Mountrail County 4-H Hosts Zoo Experience
The 2025-2026 4-H year started on September 1 and Mountrail County kicked it off in a unique way this year.
Area youth were invited to a Zoo to You project day brought by the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot on Friday, Sept. 5. While spots were limited, this was not only for 4-H members. Open to anyone ages 5 to 18, Mountrail County 4-H welcomed anyone to join in the fun.
The event, held at the Mountrail County South Complex, included hands-on STEM activities on a zoo exhibit to learn about animal habitats and an ambassador animal brought by the Roosevelt Zoo.
Dividing into groups, they were assigned to design and build a habitat for an Amur tiger and consider all the needs that the animal, zookeepers and public would need. Animals need four basic things: water, shelter, food and air. They were asked to consider sleeping accommodations, temperature, how and where the animal lives, noise levels, whether they are solitary animals or live in groups/families. As for the habitat itself, they were asked to consider vegetation, safety for animals and people, size constraints, ease of feeding and cleaning the habitat, and ease of viewing animals. They also needed to consider material types for habitats and the type of enclosures. The habitat should also include natural settings including exercise ability and whether or not they co-exist with other animals.
For those who may not already be a 4-H member there was information on how to join, including information on each of the 4-H clubs in Mountrail County.