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A new wolf exhibit for Bramble Park Zoo is another step closer to being built after the Watertown City Council approved a resolution seeking bids for the project at its regular meeting Monday evening.
The council also approved accepting a donation of $431,431.94 from the Watertown Zoological Society to help fund the new exhibit. Last year, the council OK’d $300,000 in city funds to help with the project.
Titan, Bramble Park Zoo’s beloved wolf, passed away in January. When the zoo acquires new wolves, they will be living in new digs. Bramble Park Zoo photo.
Dusty Rodiek, director of the Watertown Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, told the council members: “When we originally requested this in the 2024 budget, we knew that the project was going to cost more than $300,000. At that time, it was as much of a challenge to the Zoological Society to raise the additional funds, and they have come through with flying colors. Not only them, but all the donations from individuals and businesses, as well.”
The project involves a complete renovation of the exhibit, including running appropriate utilities to a new wolf building, upgrading the fencing around the area to proper standards, and a new visitor viewing area.
“The wolf exhibit is one of the more popular exhibits at the zoo,” Rodiek said, “and I just wanted to highlight the fundraising effort of LAZS, which represents roughly 60 percent of the total cost.”
Zoo Director Stacy Plocher told council members about the new wolf exhibit.
“A big part of this is to make our staff more efficient,” she said. “Currently, cleaning the wolf yard takes two people, because we can’t lock the wolves in. With this, we can lock them in and have one keeper can go in and do any kind of yard maintenance we need. That will save us quite a bit of staff time.”
She said the zoo hopes to make everything more efficient across the board with the new building, so it should cost less to operate than the old facility.
Councilman Mike Danforth asked Plocher if the wolf facility was one of the issues that caused the zoo to lose its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
She said it was not.
“The members of the accreditation team did not look at the wolf exhibit, because they knew the zoo was planning to build a new exhibit. But the new facility would be reviewed by AZA before the zoo gets accredited again,” Plocher said.
Bramble Park Zoo currently has no wolves after its last surviving wolf, named Titan, died in late January. At 12 years old, the wolf lived well beyond the average life expectancy of 6 to 8 years for wolves in the wild, which zoo officials say is a testament to the exceptional care he received at the zoo.
Titan was considered an icon at the zoo.
“His leadership and playful spirit left a lasting impact on all who met him,” said a press release issued by the city after Titan’s death. “He’ll be deeply missed by our staff and visitors alike.”
After the public portion of the meeting, the council met in an executive session, but no action was taken afterward.
In other action, the Watertown City Council:
- Approved a Pyrotechnics or Open Flame Permit Application for a fireworks display by Lew’s Fireworks on March 17 at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena. The outdoor display is being held in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day and the Watertown Shamrocks game against the Aberdeen Wings. The puck drops at 7 p.m. with the display taking place either before or after the game.
- Heard the first reading of proposed changes to the Commercial Lake District Zoning text. Since it was the first reading, no action was taken.
- Approved a supplement to the budget for $69,377 to purchase a new 10,000-gallon aviation fuel tank at Watertown Regional Airport. The new tank would replace one that was badly damaged by a small explosion while it was being filled on Thursday, Feb. 20. An insurance claim on the new tank won’t be immediately available, and the new tank is needed now.
An artist’s rendering of the new wolf exhibit to be built at Bramble Park Zoo. Courtesy photo.
