Pocatello Zoo

Zoo Idaho is a zoo in Pocatello, Idaho, that features animals native to the Intermountain West and has been open since 1932.HistoryZoo Idaho opened in 1932. The attractions were a monkey and a raccoon held in two small wire pens. The animals were donated for display by their owner, twelve-year-old John Marshall. He and his grandfather, William Raymond, the Parks Department director, trapped most of the animals locally.The zoo todayToday the zoo has more than 100 animals representing about 40 different species. "It is one of two zoos in the United States specializing in animals native to the Intermountain West." Zoo Idaho is the only zoo to incorporate the Shoshone-Bannock tribal culture into its program and design. The zoo itself sits on a natural landscape covering 25acre in Ross Park. For many of the exhibits there is a 40ft high lava cliff as a backdrop. The cliff divides the zoo into two levels known as Upper and Lower Ross Park.There is learning and fun for all ages with the zoo's 900sqft tree house, 30ft high teepee, and petting area of barnyard animals. During the school year the zoo has established the Zoo Outreach Program, where employees bring a "piece of the zoo" into the classrooms of 3,000 school children each year. An additional 3,000 students visit the zoo on field trips in April and May alone. Zoo Idaho also has spring and summer programs and camps. The zoo holds these educational and entertaining events in the outdoor classroom called the Tall Tales Tent.Grizzly bearUrsus horribilis Animal History: One female, Stripes, and one male, Charley. Stripes was born at a zoo in Columbus, Ohio in 1989. She came to Zoo Idaho in 1991. Charley was born in Alaska in 1975 and was believed to be an orphaned cub. He has lived at the zoo since 1978. His teeth are bad because years ago, visitors fed him junk food. He is gentle compared to Stripes. Natural Habitat: Forest and mountain areas of western North America. Diet in the Wild: Grizzly bears are omnivores and eat berries, roots, insects, rodents, fruits, seeds, leaves, bark, deer, young elk, etc.