Lake Superior Zoo

Visit fascinating animals from around the world at the Lake Superior Zoo. Situated in Fairmont Park in West Duluth, the zoo sits on over 16 acres at the base of Spirit Mountain. The rocky hillside, majestic pines and the picturesque Kingsbury Creek, which winds down the hillside through the center of the zoo grounds, makes for an ideal setting for this attraction. The Lake Superior Zoo was started in 1923 by Bert Onsgard, with support from the city of Duluth and the community. The first resident of the zoo was a white-tailed deer named Billy. By late-1920's, the zoo's collection had over 220 animals and has now grown to over 400 animals.

The Lake Superior Zoo is dedicated to the responsible stewardship of our natural environment through exhibition of living animals and plants and programs in conservation and wildlife education. The Lake Superior Zoo will strive to be recognized as a quality attraction and resource for people of all ages and a source of pride for the entire region. That Lake Superior Zoological Society's mission is: "To provide close-up animal experiences which inspire connections to wildlife and action toward conservation in our region and around the world" The zoo dates back to 1923 when a West Duluth businessman, Bert Onsgard, received permission from the City to construct a pen for Billy, his pet deer. Bert shared this vision for a zoo in West Duluth, and his idea was contagious! The community embraced the idea: the Pittsburgh Steel Company donated a railroad car of fencing, local citizens donated exotic animals, and school children raised money to purchase a pair of lion cubs. The Duluth Zoo weathered through the depression years; the WPA Program built bridges over Kingsbury Creek and many animal enclosures, including the elephant house, which are still serving the zoo today. For more information on Lake Superior Zoo history, please visit our website: http://www.lszoo.org/history.htm