Safari tour in Brainerd has 140 species of animals from all over the world
This Minnesota park features animals from all over the world
This Minnesota park features animals from all over the world
This Minnesota park features animals from all over the world
At Safari North Wildlife Park in Brainerd, Minnesota, you can see animals from all around the world.
Growing up in southern Minnesota, Kevin Vogel developed a love for animals by watching nature shows. Then, for 20 years, he and his family had a traveling zoo. But in 2014, they found a permanent home in Brainerd.
"We started with 45 to 50 species here at the zoo, and now we've got well over 130, 140 different species of animals and birds here," said Vogel.
There are lions, tigers and bears — even sloth bears from India.
"They have big claws and when they climb trees it looks like a sloth hanging," said Vogel.
There's also a flock of flamingoes, 41 Florida alligators, three new jaguar cubs and an anteater. She's the newest addition and she likes yogurt more than she likes ants.
The tallest giraffe on site is Jigsaw. He's 10 years old and 15 feet tall, and he loves when people feed him.
But what really sets this zoo apart is its safari.
"It's about a 10-acre train ride. It lasts 15 to 18 minutes and it's fully narrated," said Vogel.
This is a chance to get up close and personal with the wildlife. Many of the animals you find on this safari are native to Africa. But here you have to separate the hyenas from the zebras, or there could be problems.
Kevin says most of what you discover, has come from other zoos. Even before an animal arrives, Safari North does research on how best to care for the new arrival and what they like to eat. Feed costs get expensive, but it's worth it.
It's a chance for all ages to experience a big part of the animal kingdom, right here in Minnesota.
"I just want them to really walk away with a very good experience and an appreciation for a love for nature and the animals we share it with," said Vogel.
Safari North sits on a 43 acres site and its open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day from Mother's Day into October.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
See the McGhee Tyson Airport sinkhole causing roadway closure, and plan for delays
McGhee Tyson Airport is working to restore normal travel on Airport Loop Road after discovering a sinkhole on the back side of the parking garage June 12. The Knoxville airport has closed part of the road indefinitely as construction crews work to fill the hole. The airport is working on alternate routes for travelers. The sinkhole formed around 6:30 p.m. where the former rental car return and Phone and Wait lot were located. These amenities were removed from the area as part of an airport construction project, said Becky Huckaby, the airport's vice president of human relations. The sinkhole has not damaged or altered the front curbs of the terminal where cars arrive to pick up and drop off travelers, Huckaby said. "We are working on an alternative route and have stationed people throughout the airport to help people navigate the roadway," she told Knox News. Alternative routes will be implemented for motorists leaving and arriving at the airport. Huckaby said the airport will share the routes on social media and on the airport's website, McGhee Tyson is recommending travelers arrive three hours prior to their flight. Because it's peak travel season, the airport already was suggesting prior to the sinkhole that travelers arrive two hours early. "This is just going to add time," she said. "That's the most that it would need. But as soon as the alternative routes are put into place, that's just in the near future." The airport announced the sinkhole in a Thursday evening post to Facebook, where it will continue to share updates as the situation develops. Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: McGhee Tyson sinkhole may delay travel nearing Knoxville, TN airport
Travel Weekly
4 hours ago
- Travel Weekly
Travel groups respond to Trump's travel ban on 12 countries
ASTA on June 5 warned that travel bans like the one President Trump will enact next week send a "ripple effect" through the economy and negatively impact travel. Citing concerns about national security, President Trump on June 4 issued an order banning citizens from 12 countries from entering the U.S. and restricting visitors from seven more. The ban takes effect June 9 at 12:01 a.m. The executive order, which primarily targets nations in Africa and the Middle East, reprises the travel ban concept from Trump's first term. And it makes good on an order signed by Trump in January at the start of his second term that directed federal agencies to look for countries that might present a security threat to the U.S. The ban applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, although there are a handful of carveouts for citizens with dual citizenship or legal residency in the U.S., some athletes, some refugees and some people who have worked for the U.S. government. It also restricts entry for travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela who do not hold a valid visa. In this most recent order, Trump said its purpose was to protect U.S. citizens "from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes." ASTA's response to the travel ban In response to the ban, ASTA CEO Zane Kerby said while it understands the administration's concerns, such travel bans to tend adversely impact travel. "Safe, secure and open travel are foundational to our world," Kerby said. "When governments impose restrictions that limit access and movement, it doesn't simply affect individual travelers -- it sends a ripple effect through global commerce, frays diplomatic relations and, most importantly, opposes the very spirit of what travel represents. "We encourage policymakers to seek solutions that balance security with the fundamental rewards of travel: understanding, exchange and economic growth." Kerby also said that ASTA recognized that overstaying visas and vetting citizens was a problem and hoped the countries involved in the travel ban work with the U.S. to address those concerns so that travel can resume. The executive order specifies that factors considered in applying the ban include visa-overstay rates; those countries' terrorist presence within its territory; screening and vetting capabilities; information sharing policies; and cooperation accepting back its removable nationals. U.S. Travel chimes in On Friday, the U.S. Travel Association said that the travel industry "supports policies that make the United States both secure and welcoming." "In some instances, this is a challenging balance to achieve, and we respect the administration's efforts," it added. "While the countries currently affected by the recent policy announcement represent 0.5% of annual visitors, we are focused on driving millions of new visitors and strengthening our economy by solving longtime shortcomings with visas, customs, and an outdated air traffic control system. U.S. Travel has previously said that any restrictions on travel should come with a message of welcome. "It is vital to balance any discussions on potential travel restrictions through the lens of both national security and preserving America's reputation as a welcoming destination," a U.S. Travel spokesperson said in January. "Policies that potentially restrain visitation should be temporary and focused solely on ensuring security while minimizing disruption to lawful travel." This report, with updated information, replaces a previous report by the Associated Press, which can be found here. It was updated June 6 with a statement from the U.S. Travel Association.
Associated Press
5 hours ago
- Associated Press
CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC TO HOLD CONFERENCE CALL ON SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS
MIAMI, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) has scheduled a conference call with analysts for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. (EDT); 3 p.m. (BST) to discuss the company's second quarter financial results which are expected to be released that morning. A simulcast of the call will be available via the company's websites at and About Carnival Corporation & plc Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn. For more information, please visit and To learn more about Carnival Corporation's purpose and our positive impact worldwide on people and the planet, go to View original content: SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc
