Donna Nelson uses clippers to remove a section of this chain-link fence in order to salvage old, large equipment from inside, at the Micke Grove Zoo in Lodi on Monday morning. (Angelina Gervasi/News-Sentinel)

Makeover gets underway at Micke Grove Zoo

New snow leopards, small-clawed otters and Eurasian eagle owls are coming to Micke Grove Zoo and will be moving into brand new digs.

The county park has kicked off its long-anticipated East End Project. Demolition by Lodi's Ford Construction started Monday to make room for a state-of-the art immersion exhibit.

The five original animal cages will be replaced in the next two and a half years with interactive interpretive components illustrating the critical connection between water and life. Additional aspects could include a waterfall patrons can walk under and information about conserving the natural resource of water.

"The concept has been rolling for about three years," Dave Beadles, county parks administrator, said of the project.

Since then, funding has been raised and the project construction worked out between the county and the Micke Grove Zoological Society. Members are looking for an architect now.

For demolition of exhibits at the east end of the park, the displaced animals were relocated within the zoo making them still available for public viewing.

Micke Grove Regional Park, located at 11793 N. Micke Grove Road, is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Park admission is $3 per car on weekdays and $5 per car on weekends and holidays. Zoo admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children, age 3-17 years old, and those under age 2 are free.

Art Head, right, and Ryan Tetz salvage boards from inside an old bird cage at the Micke Grove Zoo in Lodi on Monday morning. (Angelina Gervasi/News-Sentinel)

First published: Tuesday, March 7, 2006