“Hemker Zoo and Park in Freeport has taken in an Amur Leopard and three Pallas Cats. Zoo owner and director Joan Hemker told KNSI News that having the animals helps further their goal. “By bringing these endangered species to the zoo, it will help us with our mission of teaching all generations about the importance of caring about animals that are endangered and need help.”

She says only around 100 Amur Leopards are left in the wild and around 180 in captivity. Both species are cold-weather cats native to Russia and China, making them a good fit for Minnesota’s climate. Hemker says the leopard is a large cat breed, and the others look distinct. “The Pallas Cats are smaller. We always say they resemble house cats, but they tend to look like a grumpy old man. And we think kids will really enjoy them a lot.”

The rare cats come from the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound (EFBC), a nonprofit in California that was forced to close its doors in February due to financial hardship.”

Camel bites down on two workers' heads at Minnesota zoo

Camel bites down on two workers’ heads at Minnesota zoo

FREEPORT, Minn. (WXIN) — A camel sent one man to the hospital and injured another at a zoo in Freeport, Minnesota, on Wednesday. Two workers at the Hemker Park and Zoo were leading the camel down an alleyway for transport to another facility when the animal took one man’s head into its mouth and bit down on it. The camel then dragged the 32-year-old man 15 feet by his head, according to the…

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Finding Minnesota: Family-Owned Hemker Park & Zoo

Consumer Credit Counseling Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A drive along County Road 39 near Freeport is about as rural as it comes. That's until silos and farm fields give-way to ... June 12, 2017 at 12:59AM via Finding Minnesota: Family-Owned Hemker Park & Zoo from Blogger http://minnesota55104.blogspot.com/2017/06/finding-minnesota-family-owned-hemker.html via Finding Minnesota: Family-Owned Hemker Park & Zoo