History
Wahpeton purchased the land for Chahinkapa Park from the federal government in 1903. In 1933 the town established a Park Board with R.J. Hughes as director, and started the zoo with just a few animals.
In the 1960s the zoo was moved to its current location, occupying 18 acres (7.3 ha) at the North end of Chahinkapa Park. The Chahinkapa Zoo Association was formed in 1974 to help plan and raise money for the zoo, and by 1984 a master plan had been developed.
In 1989 the Rodger Ehnstrom Nature Center was opened as the center of educational activity in the zoo. The zoo hired its first director in 1994, and was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1995.
In April 1997 the zoo was flooded, but all animals were safely evacuated and the zoo reopened at the end of May. Subsequently a levee was constructed to protect the North side of Walpeton (including the zoo) from 500 year flood levels. The zoo was renovated at this time with new exhibits, paths, and a petting zoo.
Read more about this topic: Chahinkapa Zoo
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