Photo Gallery Friday: Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek

Photo Gallery Friday is a regular feature on Travel the Mitten that will help showcase photos from places where one post just isn’t enough to show off everything.

Michigan is lucky enough to have a handful of large, award-winning zoos. Since 1977, families have enjoyed the experience of visiting Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. Covering more than 430 acres, this zoo features 600 animals (140 different species) and the popular Wild Africa exhibit. Zoo guests can see black bears, giraffes, red pandas, zebras, cheetahs, bald eagles and many more animals here. Younger visitors will also find fun at the Miller Children’s Zoo, where they can pet and feed animals.

Zoo guests reach the Wild Africa exhibits by traveling on a Wilderness Tram (free). The Z. O. & O. Railroad ($3) offers different perspectives as it winds its way through the zoo. The Binda Conservation Carousel ($3) is a “one-of-a-kind wooden carousel was custom made for the zoo and features a menagerie of 36 colorful, hand-carved animal figures. Themed murals, crests, lighting and music weave together to create a stunning whirl of animals that delight riders of all ages.”

Binder Park Zoo is set to open for the 2015 season on April 16th, and has many fun activities planned this year – consider attending the Cheetah Chase 5K (June 27), Tour de Zoo: Bikes, Beasts & Beer (August), or the Zoo Boo (October). The zoo is located at 7400 Division Drive and most easily accessed from I-94 exit 100.

Find up to date information at https://binderparkzoo.org/.

Special thanks go out to Jeff and Pam Hesterly for providing additional photos for this article!