Garden City Zoo Prepares For Winter

Winter’s at the doorstep, and workers at Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City are ready to meet the cold-weather needs of every animal — from tropical birds to snow leopards.

Preparations began months ago to ensure heaters are functioning, vents are closed and windows and doors don’t let in drafts.

The zoo has barns and shelters for all of its 250 to 300 animals. But some animals that aren’t expected to warm up to snow are happy to be outside after a snowfall.

Animal keeper Sara Niemczyk says the zoo’s African lions like to go outside and play in the snow. The weather has to be pretty terrible, she says, for the big cats to stay inside.