Roscommon Zoo

About Roscommon Zoo

Roscommon Zoo is a family-owned and family-operated zoo and petting zoo at 6327 N M-18, Roscommon, Michigan. The zoo's website places it in Crawford County, 5.5 miles northeast of downtown Roscommon on M-18, in South Branch Township; Wikipedia also places it in South Branch Township, just east of the village of Roscommon. The property covers 20 acres. The zoo is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The zoo's website describes its grounds as home to native and non-native exotic animals as well as domestic farm animals. Wikipedia and a 2020 report from 9and10 News both put the total at more than 120 domestic and exotic animals. The website says that many of its animals have been highly socialized, which it presents as the basis for interactive experiences between visitors and animals.

Hand feeding is a central part of a visit. The zoo's admission page says that, because of the interactive nature of the zoo, specialized animal feed is sold in its gift shop, and outside animal feed is banned under a zero-tolerance rule.

History

Wikipedia's article on the zoo is a short stub and gives no founding date or timeline. The fullest account in the sources read comes from a June 2016 report by 9and10 News. It said the facility had operated for 13 years, previously as Cindy Lou's Petting Zoo, before the Gehringer family took over. Andrew Gehringer, with his wife and daughter, had taken over about a year before that report. In the report Gehringer described it as "a very interactive, hands on, small, quaint little zoo," and said children leave with a greater appreciation of animals because they can touch them.

A second 9and10 News report, from June 2020, said the zoo had opened its gates for the season two weeks later than planned because of coronavirus-related shortages of materials and labor. It named Andrew Gehringer as the owner and gave the figure of more than 120 domestic and exotic animals. The zoo asked visitors to sanitize before and after their visit, and masks were not required.

Exhibits and habitats

The zoo's website does not publish a species list or a map of named exhibit areas. It describes a combined zoo and petting zoo with a mix of exotic animals and domestic farm animals, and its rules mention animals that may be free ranging on the grounds.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, the zoo keeps fall hours on weekends through September and October, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission one hour before closing. The website lists specific open weekends and notes that dates and times are weather permitting, asking visitors to call ahead in excessive heat or cold or in wet weather.

Ticket categories on the zoo's website are adults 16 and older; seniors 65 and older, veterans and active military; children 2 to 15; and children under 2, who are free. A group rate applies to parties of at least 10 people who are all present, and individual and family season passes are offered. The website says all major credit cards are accepted with a processing fee. Current prices are on the zoo's website.

The zoo's rules ask visitors not to tease, chase or harass animals, not to climb on or shake fencing and gates, and to use only the approved method when hand feeding. Children 16 and under must be with a responsible adult at all times. Alcohol and smoking are not allowed, and visitors are asked to sanitize their hands after feeding and petting animals. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted; service animals that qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act are allowed, and the rules say they must be at least 12 months old and under the handler's control.

The phone number is 989-275-4500.