Wildwood Park & Zoo

06/13/2026

It’s National Golf Cart Day! Keeper Josh is off to do the afternoon feeding rounds at the zoo!

06/11/2026

We at the zoo are actively looking for Violet. Earlier this week, she escaped from her habitat. She is de-scented and up to date on all of her shots, including rabies. If anyone happens to see her, please keep her in sight and call Marshfield Police Dispatch at 715-387-4394. Please do not approach her or attempt to pick her up. She is still a wild animal, even though she is used to people. See the full press release https://cityofmarshfieldwi.gov/news_detail_T58_R890.php

06/11/2026

Wildwood Zoo Seeks Public Assistance Following Escape of Striped Skunk

Wildwood Zoo staff are actively working to locate Violet. Wildwood Zoo staff are actively working to locate Violet, one of the zoo's resident striped skunks, after she escaped from her habitat earlier this week.

Violet has called Wildwood Zoo home for the past two years, and her exhibit has successfully housed her throughout that time. The enclosure itself has a long history of safely containing a variety of species, including mountain lions in years past, and more recently, both skunks and porcupines. At this time, we believe a combination of this year's flash flooding and heavy snowfall may have deteriorated a portion of the exhibit's foundation, creating an opening through which Violet was able to escape.

It is also important to note that the striped skunk mating season has just begun. While we cannot say with certainty whether this played a role in Violet's behavior, seasonal changes can influence animal activity. Intact male skunks travel cross-country, traveling several miles a night in search of females.

Violet is not considered a dangerous animal. She has been descented, up to date with her rabies shot, and was raised in human care her entire life, and is accustomed to the routines of a zoological setting. While she is unlikely to approach people, she may also choose not to flee immediately if encountered. Despite her familiarity with people, she remains an animal and should never be approached or handled.

Zoo staff have begun trapping operations and will continue search efforts for the foreseeable future. We are asking members of the public to report any sightings of skunks that appear unusually calm or out of place. If you believe you have seen Violet, please contact Marshfield dispatch at 715-387-4394 immediately with the location and try to keep a visual on the skunk. Please do not attempt to capture or approach any skunk encountered in the wild.

Wildwood Zoo remains committed to being transparent with our community. We understand that incidents like this can raise concerns, and we will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. In the meantime, we appreciate the public's patience, understanding, and assistance as we work to safely bring Violet home

Marshfield Police Dispatch: 715-387-4394.

See full article: https://app.govoutreach.com/marshfieldcitywi/public/notify/posts/5699

06/11/2026

It’s International Lynx Day! Odin is feeling kind of sassy getting all this attention this month - but he’s totally deserving! Stop by and wish him a happy Lynx Day.

City of Marshfield

06/10/2026

🐸🐢 Wild Wednesday!🐍👍

Join us today for a Wild Wednesdays program with David Stokes! These free programs are held at Wildwood Station at 11:00a and 1:00p rain or shine. They last approximately 45 minutes and are enjoyable for all ages! A huge thank you to Wildwood Zoo Society for their sponsorship and support of these programs!

Come learn with David and his live frogs, turtles, snakes and a couple of surprises. Along with animal artifacts, songs, and short stories. He makes learning fun!


Marshfield Parks and Recreation
City of Marshfield

06/09/2026

Where are the foxes? 🦊

Now that the days are warmer and longer, you may not spot both of the foxes.
This is because red foxes are excellent diggers and like to often hide in their burrows when it’s hot outside.
They can cool off and take a nap and come out around closing time to be a bit more active.

Felix is definitely ready for a nap! 😴

06/08/2026

🦎Get ready for some fun and learning, Wild Wednesdays begins this week! 🦉

Free programs: 11am & 1pm at Wildwood Station.

06/04/2026

We are saddened by the loss of one of our aoudads at the zoo. Animals become an important part of our zoo family, and this loss is felt by our staff and many visitors who enjoyed visiting with Rainer.

Wildwood Zoo Announces the Loss of Aoudad Ewe “Rainer”

It is with great sadness that Wildwood Zoo announces the passing of one of our aoudad sheep, Rainer, following an unforeseen accident during veterinary preparations. As an institution dedicated to transparency and the highest standards of animal care, we believe it is important to share both our successes and our losses with the community that supports us.

Rainer was part of our young aoudad herd and had adapted exceptionally well to life at Wildwood Zoo. This past winter, the herd thrived despite significant snowfall, successfully navigating and utilizing their rocky habitat throughout the season. We selected aoudads for this exhibit because they are a hardy, long-lived mountain species, well-suited to occupying the habitat's rugged terrain.

For all practical purposes, Rainer is a wild prey species with strong instinctual flight responses. While our animal care team continuously worked to build trust and reduce stress, these natural instincts remained a significant factor in her management.

During preparations for a routine veterinary procedure, Rainer became frightened and reacted as prey animals often do when stressed. In an attempt to flee, she collided with a fence at high speed. Following an immediate examination by veterinary staff, it became apparent that she had sustained a catastrophic cervical injury and had broken her neck. The injury was not survivable.

While heartbreaking, incidents like this represent one of the leading causes of accidental mortality among hoof stock species in zoological settings. Large prey animals such as sheep, antelope, deer, and other hoofed mammals have evolved to rely on rapid flight responses when they perceive danger. Even under professional management and veterinary supervision, these instincts can occasionally lead to tragic accidents despite extensive precautions.

The procedure Rainer was being prepared for was part of our ongoing commitment to preventative healthcare. Hoof care is especially important for mountain and cliff-dwelling species such as aoudads. In the wild, constant travel across abrasive rock surfaces naturally wears their hooves. Under human care, regular hoof evaluations and maintenance help prevent overgrowth, discomfort, mobility issues, joint problems, and other health concerns that can significantly impact an animal's quality of life.

Although this loss is difficult for everyone, it does not diminish the importance of preventative veterinary medicine. Responsible animal management requires routine health examinations, hoof care, vaccinations, diagnostics, and other procedures designed to ensure animals live long, healthy lives.

Our animal care and veterinary team is deeply saddened by the loss of Rainer. She will be remembered as a resilient and unique member of our herd whose wild spirit reflected the remarkable adaptations that allow aoudads to survive in some of the world's most challenging environments.

We appreciate the support and understanding of our community as we continue our mission to provide exceptional care for animals.

See full article: https://app.govoutreach.com/marshfieldcitywi/public/notify/posts/5572

06/04/2026

It’s National Hug Your Cat Day! Odin wants to know who you would rather hug - him, or Elsa!

City of Marshfield

06/03/2026

So lucky to live in the same world as Malakai ❤️