Wildlife

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s 7,059 acres of parkland and water provide habitat to dozens of land- and water-based wildlife species. We share our park spaces with everything from owls to opossums, cranes to coyotes, and turkeys to turtles.

Park patrons should not be alarmed at the presence of wildlife as they are a natural part of our parks. To minimize negative interactions with wildlife in the parks, keep your pets on a leash and do not feed or approach any wildlife. Most wild animals keep their distance from people — and you should keep your distance from wildlife. Please keep wildlife wild.

When issues with wildlife arise or human health is at risk, the MPRB consults with professionals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as needed.

If wildlife is showing aggression towards humans, please keep away and leave them alone. If you feel threatened by wildlife, please call 911.