FOR THE CHILDREN: Children of special guests, employees of Kansas City and the Kansas City Zoo crowd around the ribbon and the railing for the new Endangered Species Carousel at the Kansas City Zoo. Parks Board member Bob Lewellen, left, and Bob Regnier, president of Blue Valley Bank and chief donor, cut the ribbon to open the ride. The ride will be $2 per person.
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Endangered Species Carousel now open at Kansas City Zoo
BY: Kellie Houx, Staff Writer
The Kansas City Zoo debuted the Endangered Species Carousel May 24.
Thirty-six, hand-carved wooden animals grace the carousel and most depict an endangered species, many of them on exhibit at the zoo.
“Either we tied the animals to those on the endangered species list or we have the animals featured on the carousel at the zoo,” Director Randy Wisthoff said.
The carousel also features area mascots, an idea Wisthoff got from Binder Park Zoo President Greg Geise. Geise chose that zoo's carousel animals to honor universities around Battle Creek, Mich.
“Greg seemed like he had tapped into something trendy so I thought it would be great to honor our teams,” said Wisthoff, who has been at the Kansas City Zoo about three years. “When I got here, I noticed the rivalry, but I also noticed the support. Now we have the teams together on the carousel.”
The carousel has a University of Missouri Tiger, a University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroo, and a Kansas State University Wildcat. Because Jayhawks do not exist in the animal kingdom, Wisthoff put the University of Kansas logos and shield on a gray carousel horse.
“The carousel has local flavor,” he said.
A lion features a Kansas City Royals logo since the Royals team mascot, Sluggerrr, is a lion.
Other animals include a rhino, hippo, chimpanzee, cheetah, koala and dart frog. One critter is a capybara, one of the animals that will be part of the tropics display opening next year.
The carousel, made by Carousel Works, Mansfield, Ohio, is adjacent to the lorikeet exhibit, just off the new promenade that runs through the center of the zoo. Rides are $2 per person.
“We plan to do some further educational work with the carousel,” Wisthoff said. “We are also looking at the possibility of creating a baseball card-type card that depicts the carousel animal and, on the back, have facts about the real animals as a way to talk about animals threatened in the wild.”
Wisthoff said building awareness of global conservation fits the zoo's mission.
“It also fits that we can look for new and different ways to gain additional revenue,” he said. “I did not budget for $3.50 a gallon for gas, but we have a vehicle fleet and trams to operate. Zoo budgets are always strained, but having a beautiful, colorful way to bring in a few extra dollars, we will embrace it.
“I still believe we are affordable entertainment for the metropolitan area and beyond. We still have free parking and people can bring in their coolers with lunches.”
Parks Board member Bob Lewellen, south Kansas City, said he traveled to several zoos that featured carousels and approached Wisthoff about the possible addition.
“Bob never gave up, especially with all his enthusiasm,” Wisthoff said.
“We hope the carousel will be a popular contribution to the zoo,” Lewellyn said.
Bob Regnier, Leawood, Bank of Blue Valley president, and his siblings served as chief donors for the carousel through the Victor and Helen Regnier Family Foundation.
“I don't have to go far to work each day in Johnson County, but I am coming to learn that the Kansas City Zoo is the metropolitan zoo and one we should be proud of,” Regnier said.
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Thirty-six, hand-carved wooden animals grace the carousel and most depict an endangered species, many of them on exhibit at the zoo.
“Either we tied the animals to those on the endangered species list or we have the animals featured on the carousel at the zoo,” Director Randy Wisthoff said.
The carousel also features area mascots, an idea Wisthoff got from Binder Park Zoo President Greg Geise. Geise chose that zoo's carousel animals to honor universities around Battle Creek, Mich.
“Greg seemed like he had tapped into something trendy so I thought it would be great to honor our teams,” said Wisthoff, who has been at the Kansas City Zoo about three years. “When I got here, I noticed the rivalry, but I also noticed the support. Now we have the teams together on the carousel.”
The carousel has a University of Missouri Tiger, a University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroo, and a Kansas State University Wildcat. Because Jayhawks do not exist in the animal kingdom, Wisthoff put the University of Kansas logos and shield on a gray carousel horse.
“The carousel has local flavor,” he said.
A lion features a Kansas City Royals logo since the Royals team mascot, Sluggerrr, is a lion.
Other animals include a rhino, hippo, chimpanzee, cheetah, koala and dart frog. One critter is a capybara, one of the animals that will be part of the tropics display opening next year.
The carousel, made by Carousel Works, Mansfield, Ohio, is adjacent to the lorikeet exhibit, just off the new promenade that runs through the center of the zoo. Rides are $2 per person.
“We plan to do some further educational work with the carousel,” Wisthoff said. “We are also looking at the possibility of creating a baseball card-type card that depicts the carousel animal and, on the back, have facts about the real animals as a way to talk about animals threatened in the wild.”
Wisthoff said building awareness of global conservation fits the zoo's mission.
“It also fits that we can look for new and different ways to gain additional revenue,” he said. “I did not budget for $3.50 a gallon for gas, but we have a vehicle fleet and trams to operate. Zoo budgets are always strained, but having a beautiful, colorful way to bring in a few extra dollars, we will embrace it.
“I still believe we are affordable entertainment for the metropolitan area and beyond. We still have free parking and people can bring in their coolers with lunches.”
Parks Board member Bob Lewellen, south Kansas City, said he traveled to several zoos that featured carousels and approached Wisthoff about the possible addition.
“Bob never gave up, especially with all his enthusiasm,” Wisthoff said.
“We hope the carousel will be a popular contribution to the zoo,” Lewellyn said.
Bob Regnier, Leawood, Bank of Blue Valley president, and his siblings served as chief donors for the carousel through the Victor and Helen Regnier Family Foundation.
“I don't have to go far to work each day in Johnson County, but I am coming to learn that the Kansas City Zoo is the metropolitan zoo and one we should be proud of,” Regnier said.
Comments on "Endangered Species Carousel now open at Kansas City Zoo"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.Marilyn wrote on Jun 5, 2007 9:26 AM:
" Instead of a picture of people waiting in line to ride the carousel, maybe it would have been a better decision to run a picture of the carousel itself. sigh. "