Dungannon zoo provides free viewing of animals

   For over 30 years Huron County residents, as well as visitors, have been able to enjoy visiting with exotic animals, all without charge.

   The Dungannon Zoo is located on Hawkins Road, just west of County Road 1 between Nile and Dungannon.

   Here in spacious enclosures on both sides of the road, you’ll find llamas, alpacas, elk, goats and deer. Swimming in ponds you’ll see swans and ducks and, dropping in from the wild, Canada Geese.

   The park-like zoo was created in the mid-1980s by Harry and Gerda Burgsma who had a poultry farm on the land. Harry Burgsma dug ponds in a swampy area which attracted waterfowl. Later he fenced in an area and added deer to keep the grass down.

   Soon people began to stop on the roadside to see the animals and the collection grew, including zebras and a camel at one time.

   The collection of animals isn’t quite so broad today but there is still an opportunity to get close to animals you’ll seldom see elsewhere.

   To get to the zoo go to Carlow on County Road 25 and turn north on County Road 1 (left if you’re coming from Goderich, right if from Blyth). Go north through Nile and turn west on the first sideroad, Hawkins Road.