The Belle Isle Zoo in Detroit, which closed over 20 years ago, still exists today, although it has been heavily covered in graffiti and subjected to vandalism.
The Belle Isle Zoo in Detroit, which closed over 20 years ago, still exists today, although it has been heavily covered in graffiti and subjected to vandalism.
Initially opening its doors in 1895 with a modest collection of deer and bears, the zoo expanded rapidly, occupying 15 acres within a few years. Its inhabitants included various animals, such as 30 deer, four prairie dogs, four owls, five eagles, and three wild turkeys.
In 1947, the Belle Isle Children’s Zoo was established, featuring exhibits based on nursery rhymes. However, due to high maintenance costs, it ceased operations in 1956. Efforts to revitalize the zoo began in 1976 when the city of Detroit sold $1.5 million in bonds for its reconstruction. Renovation work commenced in 1978, culminating in the zoo’s rededication on May 30, 1980, followed by its public reopening the next day. The newly revamped facility, spanning 25 acres and costing $4.5 million, was built on the former grounds of the Belle Isle Children’s Zoo. It featured elevated walkways winding through trees and across ponds, connecting naturalized exhibits and rustic buildings reminiscent of African huts—a significant departure from the former zoo’s concrete floors and metal cages.
Despite its initial success, Belle Isle Zoo struggled to compete with the larger and better-funded Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. Attendance dwindled over the years, and due to the city’s substantial budget deficit, Belle Isle Zoo closed for the 2002 season. Subsequently, the Detroit Zoological Institute established the smaller Belle Isle Nature Zoo nearby in 2005.
