Lillienthal

GAYLORD — A former University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension educator has a new idea that is getting attention.

Christian Lillienthal, who owns Wild Things Zoo Attractions, LLC, (WTZA), a zoo consultancy, presented his Kangaroo Island proposal to the Gaylord City Council earlier this month. He said the corporation would like to acquire the islands from the City of Gaylord to parody worldwide travel destinations and animal life for public tourism.

The city council took no action on the topic but is researching it, Gaylord City Administrator Lory Young said.

“Through seasonal exhibits, people would travel to Gaylord to visit themes including “Australia,” “Off-Africa,” and “Easter Island,” among others. Themes would be open June through September and change annually,” Lillienthal wrote in the proposal.

“This attraction would benefit the City of Gaylord by diversifying its community profile and showcasing in an ongoing statewide marketing campaign,” Lillienthal added. “An incentivized land value would benefit the overall success of this venture in becoming an interesting part of Gaylord’s identity.”

Lillienthal said the peninsula connected underwater to a land parcel is not of interest to WTZA but he is interested in the two islands that are platted government lots and owned by the City of Gaylord, according to the Sibley County Assessor’s Office.

Wild Things Zoo Attractions leases animal exhibits to Minnesota zoos, fairs and museums. In addition, it develops education and veterinarian care programs, designs housing, signage and sources animals at Lillienthal’s private facility near Arlington.

“We’d like to extend our exhibit profile by showcasing our attractions locally,” Lillienthal proposed. “We’re seeking property ownership because tourism takes a lot of promotion to develop and we’d like the security of being able to continue business at this location.”

In addition, Lillienthal said the natural condition of the islands would be maintained. Minor pruning and noxious weed removal are the only intended modifications.

The commercial exhibition of wild or exotic animals is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Animal Plant Inspection Division; Animal Care Unit,” Lillienthal said. He said other state and federal agencies may be involved with housing, care or licensing requirements.

Lillienthal said animals including kangaroos, parrots, emus, ibis, llamas and alpacas will be fenced in by various methods. He said most of the animals will be contained by 7 foot, 1 inch high tensile black plastic fencing he described as invisible from the City of Gaylord and to island visitors.

In addition, he said some species like birds may be in large cages. After hours, during inclement weather and on closed days, animals would either be contained to a chain link “dog kennel” style area or crated and transported to the Arlington facility. Animals will be staffed all the time they are on site.

Lillienthal said his marketing plan is to reserve departures for small, private excursions on air boats departing from a church cemetery along State Highway 22 or from a public water access. He said air boats are needed to follow the lake’s no-wake boating limit.

“This would be great to let our creativity flow, show our best and do what we like to do,” Lillienthal said. “We have been involved with the Minnesota Zoo’s Kangaroo Crossing exhibit. It would be fun to do an Australian parody exhibit.”

Lillienthal worked as an extension agent for five years while farming. In addition, he started his own zoo with more than 40 species he used for classroom visits, community programs and displays at fairs and other events.

Three years ago, he decided to concentrate on growing corn, beans and raising beef cattle plus zoo-keeping on his farm near Arlington.

For more information, visit https://wildthingsattractions.weebly.com/

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.