The entrance to Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D., welcomes more
than 50,000 visitors a year.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
The Prarie Rose Carousel is owned by Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton,
N.D. The 1926 carousel was restored by volunteers and was completed
in 1992.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
Zookeeper Adrienne Paul plays with a 7-week-old Fossa at
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
A crowd watches a training session at the orangutan exhibit at
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D. The zookeepers hold four training
sessions a day with different animals so the public can see animal
interactions.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
Zookeeper Adrienne Paul feeds a grizzly bear a strawberry while
showing the public how zookeepers train their animals at the
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
Zookeepers Adrienne Paul and Nick Hruska show visitors at
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D. a training session with their
grizzly bears. The zookeepers hold four training sessions a day
with different animals so the public can see animal
interactions.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
Zookeeper Nate Olson cleans the tiger exhibit daily at
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D., has several primate
exhibits.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
Kathy Diekman, director at Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D.,
talks to a group of visitors after zookeepers held a public
training session with their orangutan. The zookeepers hold four
training sessions a day with different animals so the public can
see animal interactions.
PAUL RUHTER/Gazette Staff
Visitors can walk through an enclosed aviary at Chahinkapa Zoo
in Wahpeton, N.D. The exhibit was completely paid for by the U.S.
Fish Wildlife Service.
Zoological Society: The zoo’s zoological
society is informally composed of its zoo members. The zoo does
have a seven-member zoo association that covers zoo policy.
Budget: About $500,000.
Funding sources: Admission, donations,
endowment fund and grants. The director’s salary is paid through
the city of Wahpeton, as is the zoo’s water bill.
Animals: More than 200 animals representing 70
species from six continents, including gibbons, spider monkeys,
tigers, snow leopards, camels, bison, mountain lions, grizzly
bears, river otters, lemurs and an orangutan.
Employees: Three full-time salaried employees,
three full-time hourly employees, three part-time keepers and two
part-time bookkeeping and guest service employees.
Volunteers: 40 to 50 families volunteer each
summer, as well as hundreds of others that show up to volunteer
events. There are also five specialized volunteers.
Amenities: Carousel, concessions stand,
discovery center, gift shop, Junior Zoo Keeper Camp, concord grape
archway, petting zoo and feeding area, posted animal trainings and
enrichments.
A crowd watches a training session at the orangutan exhibit at
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D. The zookeepers hold four training
sessions a day with different animals so the public can see animal
interactions.
Zookeeper Adrienne Paul feeds a grizzly bear a strawberry while
showing the public how zookeepers train their animals at the
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D.
Zookeepers Adrienne Paul and Nick Hruska show visitors at
Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D. a training session with their
grizzly bears. The zookeepers hold four training sessions a day
with different animals so the public can see animal
interactions.
Kathy Diekman, director at Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, N.D.,
talks to a group of visitors after zookeepers held a public
training session with their orangutan. The zookeepers hold four
training sessions a day with different animals so the public can
see animal interactions.
Visitors can walk through an enclosed aviary at Chahinkapa Zoo
in Wahpeton, N.D. The exhibit was completely paid for by the U.S.
Fish Wildlife Service.
