The 6 most ethical zoos in Michigan

Only six zoos in Michigan have earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums—the facilities ensure animal welfare and well-being are a top priority and make for enjoyable family visits.  

If you’re looking for ethical zoos in Michigan, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a great place to start. Founded in 1971, the AZA grants accreditation based on a strict set of guidelines that zoos and aquariums must meet. Only 10% of all zoos in the entire country are accredited by the AZA, and Michigan has six zoos that have earned the distinction. 

Accreditation standards address everything from animal well-being to the aesthetics of the animal’s environments and enclosures. The AZA also considers safety and guest engagement before awarding accreditation. The accreditation standards are incredibly detailed and outline specifics for animal care, enclosures, feeding, and play, as well as the zoo’s overall plan and operations. They even had sub-categories for zoos that have certain animals, like elephants, with very specific needs. After zoos apply for accreditation, they also have to go through a multiple-day on-site inspection and an in-person hearing in front of the Accreditation Commission before a decision is made. 

With such strict standards, you can count on the fact that any zoo that has earned its accreditation will be an ethical, well-run zoo. Here is a list of the AZA-accredited zoos in Michigan to visit. 

1. Binder Park Zoo

• Location: Battle Creek, Mich.
• Cost: Varies
• Attractions: Wild Africa Trail, giraffe feeding experiences, ziplining, sea lion encounters
• Open: Spring-fall
• Accreditation status: through September 2025

This 433-acre zoo in Battle Creek, Mich., opened in 1977 and is one of the largest zoos in the state (and certainly the largest on our list). If you visit, plan on doing a lot of walking. Or you can take advantage of one of the trams that will transport you around the park. Visitors also appreciate how nice the zoo is to visit on a hot day, as most of the walking trails are shaded to help keep you cool. 

Because the zoo is accredited by the AZA, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the animals are well-cared for, but many glowing reviews speak of how open and roomy the animal’s enclosures are. One reviewer even described the park more as a “grassy nature preserve.” The zoo also houses Species Survival Plan animals, a program the AZA works on through its accredited organizations to “improve the genetics and survivability of threatened and endangered species.”

2. Detroit Zoo

• Location: Royal Oak, Mich.
• Cost: $24 (child)-$27 (adult)
• Attractions: 2,000 animals, giraffe feeding experiences, ziplining, polar bears
• Open: Spring-fall
• Accreditation status: Accredited through September 2027

This zoo’s roots were started in 1911 with the founding of the Detroit Zoological Society. The Society purchased a 100-acre plot of land in Royal Oak and opened the first exhibit, the birdhouse in 1926. That building still stands as an aviary, but the zoo has expanded through the years. 

Today, the non-profit Detroit Zoological Society operates both the Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Center, home to the oldest aquarium in the entire United States (and worth a visit for its beautiful architecture alone!).

At still 100 acres, the zoo is very walkable within a day, even for families with young children (I once walked the whole park at 9 months pregnant, hoping to go into labor—it didn’t work). From the start, the zoo was groundbreaking and innovative in its treatment of animals, especially its enclosures, and that commitment continues today. In 2020, the Detroit Zoo was awarded the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Environmental Sustainability Award. The Detroit Zoo is especially fun to visit for seasonal events, like “Zoo Boo” and its magical winter light display. 

3. John Ball Zoo

• Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Cost: Varies
• Attractions: 2,000 animals, giraffe feeding experiences, ziplining, Red Pandas 
• Open: Spring-fall
• Accreditation status: Accredited through September 2027

Of all the Michigan zoos I’ve visited with my five children, the John Ball Zoo has been my favorite. The grounds are clean, spacious, airy, and shaded, so even visiting in the middle of the summer feels like a retreat. 

The zoo works on conversations on five different continents and has many wildlife conservation efforts for its over 2,000 hosted animals. For instance, the zoo collects rainwater for recycling, uses compostable dinnerware, and has many “living walls” throughout the zoo to create healthy environments. According to the zoo’s history, the John Ball Zoo has endured the test of time, surviving through near-closure during the Great Depression and brought back by dedicated efforts of volunteers and locals. Visiting the zoo is very accessible and doable in a day. If you have any Lego lovers in your family, I recommend visiting during their BrickLive events, when they host giant Lego creations throughout the zoo. My kids enjoyed seeing the Legos just as much as the animals. 

4. Potter Park Zoo

• Location: Lansing, Mich.
• Cost: $5+
• Attractions: 2,000 animals, giraffe feeding experiences, ziplining, 
• Open: Spring-fall
• Accreditation status: Accredited through September 2028

The Potter Park Zoo has a claim to fame as Michigan’s oldest operating zoo, officially opening in 1920. It spans 102 acres and houses 160 species of animals. You can read the Zoo’s master plan, which discusses how the zoo chooses animals based on its natural surroundings and climate and pays special consideration to animals from tropical areas. 

The zoo clearly states that animal well-being and comfort are the leading priorities in all decision-making and planning, and the zoo is also committed to conservation practices within the zoo and beyond. Potter Park Zoo is also the only Michigan zoo open year-round and is one of the more affordable zoos in Michigan, with ticket prices for adults starting at just $5 in the winter months of November through March. 

5. Saginaw Children’s Zoo

• Location: Saginaw, Mich.
• Cost: $8
• Attractions: 2,000 animals, giraffe feeding experiences, ziplining, 
• Open: April-October
• Accreditation status: Accredited through September 2027

The Saginaw Children’s Zoo is small yet mighty, which makes its accreditation status all the more impressive. Encompassing 10 acres, the zoo includes a pond, gardens, a miniature train, and Michigan’s only hand-carved carousel. It participates in three Species Survival Plans (SSP): the North American River Otter, the African Black-footed penguins, and the Cotton-top tamarins. The Saginaw Children’s Zoo is so closely committed to caring for its animals that its more than 150 animals are named by the vets and staff that care for them. 

“The Saginaw Children’s Zoo is among the outstanding aquariums and zoos that have met or exceeded our rigorous accreditation standards,” said AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe said in a press release when the zoo earned accreditation for the third time. 

One of the best parts about the Saginaw Children’s Zoo—other than its commitment to ethical practices, of course—is the unlimited ride wristband. Your kids can nab the pass for only $6 and ride as much as they want all day. As a mom of five kids, this is basically a magical deal in my mind. 

6. SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium

• Location: Auburn Hills, Mich.
• Cost: $20+
• Attractions: Sharks, play structures, indoor entertainment
• Open: Year-round
• Accreditation status: Accredited through March 2028

The SEA Life Michigan Aquarium is a family favorite for my children. It’s conveniently located in the Great Lakes Auburn Hills mall, making it accessible even through Michigan’s long winter months. Despite the fact that we have visited the aquarium several times, I was surprised to find out that the facility had earned AZA accreditation. It makes the aquarium all that more impressive. 

Part of the aquarium’s dedicated efforts include rescued turtles that they care for and ethical animal husbandry with a team of marine biologists. My kids’ favorite parts of the aquarium are the jellyfish exhibits, the sea horses, the touch pool, which lets kids get up close and personal with a starfish, and, of course, the overhead viewing in the shark tunnel. Who knew you could see a shark right here in Michigan? 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.