolves, the Peregrine falcon (eating a mouse as we watched!), the red footed tamarins and their babies, river otters, and the reptile house.  Tame deer roam the park and you can pet them!  The kids especially liked the albino deer.

New to the park since our last visit is the "Budgie house" which houses over 900 parakeets.  Upon entering, you can purchase a feeding stick for $1.  (It's a Popsicle stick with bird food glued on.). Birds are easily coaxed onto the stick.  The kids especially loved putting the stick on their heads so that the birds would sit on their heads.  After 40 minutes of parakeets EVERYWHERE, I told the kids we needed to move on!!!

This zoo was great!  If you ever find yourself in Minocqua (or near it), stop and visit as it is worth both the time and money.