![Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo Has New Residents](https://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2019/02/Bull-Elk-3-e1550852046759.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo Has New Residents
100 years ago, when they first opened, Lansing's Potter Park Zoo had elk on display. When things open back up again and we can visit the zoo, elk will be there again.
![94.9 WMMQ logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WMMQFM.png?w=100)
According to MLive.com, Potter Park Zoo had a vacant display after their Alaskan bull moose, Meeko, passed away last year due to cancer. The zoo planned to obtain orphan moose from Alaska to house on the 3 acre display pen, but there were none available. So, they went to plan B - elk. American elk.
In Europe, the animal we call moose are called elk. The Shawnee and Cree Native American derived word for what we call elk is "wapiti", but we still incorrectly call them "elk". In New Zealand, where they are an introduced species and there are no Shawnee or Cree tribes, these animals are called wapiti. I'm sure that clears everything up. Right? No? Well, moving on.
The elk, one male named Emmett and two females, Saige and Belle, are already at the zoo. Michigan has a very healthy elk herd in northern lower Michigan, but these elk were obtained from the Amber Elk Ranch in Ludington, so no wild elk were taken out of the herd.
I look forward to going to the zoo this fall to hear our boy Emmett doing some loud bugling. Don't know how the neighbors are going to feel about that, but...
KEEP READING: See how animals around the world are responding to COVID-19
More From 94.9 WMMQ
![Fascinating History You Might Not Have Known About Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo](http://townsquare.media/site/667/files/2020/03/RS36882_CJF_0787-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![28 of the Best Places to Take Friends and Family When Visiting Lansing](http://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2021/11/attachment-RS37016_CJF_0923-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![It’s a Good Thing We Don’t Have Wild Penguins in Michigan Because the Inside of Their Mouth is Terrifying](http://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2021/11/attachment-RS34001_GettyImages-939133858-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Trick Or Treat at Potter Park Zoo And Plenty Of Halloween Fun Ahead](http://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2021/10/attachment-RS11647_127027484-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Potter Park Zoo Having a Goodbye Party For Endangered Black Rhino Jaali](http://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2021/09/attachment-Black-Rhino.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Potter Park Zoo and Hawk Island Are Open Labor Day, CATA Is A No Go](http://townsquare.media/site/667/files/2020/03/RS36882_CJF_0787-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Potter Park Zoo Welcomes New Red Panda Cubs](http://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2021/07/attachment-michael-payne-a9NQ6z1zqro-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Celebrate Zoo Days at Potter Park Zoo Next Week](http://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2021/07/attachment-IMG_3458.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Visit the New Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine at Potter Park Zoo](http://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2021/06/attachment-IMG_3363.jpg?w=980&q=75)