Upstater Destinations: Trevor Zoo, Millbrook

  |  September 6, 2012

Trevor Zoo, Millbrook School

 The new school year has started for most of us living in the Upstater area, and for some, the chaotic atmosphere of the first day of class might seem like a zoo. But at the Millbrook School in Dutchess County, every day is a zoo…because they have an actual zoo there.

Established in 1936 by Frank Trevor, Millbrook School’s first Biology teacher, the Trevor Zoo is truly unique, as it is the only zoo in the country situated inside of a high school. But if you’re thinking of a zoo packed with sad animals in too-small cages, think again. The Trevor Zoo not only teaches Millbrook students and the visiting public about wildlife conservation and stewardship, the zoo also has an extensive veterinary clinic  and is home to both rehabilitated animals and seven different endangered species.

Cyril, a red panda, is one of Trevor Zoo’s many four-legged residents.

But first and foremost, the Trevor Zoo is a learning zoo for the students of Millbrook School. Around 40 students work at the zoo and handle a variety of zoo management responsibilities, from scooping the poop to exhibit creation. The zoo’s education doesn’t end with the 180 animals that call Trevor home. Environmental issues are explored in the Conservation Action Center, which focuses on bringing awareness to climate change, biodiversity, and pollution prevention, among others.

The Trevor Zoo is open to the public from 8:30 to 5:30, every day of the year. Admission is cheap for a day spent with the creatures, just $5 for adults and $3 for kids under 12. For more information, look here on their website. They even have a live video feed, which is currently trained on the zoo’s six new red wolf pups and their mother, Luna.

Millbrook School students and their slinky friend.

GMAP

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

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