Please, the animals of the Lake Superior Zoo need your help.

On June 16th, a devastating flood ravaged the community of Duluth, Minnesota when more than 10 inches of rain fell in a few short hours (after several days of already heavy rain). Homes were flooded, roads washed out, bridges torn away, and parks were destroyed amidst much other damage. And very sadly, our zoo and zoo animals did not escape the destruction.

Floodwaters reached 14 feet high in some areas of the zoo, and many of the animals' once-gracious homes were destroyed or damaged (you may have read about Feisty the seal being washed out onto the street, or Berlin, the polar bear who escaped drowning in the raging muddy waters by climbing out of her enclosure and perching on a high rock at the zoo.) Tragically, several beloved children's zoo animals lost their lives when raging waters tore through so destructively. The rest of the animals at the zoo were saved, but their homes are destroyed or awash in debris.

If you are able to, please contribute so that we may rebuild these animals' homes and grounds back into the park-like setting they once enjoyed. Any amount will help enormously. I and the much-loved animals of the Lake Superior Zoo thank you for your generosity and willingness to help.

Sincerely, Toni Fladmark