Scottsbluff zoo director shares history, mission of Riverside Discovery Center

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KOLN) - The Riverside Discovery Center offers visitors a chance to see a variety of zoo animals, from chimpanzees to a grizzly bear.

Kei Hodgson, executive director of the zoo, said he is originally from South Africa and has worked in the zoo industry his whole life. He studied zoology and botany before entering the field full-time.

The zoo is the second oldest in Nebraska, opening in 1950. Hodgson said the facility has an exceptional collection for the population of Scotts Bluff County.

“We’re the only zoo in Nebraska with chimpanzees,” Hodgson said. “We’ve got grizzly bears and tigers and mountain lions and zebra and all sorts of different animals.”

The name Riverside Discovery Center reflects the zoo’s focus on education, particularly for youth. Hodgson said the facility aims to be more than a place where people just come to view animals.

“We really wanted to set ourselves apart in terms of not just a zoo where people can walk around and see lots of animals, but somewhere where youth can come out and engage and actually learn about specific animals,” Hodgson said.

The zoo conducts programs within the community, with keepers making frequent visits. Last year, the facility held 102 educational events in and around Scotts Bluff County.

Winter hours run from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., with gates closing at 3:30 p.m. In summer, gates close at 4 p.m., and visitors can walk around until 4:30 p.m. The zoo is open every day.

Most visitors come from western Nebraska, with May bringing school groups for field trips. The zoo offers guided tours and on-site educational visits with certain animals.

More information is available at www.RiversideDiscoveryCenter.org.

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