Roosevelt Park Zoo is making bold strides in animal care, conservation, and community engagement this summer with two extraordinary milestones. The grand opening of the African Plains Building, a state-of-the-art indoor giraffe facility, was celebrated on June 21, coinciding with World Giraffe Day, while the birth of four critically endangered Amur tiger cubs on May 19 marks a historic achievement in wildlife preservation. Combined with the release of a new children’s book spotlighting a real-life tiger cub’s journey to North Dakota, it’s clear that the zoo’s mission extends far beyond its gates.
On World Giraffe Day, Roosevelt Park Zoo officially opened its doors to the brand-new African Plains Building, a transformative addition to its African animal exhibits and one of the most advanced giraffe care facilities in the region. At 7,300 square feet, the indoor giraffe habitat was designed with intention and innovation, built to promote both physical health and mental enrichment for its long-necked residents.
The facility was custom-engineered to support giraffe-sized bone health, especially important during our long North Dakota winters, from the high ceilings to the specially installed pulley-based feeders, every aspect encourages natural movement, stretching, and foraging behaviors.
Beyond the visible features, the giraffe habitat includes complex enrichment systems and husbandry tools that enable zoo staff to provide world-class care. The pulley feeders encourage giraffes to reach and stretch in ways that mimic their natural browsing patterns, promoting strong joints and healthy postures.
The zoo’s giraffe conservation doesn’t stop at the enclosure. Roosevelt Park Zoo has proudly partnered with Save Giraffes Now, an international organization committed to protecting giraffe populations in the wild. Together, they’re working on an active conservation project in the Swara Plains of Kenya, a vital ecosystem for wild giraffes currently threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
Guests can enjoy interactive giraffe feeding experiences daily at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., offering up-close encounters that help spark empathy, education, and awareness in visitors of all ages.
While the giraffes reached new heights, Roosevelt Park Zoo also marked a landmark achievement in tiger conservation this spring. On May 19, the zoo’s resident Amur tigress gave birth to four healthy cubs, a rare and significant event for a species listed as critically endangered. There are estimated to be fewer than 500 Amur tigers remaining in the wild, making each birth an essential step toward the species’ survival.
“These cubs represent a major positive step forward in our effort to support the global population of Amur tigers,” said Dr. Logan Wood. “Having four thriving cubs and a mother who is successfully raising them is a true testament to the dedication and care provided by our incredible team.”
This is not only a biological milestone, but also a success story in terms of mother-reared cubs, which is always preferred in conservation breeding efforts. When mothers raise their own young without intervention, it’s an encouraging sign of maternal health, stress-free environments, and effective habitat design.
Guests eager to meet the new feline family will be able to see the tiger cubs for the first time during their official public debut on July 29, which fittingly coincides with World Tiger Day. At that event, the zoo will also reveal the cubs’ names, chosen with care to reflect their heritage and personalities.
Until then, the zoo continues to monitor their growth and milestones closely, preparing the habitat for increased public visitation.
Adding a literary touch to an already inspiring summer, Roosevelt Park Zoo is proud to feature a brand-new children’s book now available at the zoo gift shop. Titled “A Family for Zoya: The True Story of an Endangered Cub”, the book was written by Debra Kim Wolf and beautifully illustrates the emotional and physical journey of a young tiger who eventually made her home at Roosevelt Park Zoo.
Zoya’s story is not fictional, it is rooted in real events. Born at the Philadelphia Zoo, Zoya faced an uncertain start to life. After being orphaned, she was adopted by a Sumatran tiger family at the Oklahoma City Zoo, a rare cross-subspecies surrogate experience that helped Zoya learn the social and survival behaviors she would need as an adult.
Now, Zoya lives at Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, where she continues to thrive and inspire. Her story has become a symbol of collaboration between accredited zoos, and her book serves as an educational tool for young readers learning about species survival and the global efforts needed to protect endangered animals.
Between the debut of a world-class giraffe facility, the arrival of four rare tiger cubs, and the release of an inspiring children’s book, Roosevelt Park Zoo is not just preserving species. It’s inspiring a new generation of wildlife advocates and animal lovers.
With hands-on opportunities to feed giraffes, learn from keepers, and support endangered species through educational merchandise and donation programs, the zoo invites the community to become a part of its ongoing conservation story.
Whether you’re meeting the giraffes for the first time, watching tiger cubs play, or reading about Zoya’s incredible journey, one thing is certain: Roosevelt Park Zoo is where wonder meets wildlife.
Visit Roosevelt Park Zoo this summer to witness the wild wonders for yourself. More information, including tickets, hours, and special events, can be found at www.rpzoo.com.
