Wedged in between Caledonia and the upper outer reaches of Hamilton is The Killman Zoo. An ironically named, farmlike spot where Sharkboy and I bravely decided to stop on our way back from camping this weekend.
I say “bravely” because the approach to Killman Zoo is much like the opening scene of Texas Chainsaw Massacre: you exit highway 6 on a long deserted country road, leading to a house set back behind high hedges and discarded farm equipment, hand-painted signs shakey neon colours, and the ever ominous shack that doubled as gift shop and entrance. Behind the counter was a lanky man who was a tad bit wild eyed in his welcome. As soon as I saw a mother and 2 kids signing up for a tour, I felt a bit better.
We ventured into the zoo with our tin full of peanuts and after a few initial shocks that zoos always give me I decided that I was glad we made the stop. At just under $30 entrance fee (two adults, a tin of peanuts for feeding plus taxes), you’ll never be closer to a lion or a bear or goat. Safe? The wire cages certainly looked solid. And the animals looked well fed so I doubt that they would have lunged at you in hunger. Not to mention the over abundance of signage warning you of missing fingers and the distance lynx pee can travel.
Humane? Probably not. The cages aren’t the Metro Zoo in Toronto, that’s for sure. I did feel a pang of sadness to see some of the big cats acting a bit squirrelly. And I wondered how these animals were stored in the winter. The land the zoo was on was vast and rolling and we only got glimpses of shacks and barns that held these poor creatures. The owner assured us that they were well kept and in some cases were sent out to stud at other zoos. Still, I wondered if they were “happy” in an animal sense.
Either way, you’ll not get any closer to an African lion or tiger in your lifetime (unless you go to Africa and get eaten by one). If I wanted to, I am pretty sure I could have touched that panting, docile male lion.
If you go, take some freezer-burnt meat and/or that wad of Canadian Tire money that’s just lying around. They gladly accept donations.
7 thoughts on “Killman Zoo”
Why thank you! Here’s a cute one of you
The Bear sign is a verrrry cute picture.
I hate to see any animal in a cage, but at least they’re being taken care of, and not being hunted for traditional chinese medicine or something.
Caledonia, Ontario. Home of the biggest land dispute between lower middle class whites and aboriginal Indians. We drive through after camping in hopes to see some REAL animal action.
Caledonia, Michigan?
Joe-Cat just smacks me on the face when she feels I’m not communicating well!
I can’t do zoos or humane societies or pet stores…its the Bambi syndrom, provoked by bad experience watching the movie as a very very wee grrl…I could only skim your entry. I can’t watch the vet squeeze the dog’s anal gland or clip his nails, although my vet always tells me he LOVES the gland squeeze!
Bowmanville Zoo would be the Holt Renfrew of zoos compared to Killman. Their minders have uniforms!
Don’t cats communicate by pee? I get a weird boost of pleasure when I see them mark car tires.
Sounds a bit like the Bowmanville zoo. Funny that you would mention lynx pee, because I got hit by lion pee. When I got home, my cats looked at me *very* suspiciously.