GarLyn Zoo

Wanting to see wildlife—especially carnivores like wolves and big mammals like bear and moose—seems to be something almost hard-wired into vacationing Americans when they come north of the 45th parallel. GarLyn gives you a good look at all the well-known animals of Michigan's north woods except the moose—with non-native bison and alligator thrown in for extra glamor. (Michigan may be the Wolverine State, but wolverines were hardly ever found in Michigan!) Plan on from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours to visit GarLyn Zoo.
Children can feed sikka and whitetail deer, llama, sheep, goats, ducks, and chickens. Pheasants, ducks, African guinea hens, chickens, and peafowl roam around the grounds.

Cougar like two-year-old Zeke here are now thought to roam the U.P. The cats can grow to 200 lbs.

For most people, visiting this small zoo is a pleasant experience. (Of course it smells.) It could make a good travel break for families making a long drive across U.S. 2, and for anyone with an interest in animals. The enclosures are on 10 acres of mostly shady pine and birch forest, back on a drive, away from the highway. Woodchip paths wind through the area. The animals seem relaxed yet alert; only a wolf was pacing on our visit.

The gift shop (above) and zoo are tucked in a shady forest of cedars and pines.

Many wild animals at GarLyn are rescues—orphaned animals, or injured so they could no longer live in the wild, or adopted from owners who could no longer care for their pets. Some are excess animals from zoos. The bears, wolves, coyotes, whitetail deer, bison, skunks, porcupine, tortoise, alligators, and foxes were all rescued. Some animals were purchased from breeders. There's a cougar for people who want to watch that controversial animal. Some animals were Gary and Lynn Moore's pet domestic animals: pygmy goats, potbellied pigs, and sikka deer. They already had quite a menagerie before they took the big step of selling their house in St. Clair (near Port
Huron) in 1993 and starting to work on developing the zoo. The Moores were familiar with Naubinway because Lynn's parents had spent summers here.

This 400+ lb. American bear, born in captivity, is now 13 years old.

For books and gifts about animals and nature, the zoo's excellent gift shop is the equal of many a gift shop in an urban zoo. High-quality Safari plastic animals encourage play related to wildlife and the natural world. Gary and Lynn are good at fielding questions about the animals, if time permits.

The fine GarLyn web site, garlynzoo.com, has lots of goodies, starting with special offers for visiting the zoo. Gary does it all himself. He's self-taught on computers, and in winter he has lots of time to learn and work on the site. It has notes on many animals at the zoo, video clips of wolves, cougar, coyote, black bear, deer, river otter, and wallabies. A 360° panorama gives a good idea of the zoo's woodsy setting and intimate scale. You can print out coloring pages of animals, and get tips for photographing zoo animals.

On U.S. 2 just east of Naubinway, 38 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge. (906) 477-1085. Open daily March thru Nov. From April thru Sept open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Oct and Nov closes at 5. $9/adult, $8 kids 3-16, 2 & under free. Families of up to 6: $30. Family pass for up to 6 people: $75. Wheelchair-accessible. Assistance required on some slopes.
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