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A Walk on the Wild Side From behind-the-scenes tours to immersive habitats and delicious dining, the Milwaukee County Zoo is a vibrant destination for adults as much as for kids. We tagged along with a couple as they rediscovered the benefits of a day at the Zoo.
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ohn and Margaret Baade’s eyes lit up as they tossed lettuce into the habitat. The green treat was soon spotted by Onassis – an Amazon river turtle who, at 0ver 100, is the oldest animal at the Milwaukee County Zoo. The couple cheered as the elderly turtle made her way over and crunched her favorite snack. “Coming to the Zoo, it brings out the kid that we all still are inside our hearts,” Margaret said as she watched the Humboldt penguins twirl through their underwater habitat. John and Margaret, a recently married couple in their early 60s, have a high bar for their free time. Between building a house, spending time with a grandchild, John playing in a band, and both working day jobs, they want to make the most out of quality time together – and the Zoo delivered. Revamped habitats, new animals and interactive tours make today’s Zoo experience wildly different from that of the couple’s childhoods growing up in Wisconsin, they said. The Baades joined Zookeeper Joe Newell for a “Scales and Tails” tour – a publicly available, behind-the-scenes trip through the Aquatic & Reptile Center that houses more than half the Zoo’s 2,400 animals. To reach the “secret” entrance, Newell led the Baades through a forested area off-limits to general admission zoogoers. The area also serves as a horticultural conservation spot, with flowers, trees and spots for migrating wildlife – much to the delight of Margaret,
a backyard gardener and birdwatcher. Inside the center, the couple met a jumpy Colorado River toad and petted a mellow bearded dragon. Next, they went on a safari stroll through Adventure Africa, a newly renovated area featuring sprawling habitats for savanna species. The Hippo Haven was a first for the Baades, who were in awe of Happy, the “absolutely massive” hippopotamus who was sunbathing when they stopped by. When the couple made it to Big Cat Country, it was feeding time – lions, tigers and jaguars slunk past the glass for photo ops and up-close views as they ate their lunch. Soon the couple were peeking at the mud-bathing elephant and craning up at towering giraffes. After watching so many animals feeding, John and Margaret were ready for a meal themselves, so they stopped in Crust & Copper for a pepperoni flatbread pizza. It’s the Zoo’s newest cafe, featuring a brick pizza oven and also offering an assortment of salads, pastas and sandwiches. With lunch complete, the couple wandered the walking trails – a fun way to “get out and get active.” They are planning a return in the autumn when the Zoo’s foliage will bring new life to those miles of paths. “The Zoo is this immersive experience that transports you,” Margaret said as the day reached its end. “You forget that you’re in the city. You’re temporarily in your own oasis.” ◆
Milwaukee County Zoo THROUGH SEPT. 7 Open Daily: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. SEPT. 8-OCT.31 Open Daily: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. NOV. 1-DEC. 31 Open Weekdays: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Weekends: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ADMISSION FOR AGES 60+ $12.75 - $21.75 Book a Behind-the-Scenes Tour at milwaukeezoo.org.
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