Reptile Gardens opened back up on February 28 after a devastating fire rocked not only the popular long-time Rapid City attraction, but the entire state of South Dakota.
“The fire was absolutely heartbreaking for our staff,” said president and CEO Joe Maierhauser. “They had invested years in raising and caring for some of those animals. They knew them all as individuals and loved them.”
A fire was first reported around 1:30 a.m. on November 21 at a detached agricultural shelter. Investigators dubbed the cause as “undetermined electrical,” and 80-90 of African spurthighed and red-footed tortoises and American Alligators were lost.
Orville, a 120-year-old tortoise was unharmed, along with a few other “gentle giants,” Tank, Samson, and their younger cousins Kenny, Peabody, and Hugo as they were in separate buildings.
Maierhauser says the outpouring of love and concern after the fire was overwhelming.
“We heard from people all over the United States and the world,” he said. “We received kind gift boxes from other zoos. Many offered to help in any way they could.”
The locals were the most “amazing.”
“We always knew people were fond of Reptile Gardens, but maybe had not realized how much people in this area saw us as part of their family and their family’s lives,” said Maierhauser.
“WE HAVE MORE OF THE WORLD’S DEADLIEST SNAKES THAN ANY OTHER ZOO.”
Joe Maierhauser
After a major period of “feeling numb and sad,” the team had to plan for what was to come. The staff reached out to other zoos and breeders to find new additions so visitors could have the same experiences as before.
As one of the largest reptile zoos in the world, Reptile Gardens isn’t foreign to pivoting and looking ahead. What started out as one small building by Earl Brockelsby and some friends on a $400 loan from the bank in 1937 had turned into a campus of experiencing and preserving nature.
“During the early years he would capture local snakes to exhibit each spring then release them in the fall,” said Maierhauser. “Each year he added and improved.”
In 1949 Brockelsby added a full Reptile House, which enabled the team to keep more exotic species from around the world. They continued to improve and grow until 1965 when they moved to their new location, which ended up being off Highway 16 with four bustling lanes, bringing in visitors internationally.
MANIC, the Giant Saltwater Crocodile
Maniac is one of few male saltwater crocodiles from Australia and was born in captivity in 1970. Check him out at 16 feet, two inches long with a weight of 1,350 pounds.
The most “iconic” building of Reptile Gardens is the Sky Dome—two levels showcasing everything from one of the largest collections of reptiles anywhere, their collection of venomous and non-venomous snakes, amphibians, “big bugs,” sculptures from Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and the Safari Room.
“The Sky Dome was Earl’s idea, and at the time was the first major indoor jungle in the country,” said Maierhauser. “We tried a fascinating number of animal and bird species there. Some worked, some did not. It remains the centerpiece of the park.”
For those who aren’t particularly fond of snakes and lizards, many exhibits in the Sky Dome also include fossils and minerals. The Dome has an exact cast of an Archelon Turtle Fossil—the largest turtle ever found (the actual fossil was discovered by paleontologists a short distance from Reptile Gardens in the 1970s, but was sold by Brockelsby to a museum in Vienna, Austria).
“ALL GUESTS RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY SEASON PASS WITH THEIR ADMISSION SO YOU CAN RETURN AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT OVER THE SEASON—A GREAT OPTION FOR LOCALS!”
Joe Maierhauser
Visit Prairie Dog Town
Become one of South Dakota’s best-known creatures and get down to prairie dog level in the underground bubble to watch them frolic and play.
• Did you know prairie dogs can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances?
• Did you know they recognize each other by touching their front teeth together; also known as a “kiss?”
• Did you know the “dog” part of their name comes from the barking sounds they make? They have distinct, different sounds for specific predators.
While reptiles are a highlight for kids, the Safari Room is a favorite of adults with a veritable oasis filled with orchids, bromeliads, caladiums, and other tropical plants from locations like Central America, South America, Africa, and China.
“Not long ago we went beyond what we had always done with flowers and plants and became a full botanical garden that dazzles our guests each year,” said Maierhauser.
The entire grounds also has gorgeous walking gardens and Tortuga Falls with a waterfall and turtle and koi pond. Reptile Gardens has two year-round horticulturalists with 10 during the busy season.
Spring Creek Gulch Fun-Tier Town
Have more Black Hills entertainment with a stroll through the Old West Ghost Town. Stop by Little Mount Rushmore, go gemstone and arrowhead sluicing, experience a black light 3D Safari, and more.
“Our team will put 40,000 flowering plants in the ground this spring,” said Maierhauser. “The head horticulturists spend several months each fall and winter planning designs and plants for each flowerbed. During the main part of the season our grounds are lush and beautiful.”
The main event for families typically includes various shows. There are a few to choose from, like Spring and Fall Bird Shows, Virtual Reality Adventures, Snake Shows, and the Gators.
The other is the beloved giant tortoises.
“On an almost daily basis we have people visit us who tell us when they were little they were here and had their photo taken with the giant tortoises, and now they are bringing their kids or grandkids to make the same memories,” said Maierhauser.
Because of the fire, the crew is working with a contractor and design team to create new housing for all of the tortoises, including the giants.
“Our giant tortoises have long been our guests’ favorite thing at Reptile Gardens,” said Maierhauser. “This new facility will not only be great for our animal residents, but will also enable our guests to have the same kind of great memory-making experiences with our tortoises in the shoulder seasons that they have during the summer.”
“OUR STAFF HAS ALWAYS BEEN REMARKABLE AND DEDICATED, AND I T SHOWS.”
Joe Maierhauser
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT REPTILEGARDENS.COM+
