Up Close and Personal at the Minnesota Zoo

This past weekend Alex and I visited the Minnesota Zoo for the afternoon. I had heard on the radio that the resident Moose just had twins. Since one of my life goals has been to see a Moose, I thought it would be fun to finally see three. I missed out when I travelled to Alaska and when we drove the Gunflint Trail in Northern Minnesota. While I would have liked to have seen my first Moose in the wild, I guess the zoo will have to do. 

The Minnesota Zoo is very different from the Cincinnati Zoo. I can't say one is better than the other. Cincinnati seems smaller because there aren't as many open space areas for the animals. The MN Zoo had a lot of open spaces for multiple animals. The Camels, Giraffe, Zebras, etc. were all in one area. The MN Zoo also sets it up so that you really feel like you are walking through their habitats. They had one exhibit for just Minnesota wildlife. I had no idea there was such a variety or that Puma live in Minnesota. Yikes!

So I have never thought there was much to say about being a Michigan Wolverine. Aren't wolverines just oversized rodents? So I saw several in the zoo, and I am thinking they are a bit frightening. Wolverines also apparently live in Minnesota as well.

The Brown Bear does not live in Minnesota. And I am thankful. When we walked up to their area, this is what we saw. 

But then a minute later the Dark Brown Bear showed his softer side. He was so cute. He also put on a show for the onlookers. I could have watched him all day. I just wanted to give him a big bear hug.