Submitted photo These birds sure did flock to a honey stick that I was holding at Sustainable Safari.

Back in February, my brother and I went to Sustainable Safari, which is located in the Maplewood Mall. We needed a “pick-me-up” of sorts after the loss of our mother, so we checked out the indoor zoo at the mall. There’s also a location in Burnsville. I’ve seen mentions of this place here and there for the last few years, so it seemed like a good idea.

According to Sustainable Safari’s website, their mission is to “educate the public about planetary sustainability through the use of live animals in a safe, up-close manner.” The first location, Maplewood, started in 2019; the one in Burnsville, which is a former Old Navy, was built in 2024. There are also almost 100 animal species at each location. And this includes capybaras and kangaroos. I’ve never seen a capybara up close and personal, so I was jazzed to go.

Luckily we went while there was an admission special, so we got in for $10 a person. With admission, you get a cup of feed to give to the animals. There’s also extras, like if you want to cuddle with a capybara or get honey and seed covered sticks for the birds.

Speaking of the birds.

There’s a bird enclosure that has a lot of parakeets and budgies. Around 300 of them. A family consisting of mom, grandma and two kids were already going in, so we followed them. We sat down and then one of the Safari employees released the birds. Colorful birds came from all directions. One landed on my brother’s head, which made me laugh. The kids freaked out, so the mom took them out of the enclosure while grandma fed the birds with the honey sticks. She mentioned that she loved coming there. She also shared one of the food sticks, so I could feed the birds as well. Before I knew it, several birds swooped down on my outstretched arm. I fumbled with my phone trying to get photos of the fluffers tussling on my arm for a bit of food. I got my Tippi Hedren experience that day.

We strolled through the area, taking in the goats, kangaroos, lemurs, guinea pigs, giant lop rabbits (they were huge!), various reptiles and amphibians, a hedgehog, a sloth, a duck and a goose, and a food-stealing llama named Carl. There’s even an animal called a screaming hairy armadillo. Curious, I walked over to the spot that had the armadillo. He wasn’t really making much of an appearance. I kept coming back, hoping he’d emerge. Eventually, he waddled out of his enclosure. I still think Screaming Hairy Armadillo would make a great band name.

Sustainable Safari was an interesting experience. I would like to go back again, maybe have a capybara cuddle or feed some more birds. The blur of color was amusing and fascinating as they picked the food stick clean.