Lake Superior Zoo | Find your WILD side in Duluth, MN! · Web viewSocial Story Social Story – Lake Superior Zoo Page 18 LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN

Social Story

This social story, or visual guide, can help families and groups prepare for their visit to the zoo. This may be especially helpful for visitors with autism or sensory sensitivities. You may want to print this guide and bring it with you on the day of your visit. There are some tips on the last page.

The zoo has different hours in winter than in summer, and some activities are only offered in the summer (e.g., train rides, barn contact yard). This guide is designed to help with a summer visit. Please check our website for hours and admission prices: www.lszooduluth.org.

http://www.lszooduluth.org/

Social Story – Lake Superior Zoo Page 1

I’m going to visit the Lake Superior Zoo!

The zoo is a place where people go to see animals. Sometimes the animals are awake and moving around. Sometimes the animals are hiding or sleeping.

LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN 55807 • www.LSZooDuluth.org


There are important rules at the zoo.

Do not feed the animals. Do not tap on the glass.

Do not chase the animals.

Stay with an adult. Stay on the path.



When I get to the zoo, I will go to the admissions booth. I might have to wait in line for my adult to pay the fee. I will get a map of the zoo.

The people who work at the zoo wear blue or green shirts. They can help me if I have questions.



Each day the zookeepers give different talks about the animals. I can check the schedule to see what talks are happening on the day I visit. I can also check to see when the barnyard will be open.

When I enter the zoo I’m on the upper level. I can sometimes see monkeys. But sometimes they are down below or outside.



I can go outside on a deck to view the tiger from above. I must keep my feet on the ground.

I can walk down the stairs outside.



Or I can go back inside and take the elevator or stairs to the lower level. If I take the stairs to the lower level, I will be greeted by a stuffed tiger and two stuffed jaguars.



On the lower level I will meet a big stuffed brown bear, lots of frogs and a big yellow snake.

There are also tropical fish on the lower level.



There is a room called “Griggs Learning Center” where I might see turtles, rabbits, snakes and insects. A volunteer might have an animal out that I can touch. If so, I will listen to directions on how to touch.

There are parrots in the room that might be noisy.



When I walk outside, I might see the tiger at the window. I might also see rabbits, prairie dogs and owls on my way to the Primate Center.

While I’m outside at the zoo, I might see wild geese. Sometimes they make a mess so I should watch where I step. I’ll give the geese plenty of space so they don’t get upset.



At the Primate Center, I will see monkeys and lemurs. Sometimes they are outside and sometimes they are inside.

The Nocturnal Building is connected to the Primate Center. Nocturnal means animals that are awake at night. This building is dark during the day so the animals are awake and moving around while I visit them. At night, the zookeepers turn the lights on and the animals go to sleep.



In the summer, I might be able to ride the train. The train ride is about 10 minutes long. I will not get off the train until it stops.

In the summer, the barnyard might be open so I can go inside the gate and meet the animals. An adult will teach me how to touch the animals in a nice way that they like. Sometimes the sheep and goats hide when they don’t feel like being touched.



I can visit the chickens. I might see a peacock or a duck.

I can walk across a bridge.



I can walk up a hill to visit the snow leopard and lynx.

I can walk down a hill to the playground.



As I walk to the other side of the zoo, I can look at the creek and flowers along the way.

On this side of the zoo, I can see lions, a great horned owl and an eagle. I might also see a waterfall.



When I get to the Australia Building, I might see a kangaroo or wallaby in the grass.

Sometimes the Australia Building has a strong smell. I can plug my nose so it doesn’t smell so strong.



In the Australia building I might see marsupials. Marsupials are furry animals that keep their babies in a pouch. I might also see lizards, turtles, and birds.

When I get back to the main building, I can look for the tiger again. I might see a snapping turtle and gila monsters. They aren’t really monsters – they’re lizards.



When I’m back upstairs, I can visit the gift shop or café before I leave.



Tips for Caregivers:

1. The zoo is less crowded on weekdays and during the fall and winter. 2. In summer, the animals are more active on cool, cloudy days and around

zoo opening and closing. 3. If the zoo is having a special event with large crowds, it will be on our

calendar: https://lszooduluth.org/events/4. You are welcome to bring your own stroller or wheelchair. If you need to

rent one you can do so at the admissions booth when you arrive. 5. Pets are not allowed. Service animals must be checked in at admissions

prior to entry.6. The restrooms in the lower level of the main building have automatic flush

toilets. The restrooms upstairs and in the Primate Center do not.7. The train, butterfly house, barnyard, and café close seasonally. You can call

after 9:30 a.m. to see if these will be open on the day you visit: 218-730-4500 x200.

8. The zookeeper talk schedule can be found online: https://lszooduluth.org/events/

9. No bikes, scooters, heelys, skates, or balloons are allowed on zoo grounds. 10.Smoking is not allowed on zoo grounds. Smoking is allowed in Fairmount

Park, next to the parking lot.


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Lake Superior Zoo | Find your WILD side in Duluth, MN! · Web viewSocial Story Social Story – Lake Superior Zoo Page 18 LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO • 7210 Fremont Street • Duluth, MN