The Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum in Sioux Falls is home to 1,000 animals — from asian cats and anteaters to striped skunks and zebras. And it’s open year-round.
Tommie Fantine Lauer took these photos last September. Lauer was born in Sioux Falls and currently lives in Greensboro, North Carolina. She makes Lennox her home when visiting South Dakota. You may view more of her photos here.
Bear Country USA offers intimate views of black bear, elk, reindeer, deer, cougars, bobcats, rocky mountain goats, bighorn sheep, dall sheep and buffalo. Jan Nickelson shared these photos taken last summer in Rapid City.
Reptile Gardens near Rapid City houses some of the world’s deadliest snakes, most exotic birds and even a modern-day dragon. Still, old Methuselah, the 600-pound Galapagos tortoise, was a favorite amongst visitors. Methuselah died this week at the ripe old age of 130. Folks at Reptile Gardens are planning a tribute in the near future for their old friend. Photos by Joe Maierhauser, Earl Brockelsby and Chad Coppess from S.D. Tourism.
