Cougar Mountain Zoo
| Cougar Mountain Zoo | |
|---|---|
| File:Cougar mountain zoo logo.gif Cougar Mountain Zoo logo | |
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| 47°33′11″N 122°04′50″W / 47.55299°N 122.08069°W | |
| Location | Cougar Mountain, Issaquah, Washington, U.S. |
| Land area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| No. of animals | 53 |
| Memberships | Zoological Society of Washington |
| Website | cougarmountainzoo |
Cougar Mountain Zoo is a zoological garden located in Issaquah, Washington, on the north slope of Cougar Mountain. It was founded in 1972 by Peter and Marcie Rittler[1] and covers 8-acre (3.2 ha). The zoo is open for general admission Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. January through November.
Exhibits
The zoo offers a glimpse at many endangered species, including many endangered birds from around the world and small lemurs from Madagascar. The highlight of the zoo for many observers are the cougars, named Miksa, Kiera and Tika. The cougars are provided enrichment on a near-daily basis, which consists of a stimulant to keep them active mentally and physically. The zoo currently specializes in ten "worlds" of animals including: cougars, lemurs, cranes, reindeer, macaws, wallabies, ratites, and camelids.[2]
On June 16, 2007, another world was added to the list, when the zoo welcomed two male tiger cubs. Named Taj and Almos, at that time they were the only Bengal tigers in Washington state. Two more Bengal cubs joined the zoo in 2009.
The tenth world was added in 2016 when a pack of four male gray wolves joined the zoo. Their names are Duna (gray), Kalman (gray), Tisza (white) and Huszka (black).
Each December the zoo offers a special Reindeer Festival, during which people may come view, and feed Santa Claus's reindeer, visit the "big guy" in person, and also visit and learn about Santa's other animal helpers.[3] During this very special, one of a kind holiday celebration the zoo is open every day December 1 -23 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additional exhibits include Magnani Nature Gallery, featuring paintings sculptures and craft; Wildlife Tracks Library, Wildlife Museum featuring collection of wildlife and paraphernalia and a collection of bronze animal statues throughout the zoo.[2]
References
External links
Media related to Cougar Mountain Zoo at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
