Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah Turns One
A look back at one year of animal care, conservation action, and the teamwork that made it all possible
On May 9, 2024, Utah’s Hogle Zoo opened a new chapter in its history with the debut of the Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit—a three-acre expansion celebrating our home state’s incredible wildlife and landscapes.
Set against the backdrop of Emigration Canyon and designed to echo Utah’s great outdoors, Wild Utah is home to native species like cougars, desert bighorn sheep, burros, gray foxes, skunks, western toads, yellow-bellied marmots, and desert tortoises.
Over the past year, Wild Utah has invited guests to engage with Utah wildlife like never before—offering personal animal experiences, hands-on conservation opportunities, and a behind-the-scenes look at expert animal care.
It takes a team
Creating an exhibit like Wild Utah takes a village—through years of planning, hard work, and dedication, Hogle Zoo staff collaborated closely to bring this exhibit to life.
“It was really amazing to see the team band together to create this amazing exhibit,” said Autumn, Animal Care Supervisor of Animal Ambassadors in Wild Utah. “We’ve done a lot to ensure our animals have good wellbeing and that we’re providing our guests with meaningful experiences.”
That guest experience includes moments of connection that happen daily, like peeking into the Norma building’s kitchen, where staff prepare diets and answer questions in real-time.
“One of the best parts about Wild Utah is that we can connect with guests more often,” Autumn said. “Visitors can see animal care in action, ask questions, and talk with our team.”
Animal wellbeing is always front and center at Hogle Zoo. “Our animals are thriving in habitats designed especially for them,” she added. “We created climbing opportunities for our bobcat, gray foxes, and porcupines. Our marmots have more dirt to dig and burrow in. Our badger dug his own burrow, allowing him to be the architect of his own habitat. Some of my favorite memories this year have been watching them display those natural behaviors—it’s so cool.”
Many animal residents were rescued to Wild Utah after it was determined they couldn’t survive on their own in the wild. “My heart really belongs to our special cases, like one of our gray foxes, Juniper, who was born blind,” Anna, Animal Keeper II said. “Being able to set up her habitat so that she’s able to navigate it all on her own is something I’m really proud of.”
Juniper’s story is just one example of how intentional design and compassionate care help each animal in Wild Utah thrive.
“Getting to work with the cougars more closely has been very rewarding,” said Connor, Animal Keeper II. “Seeing them come into their own, especially as they were much shyer and more skittish when they first came to us. Now, they’re happy, comfortable, and it’s amazing to see their growth.”
Many residents of Wild Utah required individualized care. The Wild Utah team collaborated to develop training programs tailored to each animal’s unique needs—while giving them choice and agency in their daily care.
“We’re really proud that we were able to work with them and train them so that they could have a say in their care,” Anna said.
Behind every ounce of care, every habitat, every enrichment item, and every guest interaction are the collaboration, creativity, and commitment of the people who made it possible.
Hands-on conservation
In addition to animal care, Wild Utah offers a space for action. The Maker Space, located inside the exhibit, invites guests of all ages to take part in hands-on conservation.
In just one year, over 25,000 guests participated in hands-on conservation:
- 2,500 guests helped feed burrowing owls
- Over 4,000 made bee hotels
- Nearly 10,000 created pollinator seed dumplings
- Over 5,000 planted milkweed for monarch butterflies
- Over 5,000 made pollinator puddles and toad abodes
Conservation doesn’t stop at the Maker Space. Wild Utah also offers opportunities to learn how to safely recreate in nature—part of Hogle Zoo’s partnership with Wild Aware Utah, a collaborative effort focused on preventing human-wildlife conflict through education and awareness.
Wild Utah highlights the zoo’s work to protect native species in their natural habitat—like the western toad, a species in decline across much of its range. Through the Western Toad Conservation Program, Hogle Zoo works with local and federal partners to monitor wild populations, restore habitat, and better understand this important amphibian.
Together, these efforts empower guests to become champions for Utah’s wildlife—both at the zoo and beyond.
One year later
Wild Utah opened its gates for the first time a year ago. Since then, it’s grown into more than just a new exhibit. It’s a place where animals thrive, guests connect, and conservation happens every day.
