Minnesota Zoo seeks state funds for upgraded animal care facility

Nimbus and Pepper are not your typical committee testifiers.

Yet, both appeared before lawmakers Tuesday to help make the case for a new animal hospital at the Minnesota Zoo.

“Look at those cute little animals,” Rep. Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) said of Nimbus, the chinchilla, and Pepper, a Soloman Islands skink.

Director John Frawley told the House Capital Investment Committee a new animal hospital and wellness center to help employees and zoo animals like Nimbus and Pepper is the Minnesota Zoo’s most critical need right now.

The first building to be constructed at the zoo in Apple Valley, the current animal hospital is 50 years old and in dire need of an update. Frawley said its age poses risks to both the animals being treated and humans doing the treatment.

“The facility is not equipped to handle the approximately 5,000 animals at the zoo of great diversity of species, putting humans and animals in difficult working environments that are not ergonomic or safe,” said Anne Rivas, director of animal health.

Zoo officials are requesting nearly $17.7 million in bonding for a new wildlife hospital and wellness center. The 2025 bonding proposal put forth by Gov. Tim Walz has just $3.81 million for asset preservation and building maintenance for the zoo. Per the proposal, the estimated total deferred maintenance need at the zoo is $66.97 million.

[MORE: View the zoo’s presentation]

The state-of-the-art center for veterinary care, education and training is expected to cost $30 million, with $9 million already raised from private donations and $1.22 million from previous state funding.

The zoo’s current animal hospital lacks the essential infrastructure to meet U.S. Department of Agriculture and veterinary standards, Rivas said. Animal holding spaces are inadequate, and the surgical area is too small and lacks proper ventilation.

“The key thing is to create a safer and more ergonomic workspace to work with wildlife and zoo animal species and provide them the proper medical care that they need at current industry standards,” she said.