Meet The Residents!

Tal’s Story:  Tal (Talukan) came to Chahinkapa Zoo in 2010 as part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP).  He is beloved throughout the region and known worldwide.  Tal brings much awareness to the Palm Oil Crisis and habitat destruction in the wild.

Tal was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 1986.  Sharing 97% of human DNA, orangutans are incredibly intelligent, using tools and solving puzzles keeping their minds sharp. Other enrichment includes music, playing the recorder, building, and numerous activities created by a team of caring zookeepers.  Ask about training times when you visit.  Tal knows dozens of queues making veterinary medicine non-invasive while demonstrating this close relationship to humans.

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There is nothing quite as mesmerizing as watching Tatanka and Wapiti on their native grounds.  Like the name, “Chahinkapa”, these majestic species have native origins.  “Tatanka” is Lakota for Bison while “Wapiti” is Shawnee and Cree language for “white rump” or Elk!

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Mel, Mara, and Morco are a beautiful trio!   Each with a distinct stripe pattern as different as our fingerprints.  Young zebras have fuzzy brown stripes until maturity when they turn sleek black.  Zebras are very social animals forming herds, harems, and groups, keeping watch for predators.  Their vocalization is considered a “bark” or snort” and alarms others of danger.  Here at Chahinkapa Zoo they share a habitat with white rhinos!

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Cocoa and Copper’s story begins in the wilderness.  They were rescued by USFWS officials and Chahinkapa Zoo staff after their mother was hit by a train.  This was a result of people feeding the bears causing them to be too comfortable around humans and entering public spaces.  Feeding wildlife in their native habitat is never a good idea.  Soon, they become a potential danger to humans and labeled a “nuisance animal” and may be destroyed because of it.    Thankfully, they live happily at Chahinkapa Zoo, where they spend their days playing in the water, lounging in the shade, and tugging at our hearts.  Their story reminds us why it’s so important to respect wildlife from a distance.

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The skies at Chahinkapa Zoo are alive with the calls of our incredible birds. From the regal Bald Eagle to the mischievous Peafowl, each feathered resident has its own vocalizations and behaviors.

Bald Eagle
Red-Tailed Hawk
Black Vulture
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Peafowl

Spiders, snakes, skinks and more!  Check out these favorite creepy crawlers in their bio-active habitats!

New this season: Invertebrates!

The heart of Chahinkapa Zoo is named after its founder, Bud Oliver, who established the Petting Zoo. Grandpa’s Petting Zoo is an interactive and fun time in the big red barn.

Nicknamed the heart of Chahinkapa Zoo because of our rich farm heritage in the Red River Valley!  Hand-feed our friendliest resident goats, sheep, donkeys, alpacas, and more!

Mei Lei, Cookie, and Niko are our trio of funny and fascinating spider monkeys.  Enjoy the antics as they greet you, showcasing their unique personalities. Spider monkeys use their prehensile tail as a fifth limb, which comes in handy as they are one of two primate species that do not have thumbs. Come say hello to these Chahinkapa Zoo favorites!  Fun Fact:  Like many of our zoo residents, they know their names and may respond.

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Two brothers were brought into Chahinkapa Zoo in 2025 for a breeding program with the ZAA.

These two spotted big cats are the fastest known land mammals. With a top speed of 80 mph, they can go from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds!  Their tail is designed to help steer them and keep their balance when engaged in their sprints.

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“Ghost of the mountains” is a fitting name for this beautiful and elusive species.  Living remotely high in the mountains of Nepal and Bhutan, they have been difficult to study and photograph in their natural habitat until recent years. Snow leopards are vulnerable due to loss of habitat, poaching, retaliatory killings, and a decline in prey populations.  Zoos are working in education and propagation of these amazing cats!

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A rare and magnificent sight, our Southern White Rhino is a true conservation success story.  Select zoos around the globe are helping with plight of Africa.  Poaching and habitat loss are the biggest threats to many species in the wild.  This gentle giant enjoys mud baths, grazing in the sun, and captivating visitors with its prehistoric appearance. You may be looking for Gideon’s brother, Gunner!  He remains a part of the Chahinkapa Zoo family and animal inventory but is now residing at Safari North Zoo in Brainerd!  These mature males will hopefully be getting mates in the near future.

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The ring-tailed lemur is the most recognizable of all the lemur species (over 100 different species), with their distinctive black and white striped tail! Enjoy watching their daily activities leaping through their habitat, OR check out the “Behind the Scenes Lemur Feeding” sessions.  You can schedule online or by phone.  It’s certain to create a lasting memory for years to come!  Fun fact:  This all-bachelor troop has a tight-knit social structure and loves to bask in the sun.

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Schedule a group to play with the Lemurs

Majestic and calm, our elk are a nod to the wild beauty of North America. Known for their impressive antlers and deep bugles during mating season, elk are one of the largest members of the deer family. The elk at Chahinkapa Zoo were brought here after being orphaned and now serve as ambassadors for their species. Whether they’re grazing peacefully or watching visitors with curious eyes, they offer a glimpse into the grandeur of the great outdoors.

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Playful and energetic, our river otters love diving, sliding, and splashing in the water. These expert swimmers are known for their intelligence and strong family bonds. Otters are one of the many animals we train!

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These curious and gentle creatures are known for their playful nature and soft, woolly coats. Llamas and alpacas have long been used as pack animals and fiber producers, but here at Chahinkapa Zoo, they love nothing more than greeting guests and showing off their quirky personalities. Whether they’re nibbling on hay or trotting around their enclosure, they’re always full of charm.

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Our Red Kangaroos are among the largest marsupials in the world. Known for their incredible jumping ability and strong social bonds, these fascinating creatures spend their days grazing, playing, and occasionally engaging in friendly boxing matches. With their large ears and powerful tails, they are built for life in Australia’s rugged landscapes. Come see them hop their way into your heart!

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Book a Behind The Scenes Tour with the Roos

These two-humped desert dwellers are well adapted to extreme environments. Strong and resilient, our Bactrian Camels are a fascinating glimpse into survival in harsh landscapes.

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These slender cat-like predators are despite their diminutive sizes, among the largest mammalian carnivores of Madagascar and a feared predator to the island’s native lemur population. With flexible ankles and semi-retractable claws, the fossa is an expert at climbing and hopping from tree to tree. These elusive creatures are only found on their native island. Due to their vulnerable status, zoos must take great care in ensuring this graceful creature’s propagation in captivity.

So named for their short and stubby “bobbed” tails, these medium sized lynx cats thrive all around North America. Even making their homes in North Dakota, these cats spend their time hunting and feasting on rabbits, insects, and birds. With their distinctive fur pattern, these creatures find themselves threatened by hunters and coyotes. However, our clutter of bobcats instead spends their time climbing, lounging, and playing to their heart’s content!

The cougar, also known as the mountain lion, panther, or puma; is a big cat species native to the Americas. An adaptable creature; from the Yukon of Canada all the way down to the mountains of Argentina; this cat can survive and thrive in most any setting. With a jump of up to 18 feet, these animals are experts at stalking and pouncing on prey up to three times larger than it. Unfortunately, these creatures often face large impacts from human encroachment onto their natural territories and in some areas, as many as 28% of all cougars can die from car accidents; as such we at Chahinkapa Zoo strive to always give our cougar a safe but enriching life!

If any of the world’s many creatures were to exemplify family values, it would have to be the white handed/lar gibbon. Hailing from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, these little primates form life-long family and pair bonds; teaching their offspring everything they know about life and sticking in nuclear families of one male, one female, and all of their immature children for many years. Swinging from branch to branch and vine to vine; these traveling packs rank among the fastest tree-climbers in the animal kingdom. Our family at Chahinkapa sticks close together and teaches all of us every day to treasure our families as the gibbons do.

One of our more senior members of the zoo; Snappy is over 20 years old! American alligators are the largest known species of alligator and native primarily to the marshes of the southern United States! As an apex predator, these creatures have little to be concerned about, so they are able to enjoy many relaxing days sunbathing and submerging themselves in the water. Don’t let their relaxed nature fool you though; these reptiles have one of the strongest bite forces of any living animal!

Native Location

Southern North America