Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum Of Natural History

The Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History is a progressive, mid-sized zoo with an impressive collection of animals including tigers, bears, giraffes and an array of primates. It is a source of affordable family entertainment, an ark for endangered species, a center for education, and an important economic driver for the area. For over 50 years, the Zoo has connected the people of South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa to nature. Through its mission of fostering a greater understanding of the natural world, the Great Plains Zoo has grown to become one of the top attractions in the state of South Dakota, welcoming over a quarter of a million visitors a year. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Great Plains Zoo meets the highest possible quality standards in all aspects of animal care and management. This accreditation places the Zoo in the top 10% of all animal institutions in the nation. The Zoo holds to rigorous standards and has shown innovation in education such as its nationally recognized ZooTV program. Currently, the Great Plains Zoo: *exhibits over 1,000 animals. *engages and entertains over 256,000 visitors each year in a lush, tree-lined, 45-acre park. *provides educational programs for over 46,000 kids and families in the four-state region. *is a key player in 18 endangered species breeding programs. The Zoo also includes the Delbridge Museum of Natural History, a one-in-the-world collection of 150 mounted animals, including 38 "vanishing species." With its realistic dioramas, artistic background murals, and interpretative signage, the Delbridge Museum of Natural History is a must-see, year-round attraction that further connects kids to the natural world.