The Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo is something of a maze these days. It isn’t hard to find your way around but there are some barricades. Some are there because old wooden fences are being replaced but the paths to the lions’ yards have also been off limits.
The male lion, Luke, went off-exhibit this week to heal from surgery to his tail. Signs at the zoo ask visitors to respect all barriers and keep their voices down near the area.
Zoo Director Ashley Burdick said Tuesday that she wasn’t ready to release more information but would share details as they become available. “For the moment he is doing well.”
Other signs in the zoo explain that Luke suffered an injury to his tail that required surgery.
“This portion of the zoo is currently closed as he needs a calm and quiet environment while healing,” a sign reads. “Please respect the barricades and keep voices down or we will have to close off more of the zoo for him. Unfortunately, tail injuries are common in cats and often require surgical intervention.”
Luke celebrated his 12th birthday in February.
Animal welfare is always a priority at the zoo, which is why it isn’t always easy to see Clouded Leopards, Harry and Ping, either. Monday was International Clouded Leopard Day and zookeepers noted on Facebook that the cross-country move that brought them to Great Bend in 2023 was stressful for the leopards. “But our animal care and veterinary staff have put in countless hours, blood, sweat and tears into making them comfortable and healthy. These two have amazing connections with our staff and all the effort has been worth it. Originally on loan from another facility, we recently took over ownership this summer so we can make all the best decisions for their care.”
Fencing
“Right now we are working on replacing the wooden fencing around the bear and bison enclosures,” Burdick said. The bears could be seen watching, or as Burdick said, “supervising” from their enclosure on Tuesday. “Portions of those exhibits may be closed off for 2-3 days as we work our way around. Unfortunately, the wooden fencing used in that area has not held up over time, so we are replacing it with metal fencing. We recently finished replacing all the old wooden fencing on the other half of the zoo. This new fencing is going to last a very long time and it also is easier for those in wheelchairs and children walking or in strollers to see the animals.”
Sidewalks
A new sidewalk was added recently to connect the Bill McKown Gazebo to the main path as well as a path across from there to the North American portion of the zoo. “This makes it more accessible for all our visitors to get around the zoo,” Burdick said.
Red-Tail Hawk
About three weeks ago, the zoo acquired Rufus, a Red-tail Hawk. “His previous facility was wanting to retire him and didn’t have space any longer, so we took him in,” Burdick said. He has been placed in the former fox enclosure near the bobcats in the North America portion of the zoo and is settling in well. He has a wing injury that prevented him from being released back to the wild.
