Reviews of Tri-State Zoological Park (Zoo)

PurpleTiger 300

Small local zoo/animal rescue. Doesn't look the best, but the animals are well taken care of and if you talk with the owner or staff you will fall in love with each animal and their story.

John Dee

Zoos are for animals in prison. Please don't support zoos. This zoo is an example of how animals live in terrible conditions. For what? So we can look at them for a few seconds? They should close this place down quick!

Nathalie Lenoble

Hopefully this place will be closed down soon and the animals put in a reputable sanctuary. This place is a disgrace and we are not far from animal abuse. The living conditions of these poor creatures are a scandal.

Jesse Poteet

I'm not sure why so many people are rating this place 1 star without having all the facts. First of all, this isn't really a zoo in the traditional sense. The animals that are kept here are ones that were held as pets until the animal got too big to keep or that the owner simply got bored and wanted to get rid of the animal. So Bob (the owner) took the animal in. Secondly, some of these animals here were moved here FROM a zoo (like the one in DC, for example) because they couldn't take care of it, or didn't want to. Many of these animals had nowhere else to go, but they have a home here and are well cared for. I was lucky enough to meet the owner while I was there and it's truly inspiring how much thought, care, and attention he gives to the animals. The way the animals interact with him is incredible. There was a duck named Pip, that followed us around the entire time Bob was with us. Pip is awesome and gets a little jealous when he doesn't get enough attention from Bob, which is hilarious to see. The mountain lion behaved like a house cat when Bob was near and one of the tigers would roll around on his back as Bob walked by. The zoo doesn't have the luxury of government subsidies and survives on donations from the community and kind-hearted visitors who can see past the reclaimed wood fences and into the heart of why this zoo exists - to take care of animals that no one else can or will. I urge anyone who visits to take a moment and interact with the staff here. Ask questions and listen to the stories behind the animals. I did and it made the trip all the more worthwhile and I can't wait to go back.

ClassyShows

The animal closures were damaged and dilapidated. There were wires sticking out. An old coatimundi lived in a cage with a floor that was nothing but fecal matter. A squirrel monkey and a capuchin lived in social isolation. A morbidly obese Asian black bear and a kinkajou lives in a fecal filled enclosure and had food and water bowl filled with feces.

DYKWIA D

Horrible Horrible. A lion died in February 2017 due to starvation. Boycott. While these animals maybe once were rescued from other awful situations to be retired here. They need rescued again as this place cannot support them. Do not visit but urge them to let their animals to be safely rescued to capable sanctuaries.

Peter Smith

Close this place down. Do not go.

wendy durst

Locally owned. The owner truly loves the animals which are for the most part rescues. Operates on the efforts of mainly volunteers & is completely overwhelmed.

W Carter

Been here on several occasions & each time had a great time; staff was very helpful & informative; good selection of animals-well taken care of;

julie Jenkins

Getting ready to do some community service. They need lots of help to make it nice. Feeding and landscaping help is much needed.

Alfredo Salas

Very nice place

Brittany Goodman

Went here with my kids it was enjoyable. The staff were very friendly and helpful answered all the questions we had. My son loved the area where you can walk around and feed the animals. The enclosures are not what you would see in a major zoo with a staff to support it. That being said I was disappointed at some of the overall cleanliness and general appearance of several enclosures. Know doubt in my mind the owner is trying to do the best he can with what resources he has. But he needs help.

zachary griffith

Call ahead to watch the tigers feed on roadkill deer. Deer struck down on roadways are gathered by the DNR, and normally incinerated. Having this zoo-park locally, gives us a way to reduce the operating cost of the incinerator. The Bear-cat smells like buttered popcorn.

Richard Segraves

I love things in plaaces like this i helped when i got there everyone should do the same give money to help this awsome people in zoo

Salina Melotti

I've seen animal abusers give their pets better living conditions than these. Please Google the petition to remove this zoo and sign it. There's almost enough signatures.

Peppa pig

Got there. It was run down and didn't look like anything like a zoo. We left

Michael Jones

Very nice people and the Animals seem to be in good shape but they need help. These are good-hearted people working very hard to take care of these animals and I believe it's a thankless job but they keep doing it. Kudos to everybody there I hope somebody sees this and has extra time to give you a hand

RootBear

The animals would be better off living in the natural wilds where they belong, rather than this dump you call a zoo. Animals shouldn't be used for entertainment, it's cruel. Please be compassionate and free them!

Jennifer Sheeder

We had a great time. Bob was a wonderful person. The animals were very loved and well taken care of.

Jason Helman

Love this zoo. Everyone that works there is really nice. Hope more people go see the animals. U will love it there

Just Harley

Absolutely incredible place. The owner truly cares for all his guests and animals there is no better way to see the beautiful personality of these wonderful animals to shine than to see them around him. You can truly see the love the animals feel for him (bob) and he feels for them. Visit every year and wont be stopping my visits anytime soon! Can only hope it gets the support it deserves! All the animals and people here are just marvelousm

D Loy

Loved all the animals

Katie Killion

We had a great time at the zoo. It was great to see the animals and the staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. We will definitely be returning soon!

Jadon Kolb

my family had so much here together. gray day out & learned so much about the animals from the owner.

RootBear

The animals would be better off living in the natural wilds where they belong, rather than this dump you call a zoo. Animals shouldn't be used for entertainment, it's cruel. Please be compassionate and free them!

Edward Hall

Couldn't be much worse for the animals. I donated a healthy parrot to this place. They were supposed to build an aviary.. didn't happen. The healthy 17 year old African Grey parrot was dead in 1 1/2 years. Worst thing I ever did. This place should be shut down immediately. The animals are not cared for.

Jennifer Sheeder

We had a great time. Bob was a wonderful person. The animals were very loved and well taken care of.

Matthan Potts

The animals are suffering. They need to be shut down.

Haley Engelman

extremely dirty and the animals were in awful condition.... this place should be shut down

Rodger Bryant

This place is great nice staff that are doing great work with limited resources

Marianne Decker

Wonderful Zoo! Animals are absolutely friendly and happy!

jenell Ahern

They are closed for the season they open back up in april

Bailie Wills

Great place!! Staff is very friendly and helpful! Don't judge it by the outside, it's definitely worth going into!! Very exotic animals including tigers, lions, bears, peacocks, monkeys, snakes and parrots!!

Nita Ostroff Tyson

First, I agree: it's a little run-down. Bob is doing with volunteers what most zoos do with loads of staff. Second, it's a rescue as well, which means that most of these animals have come from deplorable situations and can't BE released. Third, the pride Bob's staff has in what they are doing is obvious. No doubt in my mind that with as much money as most zoos have, this one would look like them too. In the meantime, the animals seem to enjoy their homes, the petting zoo critters are amazingly tame, and this zoo offers a local opportunity to see your child or grandchild's eyes open in amazement the first time they ever pet a tortoise. As a side note, we felt fairly safe letting the almost-3 run loose; the zoo has double fences where appropriate and as long as there's adult supervision, the kids can enjoy themselves quite well in this outddor setting.

Evelyn Wang

Before going to this zoo, you need to understand that they did not go out and captured these animals to put them into a cage for their collection or to show off to you. They actually rescued them from abandonment and negligence. Most of these animals are from people who illegally own them and didn’t want them after a while. Some were completely neglected or abandoned since the owners moved on with their lives. Some have birth defects and were left to die. The owner, Bob, took all of them into his care and provided them with everything he has. When Bob walked by the mountain lion, the mountain lion immediately started to purr. You cannot fake the love and trust between them. Since this zoo is not funded by the government (by donation and his life saving), it is not glamorous in any way. However, if you really look, the stories behind each rescue, the volunteers there to work for a good cause, and the trust between the animals and the people working there are truly beautiful.

Dylan Stumbaugh

Could be a lil cleaner I'm sure.. but who am I to say

Rose Lutes

This place is truly awesome. The animals are beautiful and the staff are so friendly they make you feel at home. The place is a little run down but what do you expect from a shelter that survives from donations and visitors only. I really hope everyone that knows about this place donates and tries to volunteer here. Shame on anyone who rated this place 1 star cuz of run down cages.

M P

Some of these people need to research this place before making some of the nasty comments. The people running this place are doing such a great thing with what they have to work with. It's a non-profit zoo and support the animals from donations only and their own money. Taking the animals in from people owning them illegally. The first time going had an amazing time. It's not state funded so it's not the Washington or Baltimore zoo. That being said they can only do so much without the help from donations. Well worth the visit. Will go back for sure.

Chanszee's Trash

Amazing experience, animals are clearly happy, energetic, friendly, and close to the staff

Jason Helman

Love this zoo. Everyone that works there is really nice. Hope more people go see the animals. U will love it there

Ralph Del Colle

Amazing place.....

Eric Wilson

Had a good time there it's a little zoo run by very friendly people I think the guy who owns it or runs it name is Bob he'll tell you about all the animals and everything very nice guy this is a privately owned Zoo so it's not big it's not something you would see in a big city but it's still very nice

james bavaro

It's not the baltimore zoo or the national zoo, and that's what makes this place amazing!. There's lions tigers and bears.. And pigs, tortises, peacocks and many other pet friendly animals. The staff are great people!... Don't let the outside deter you, it's definitely worth going to.

Stacy Gursky

Wake up people. Stop supporting animal captivity, suffering, neurosis, insanity, prisons, neglect, abuse...

Just Harley

Absolutely incredible place. The owner truly cares for all his guests and animals there is no better way to see the beautiful personality of these wonderful animals to shine than to see them around him. You can truly see the love the animals feel for him (bob) and he feels for them. Visit every year and wont be stopping my visits anytime soon! Can only hope it gets the support it deserves! All the animals and people here are just marvelousm

Bob Candy

Interactive with the animals. Good variety. Rescued animals. Not fancy, so not paying for aesthetics "made for people" , not the animals.

Kate

My family were visiting the area just to get out and ran into this place. We had a fantastic time. My kids had a great time petting and feeding the animals. The staff that walked around were knowledgeable and very kind. The zoo is not a typical zoo. It is a RESCUE! they are solely dependent on donations and the money they make from emissions. It is a little run down but they are doing a good job and the animals seem to be cared for.

Sarah Post

Poor excuse for a zoological park. I am truly heartbroken at the poor living conditions that these animals are subjected to. These animals are staying in tattered and damaged enclosures at are small and covered in feces. I was honestly disgusted by the amount of filth in this place and was scared to allow my toddler son remotely touch anything!! The ONE women that is a volunteer was informative, but I feel as though she knows the conditions are extremely poor as she followed us around the park and I felt uncomfortable as I took pictures of the disgusting conditions. I am really unsure how a single person believes they can tend to and care for these animals.

Beth Marie

The USDA has been called, that's what I heard.

Kate

My family were visiting the area just to get out and ran into this place. We had a fantastic time. My kids had a great time petting and feeding the animals. The staff that walked around were knowledgeable and very kind. The zoo is not a typical zoo. It is a RESCUE! they are solely dependent on donations and the money they make from emissions. It is a little run down but they are doing a good job and the animals seem to be cared for.

owlpower me

"Living" conditions... I wouldn't call them that. Tri-State is clearly profiting from the misery of others. WWJD, Tri-State...

Sarah Post

Poor excuse for a zoological park. I am truly heartbroken at the poor living conditions that these animals are subjected to. These animals are staying in tattered and damaged enclosures at are small and covered in feces. I was honestly disgusted by the amount of filth in this place and was scared to allow my toddler son remotely touch anything!! The ONE women that is a volunteer was informative, but I feel as though she knows the conditions are extremely poor as she followed us around the park and I felt uncomfortable as I took pictures of the disgusting conditions. I am really unsure how a single person believes they can tend to and care for these animals.

Erick Sontheimer

Absolutely wonderful people doing an amazing job. It's a rescue center for exotic animals, it's a non profit shelter, not a fully funded zoo. The animals are well cared for and very friendly. Very worth the visit, we will be back. Wish we could have made more of a donation.

Uncommonsensesc

The "living" conditions of these poor animals is horrendous! This zoo needs to be shut down and these innocent animals transferred to a sanctuary that will care for them and give them the attention they deserve! They've been cited before for animal neglect - I don't know why they haven't been shut down by now!

Greg Albright

Terrible and run down. Do not waste your time or money.

TM Paw

They only accept cash so before you go make sure you have that on you

Carrie Rice

I loved seeing all the unique animals

Ron Deshong

Doing a good job caring for animals. Nice park. Nice staff.

Mike McGowan

I gave it one star because you can't go any lower for submission. This place has some disgusting conditions for some animals, there is the poor tigers confined to their cage that have to deal with murky pools of putrid liquid (water?) that are obviously not taken care of and is probably a health hazard to these animals (as well as humans!- EVER HEARD OF ZEIKA people!!!!). In addition, some the animals are going mad due to forced captivity and the inability of the zoo to provide an environment even close to what they need for a half way decent life in captivity- One monkey had pulled out his own hair in frustration. A place to visit unless you want to see how horrible man can force nature to submit to his harsh rule... very sad

Corey Smith

My wife and I randomly decided to pull over for the night in Cumberland because we were tired of travelling, and what a wonderful decision that turned out to be. I wasn't sure what to expect when we pulled up to Bob's little refuge, but what I got was both wild and wonderful. The owner, Bob, took us around and introduced us to all of the animals personally, and I was deeply impressed by the love and compassion he has for each and every one of them (all of whom were previously abused, neglected, or unwanted). This place is a little tucked-away treasure and, as another reviewer mentioned, you'll never be so close to a tiger.

Lena Portillo

The animals (many of which are rescues) are well cared for, extremely friendly, and clearly comfortable. Although the buildings are run down, the animals are what's important. The zoo has also taken in some stray cats who are not shy and will practically hop in your car to say hello. All funds received are clearly going towards the animals, people comforts are not the priority, which is ok with me. Wear shoes you don't mind getting poop on...

Bianca DM

Tri-State has repeatedly failed to maintain clean and safe enclosures and to provide animals with adequate veterinary care and adequate shelter from the wind and cold temperatures. The USDA has cited this roadside zoo so many times for failing to meet even the most minimal animal-welfare standards that it suspended Tri-State’s license in 2013 and recently issued an official warning regarding even more violations.

August Moon

Horrible experience - animals in pitiful conditions I felt sorry for them. This wasn't what I expected. Save your money and time.

James Mangle

Wonderful staff. I can assure you, you will never be so close to a tiger.

Kayla Lamp

Is this zoo still open? I heard from a friend that this zoo is closed down for a short period on time. Thank you in advance

Lucia Zuniga

Seems like it could use some work, but they use what they can and the animals seem happy and taken care of. All rescue animals and volunteer workers too

Nancy Hazen

Such a cute little place to bring young children. Lots of small animals wandering around to feed. You can buy bags of feed for a dollar and the animals follow you around.

wmfinch

If you enjoy innocent creatures writhing in miserable conditions, you will love this place. If you want to see a monkey so miserable he pulls his own hair out of his head in sheer misery, you will love this place. If you want to be involved with owners and operators who make a living and pay their bills at the expense of the comfort of innocent creatures, you will love this place. If you want to mock the AUTHOR OF LIFE, you will love this place.

William Windisch

This place is AWESOME....they rescue exotic pets...animals people aren't allowed to own. The animals for the most parr love human interaction. My daughter and I had a wonderful time.

James Nichols

Poor poor animals.... that is all I can say.

Lucia Zuniga

Seems like it could use some work, but they use what they can and the animals seem happy and taken care of. All rescue animals and volunteer workers too

Johnette Stanford

I believe people should do their homework before writing a review. With that said, this place from he outside looks to be run down and not well managed. However, after you spend the time looking, watching the animals, and talking to the staff you will soon realize these animals are very well taken care of. It's a rescue place for animals that people have neglected, couldn't care for, or no longer wanted. The owner does a great job caring for the animals. This establishment is a non-profit organization, caring for the unwanted. Take the time and actually SEE the zoo. Find out how you can help the organization before TRYING to shut it down.

Nancy Hazen

Such a cute little place to bring young children. Lots of small animals wandering around to feed. You can buy bags of feed for a dollar and the animals follow you around.

Joe Yancosky

Amazing place owner is a wonderful person to take these animals in and give them the love and happiness that they deserve. To take them would be cruel!! He has formed a bond with each and every one giving them names and enclosures that give them what they need. Was the best part about this vacation!! Thank you Bob Candy and Thank you from us and your animals

Corey New

Only zoo I have been to, that lets you feed some animals, has an outdoor video, let's you hold some animals, and the owner is an ACTIVE participant.

Patty Haines

Very disappointing. They need to be reported to the humane society and shut down.

Melody Hanna

Owner Bob was so friendly & knowledgeable, You can definitely tell that he really cares about all of his animals. We will definitely be going back!

Kristine Hoopengardner

Great place to see animals from all over the place and definitely cheaper and you can be more interactive with the animals then other zoos I have gone to.

piano princess

The staff really love the animals and can tell you all about their personalities, where they are native to and what their diets are like. Very knowledgeable.

rosaria scavone

Zob Zombie must be doing another 1000 corpses movie. This place was horrifying.

Shannon Scheaffer

The outside looks like a dump but there are some interesting animals to see. There are cats, rabbits, peacocks, ducks, and geese running loose throughout the park. Some of the geese aggressively chased us and wouldn't allow us to pass into a certain part of the zoo. There was feces all over the park from these animals and even while watching where you step, you come out with it all over your shoes. Some of the animals are missing fur but other than that look to be in good condition. The animal enclosures are unkempt. The reptile house had dirty litter boxes strewn about. We were greeted by an employee who was very nice. It is worth a look into the zoo but keep expectations low.

Susan Condry

Love this place. They need volunteers and contributions are always greatly appreciated

Crystal Kolb

it's a very personal feeling here and the staff are helpful. the animals are very well loved.

Shelly Sisler

Cool animals..nasty nasty environment if ur an animal lover dint go here :(

Brittany Gunning

Kids always enjoy coming out here

Brenda Timbrook

The kids really enjoyed it. They loved the little monkey that enjoyed eating but dosent like women and children.

Suzi Pritchett

BOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Disgusting!!!! Disgusting!!! Disgusting! MOVE THESE ANIMALS IMMEDIATELY TO A PRESERVE!!!!!! ZERO ZERO ZERO STAR!!!!!!! BOOO HISSSS BOOOOO HISSS!!!

John Tripp

The whole place is dilapidated and very unappealing. It is clear that the place doesn't operate entirely on the books, with the state of their buildings and the enclosures and arrangements they have for some of the animals. The guy that runs the zoo definitely has his heart in the right place, but that's about it.

David Vazquez

Very personal experience with the owner and the animals the kids and I loved our time there

Tina Phillips

Went out to volunteer and loved it! Can't wait to go back!

Mari Grider

Amazing! The owner is a real gem!