Fermilab Bison

FermiLab, west of Chicago near Aurora, has a small herd of bison on its vast campus. Why? Supposedly to show people how science fits into nature. Likely story. They're just fun. You can visit year-round for free just by showing your ID at the gate.

Batavia Pelicans

Since about the year 2000 white pelicans have been visiting the area around Sugar Grove in the spring for about a month. Up to 300 birds visit, creating a local spectacle. Usually they stay at Nelson Lake in the Dick Young Forest Preserve, but in 2010 they moved to Carson Slough, a few miles to the south.

International Crane Center

The International Crane Foundation is the only place in the world where you can see all 15 species of cranes, including the extremely rare Whooping Crane. Since 1976 they've organized the Annual Midwest Sandhill Crane Count.
The center directly helps crane populations with captive breeding and reintroduction programs.
The ICF also supports crane research, promotes education and protects crane ecosystems.
Guided tours are 10, 1, and 3--every day in the summer and on weekends for the two months before and after summer.
E11376 Shady Lane Rd (Just east of Route 12), Baraboo, WI (608) 356-9462

Black Pine Animal Park

Black Pine Animal Park gives resuced and retired exotic animals a home. They house a large variety of big cats, birds, a few monkeys and bears and even a coati and a kinkajous. Your visit (during the summer) helps pay for the care of these 45 species.
1426 W. 300 N., Albion, IN (260) 636-7383

Wildlife Prairie State Park

Just outside Peoria, the Wildlife Prairie State Park has a lot more for animal watchers than the typical state park. The focus here is on native wildlife. A herd of 18 bison wander a huge enclosure. Big groups of elk and wolves (in their own enclosure) roam, too. They move to a winter pasture so their summer place can recover. Their areas are big, but not so big you can't see them. And the bison come by the viewing stand to get fed.
Cougar, badger, lynx, otter and assorted nonreleasable raptors, including eagles, liver here too.
The park is closed most of the winter, except for members.
3826 N Taylor Rd., Hanna City, IL (309) 676-0998

Critter Camp

Critter Camp takes in all the small odd-ball pets that people get without thinking it through and gives them a permanent sanctuary. You can set up an appointment for up to 6 people and visit 20 ferrets, a kinkajou, fenec fox, degus, parrots, turtles, sugar gliders and everything else. You can either donate or do some volunteer work to visit.
824 Church St., German Valley (near Rockford), IL (815) 266-1342

River Trail Nature Center

The River Trail Nature Center keeps native wildlife that has been injured and can no longer live in the wild. The population constantly changes. You're likely to see some birds of prey and maybe a fox.
3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, IL (847) 824-8360

Peoria Flying Carp

Asian carp, imported to eat algae off catfish in farms down south, broke free and invaded the Mississippi River and its tributaries. These carp, which can weigh up to 100 pounds, eat near the surface and sometimes jump out of the water en masse.
The Fish and Wildlife service recently held a conference on flying carp in Peoria, a known hotspot. Their survey of the Peoria Pool--the Illinois River between s Starved Rock State Park to Illinois River Mile 223--has seen invasive carp numbers climb. In 2007 they found 236 bighead and silver carpand 60 silver “flying” carp jumped in the survey boat.
Around Peoria people have taken to shooting and bowhunting the carp.

Grateful Acres - MI

Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary is a permanent home for what they call misfit large farm animals, small exotics, parrots, rabbits, chickens, and a tortoise called "Gwennie." On summer weekends the animals get together for a petting zoo.
2108 102nd Ave, Otsego, MI

Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve

Sandhill Wildlife Area - WI

The 9,000 acre Sandhill Wildlife Area has a tiny herd of 15 bison in a 260-acre enclosure along the Trumpeter Trail. The original 12 bison were donated by farmer Wallace Grange, who originally owned the land.
Wisconsin manages the herd by selling off 2-4 bison each year.
1715 Hwy X, Babcock, WI, (715) 884-2437