Exploring Detroit's Abandoned Zoo

Detroit, Michigan is home to beautiful Belle Isle, a fantastic island that offers lots of recreation and beauty for all. There was an entire zoo here until its closure in 2002. That zoo still remains today, hidden away from the public eye.
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#detroit #abandoned #mobileinstinct

[@MobileInstinct]

I decided to head up to the Detroit area for a little while. Glad I did, pretty cool area with lots of great history.

[@MichaelSmith-jv7zm]

Awesome love that movie...

[@SkyValleyStuff]

looks cool, i think the "tiny" cages were for monkeys

[@Sage20005]

Wait I live near Detroit and I didn’t know there was an abandoned zoo that is so cool

[@Sage20005]

Well there is good history and some pretty bad too like when the FDF fire truck was hit by a train good thing it was just the back of the truck

[@Sage20005]

Mobile Instinct was that a man down there or a bush

[@lavapix]

Judging by the writing on the walls the animals were quite the artists. It's great they gave them crayons and spray paint.

[@tashasmith6179]

Lol. If only..... 🤔🤔

[@julianmx13]

This needs more likes

[@SeekerGoOn2013]

Animals didn’t draw or paint those images! They were done By PEOPLE!!!!!!! 😧 That’s why it was closed down! The Horror!!

[@mufc3575]

@@SeekerGoOn2013 genius

[@MarzBlueSoul]

@@SeekerGoOn2013 you missed the joke

[@paulstan9828]

Like a scene out of Jurassic Park. Amazing how fast nature takes over.

[@mitchellsmith6772]

Paul Stan. Oh yeah, it’s a jungle all right...

[@jhhone]

Nature always wins!

[@OffbeatDiscoveries]

I thought the exact same!

[@CommandoIvan]

Right? Just with more tagging than I remember. As a matter of fact I don’t remember their being ANY tagging in the movies (sarcasm) Man Detroit has really gone to shit.

[@NickP]

Paul Stan Nature finds a way ..

[@neomonk5668]

Grew up in Detroit... spent many hours on Belle Isle and the zoo. What a shame to see it now. Looks like a scene from 30 years without people.

[@mikeh8416]

Looks like a lot of the rest of Detroit. Abandoned and destroyed.

[@doneown503]

what a waste, much of the structure could be reused elsewhere.

[@hammoud331]

Obviously you have not seen it lately

[@YourMomPussStink]

@@hammoud331 how it look now bro

[@dennymcfastlane8530]

@@hammoud331 The only reason that Belle Isle isn't totally into the toilet is because of the State of Michigan 30 year lease. If that wouldn't' have occurred, the Friends of Belle Isle Volunteers would not have been able to save it.

[@mikeymike758]

What a shame. You would think that part of the zoo could of been donated to the SPCA or used as an animal sanctuary?

[@danin3420]

Mikey Mike The state took over Belle Isle a few years back from the city of Detroit. It was a huge mess. Years and years of neglect! They are slowly bringing it back. There is an old aquarium that a nonprofit took over and they have been restoring it. I do think a sanctuary would be a great idea for this area. Good thinking!

[@terripebsworth9623]

My thoughts EXACTLY! I'm managing director of an animal sanctuary in Taiwan with about 500 animals. I was literally drooling watching that video and refurbishing it in my mind as the video progressed. Sooooo much wasted and much needed potential. Transport that my direction!

[@steveneirschele1179]

it wouldn't work due to the harse mi weather in the winter and when it was closed thier was to much crine on the island to the point now that the state police when the park closes they escort everyone off the island it has gotten alot better

[@macneoh7418]

It kinda is an animal sanctuary if you think about it.

[@kristybear100]

They have a nature center on Belle Isle where there are beautiful white deer that the public can hand feed, and the aquarium is spectacular. It's a lovely place with many activities.

[@rayhanes1347]

I remember being a kid on that wooden walkway. There was a tiger down there. Folks weren't too thrilled to go to this zoo when you had the much larger Detroit Zoo on Woodward in Royal Oak. Only looking back do folks miss this place.

[@rga1026]

My Great Grandfather was the curator here back in the 20s, in 2013 me and my family visited the site and even found his name in the ledgers left behind here. I wish I could've visited this place in its prime and also have gotten to meet him. I've been told we would've been good friends. Thanks for this extended tour!

[@traceydelfs2657]

As a native Detroiter, I was there many times as a child in the 90's. It was always a kinda sad and depressing zoo. Near the end they just had a hand-full of non exotic animals like albino deer, a couple alligators and some birds. There was one lonely tiger. Disgusting. Now it just looks creepy af, like an apocalyptic animal prison.

[@meesterJos]

Maybe if you could find footage from before the closure, so everyone could see what it was like in the old days.

[@lennartforsberg1519]

You can google Detroit¨s old zoo and see some old pics.

[@ericferguson68]

Here ya go. May 1st, 1990: Opening day for the season kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX7QiHWZa8eshNU

[@1L6E6VHF]

I have some Super 8 footage from about 1995, about 30 seconds.

[@ericferguson68]

@Darscabins : I don't know why it closed. I can guess, though.

[@editingreality4779]

Lennart Forsberg there is also the Detroit Zoo and then Belle Isle. I hate zoos, to think animals are caged up. It's not right.

[@MaineWolverine]

Thanks for the video! My parents took my brother, sister and I there in the late 1960's - early 1970's when it was the children's zoo. I remember we had a little red plastic elephant key that you put into a box and turned at the animal exhibits and the box would tell a story about that particular animal. Of course the children's zoo looked nothing then like now. There were no raised walkways, it was clean and open and not overgrown at all. You would walk around on concrete walkways and it just was a totally different place. I have very fond memories of the zoo and didn't know it closed.

[@BluntLord2010]

Lmao, my mom just found her red elephant key from the 60's.

[@jamesjarrait2231]

The red elephant keys, I don't believe, ever worked at the Belle Isle location. They were for The Detroit Zoo, which is still there and going strong just north of Detroit in Royal Oak and Huntington Woods.

[@MaineWolverine]

James, you very well may be right. We went to both zoos at that time. I thought the red elephant keys also worked at the children's zoo but it may have just been the Detroit Zoo as you say. Thanks for clarifying. It's funny that I remember those little red plastic keys all these years later.

[@mav48185]

The key was for the Detroit zoo lol. I faintly remember coming here. It's been that long

[@lkern6238]

"All the animals live in the zoo, they're jumping up and down for you." I remember those keys...

[@sixgun080]

My wife and I went on our first date there 35 years ago

[@ed6431]

How? It opened 29years ago - 1990!! 😂😂

[@waynejedynak9443]

@@ed6431 I went there in the early sixties, the other comment was about opening day. They shut it down for the winter.

[@ed6431]

@@waynejedynak9443 oh 😊 it's a shame it closed down permanently it looks like quite a nice little area for a zoo

[@douggief1367]

@@ed6431 maybe they camped before it was a zoo

[@dlbstl]

@@ed6431 I think he said it opened in the 1890s

[@nyrngrs15]

I remember going there as a kid with my family that is from the Detroit area. Thanks for,sharing

[@kiyaprt.2864]

I live in Detroit . and I never seen this zoo a day in my life 😭 dang .

[@richardrogers5973]

It was amazing in the early 90's

[@baconluffer]

I went there as a kid with my mom and dad. She has photos of me looking down at the tigers. 😻 It’s so covered up that when you drive through Belle Isle all you see is just some old wood. Lol.

[@3katfox]

Right? I never even heard of this place, and we went to the aquarium on belle isle a thousand times

[@mikechapman6575]

You weird

[@kiyaprt.2864]

Kat Fox right!

[@Nunya_Bidnez]

Bell Island Zoo. Use to go there when I was just 6 years old. So sad. Went last year. The Island has a rich history. In the 1900's It had everything you could want. Like everything.

[@rongodlewski4154]

Did you go on pony rides.

[@rongodlewski4154]

My Dad took me there 1953 to 1960. Beautiful memories

[@Nunya_Bidnez]

@@rongodlewski4154 Can't recall but i did see a Lama give birth.

[@hockeymom49721]

I think this is where my brother and I had either a camel or elephant ride here back probably around 1978.

[@rickfromvirginia]

You definitely have the knack for finding some awesome Places. It's a shame that Property didn't get turned in to something else. So sad to see it deteriorated like that. Thanks for sharing! Your doing an awesome job! Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures!

[@chrismaurer2075]

Rick From Virginia You should have seen the island before the state took over, it was a shithole like the rest of the city.

[@eronacalloway9159]

A shame that MILLIONS of dollars in construction wound up going to waste☹️

[@David53D]

It wasn't totally wasted as some clever politicians benefited.

[@vince1638]

Yes and its taxpayers dollars that pay for this study! Money ripped out of the hands of working class people. This is why Governments should not be in the Entertainment business. If there was money to be made in it, private enterprise would do it!

[@danbowen710]

Considering the zoo had been around since the late 19th century, I'd say they had a pretty good run

[@ilahildasissac1943]

I agree.

[@tannerradunski770]

It’s Detroit, what do you expect?

[@manuelmejia7568]

A city dies when its cultural icons are abandoned.

[@zeusapollo8688]

Ahh but the new zoo is very nice

[@jamesjarrait2231]

The zoo on Belle Isle was never a cultural icon. You're thinking of The Detroit Zoo to the north of the city. Still there, fully operating.

[@zeusapollo8688]

And very nice

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

@@jamesjarrait2231 I grew up over the river on the south side of Detroit. I was getting the two zoos mixed up thanks for making that clear to me. Did you know you can drink the water right off Belle Isle. I heard that years ago. I guess the sand filters the water and it's drinkable a foot or so off shore. I wouldn't want to try it but just saying :) Peace

[@macneoh7418]

Or when Democrats run it

[@thomasmunn4751]

I grew up in (& around) Detroit in the 70's/80's & visited Belle Isle many, many times (including the Zoo, the Aquarium, the Botanical Garden, the Giant Slide, the Fountain, etc). I took my family there back around 2000 to visit my family. It's seem like forever ago and just yesterday (at the same time)... I loved going there & I loved taking the boat down to Boblo Island amusement park (Gone now too, I think). Hard to think some of those things are part of a bygone era... Like so many other places in the country (and the world), Detroit is winding its way through the years, evolving with the times & just trying to make it through... I've always been proud to say I grew up in (& around) Detroit! (Check out: 149 Davenport - a.k.a. The Davenport). My Grandma (Stella Scott) managed The Davenport for about 30 years. It fell into disrepair, but was renovated as part of the Cass Corridor Project. (I was so glad to see that)... The Spirit of Detroit is alive & well!

[@bobbyspapercraft]

Awesome find. Very interesting. Laughed aloud at the O.J comment when you came across the glove. Thanks for another great adventure

[@jshaw4757]

"If the glove dont fit....."

[@starsha227]

Born and raised in Detroit, great video. Im not brave enough to go in an abandoned building/area ever.

[@raptorgames9]

You should try to get footage of the places you explore when they were in operation and then show them abandoned. Great video! Always an adventure!!!!👍😊

[@tmntforever2684]

Chris it's certainly a zoo for nature now I hope the animals where all re homed in a nicer zoo with lots more space

[@sysygy100]

P.S. - Yes, it was a fine video and I was particularly impressed with how smoothly your camera operated as you walked! Thank you and I'm very glad I've subscribed to your videos!

[@STARTFLEETTACTICALOPS]

I live in Windsor, Ontario and as a child in the 80's my family would take us kids there. Best fun ever. I do miss the huge yellow slide which you would have to use a carpet to slide down it. The last time I was there with my family was 1988. Love the video and thanks for the awesome memories. Much love and respect from Canada.

[@chaundawalker6741]

"The Giant Slide" good memories

[@71grayghost]

I love when he says smells like old animals oh these are the bathrooms not too much difference folks 😳

[@Corinthians-kjv]

Why are you being negative?

[@amandalea3847]

Your videos are so smooth and easy to watch! Thanks ☺

[@MobileInstinct]

Thanks Amanda

[@ECsponger2]

Of all the abandoned place videos Ive seen, I don't think I've seen an abandoned zoo video. Kudos, this is freakin' awesome ! !

[@kathycagg6531]

Thanks Chris! I was a zoo docent for 13 years so this was especially interesting to me. I made some educated guesses on what was housed in various areas. That big concrete area viewed from the wooden walkway where you said that was where the animals hung out would have very likely been a shallow wading pool probably for wading water fowl like flamingoes and storks, maybe with some turtles thrown in.

[@josephcarlson4969]

Bruh I miss that zoo so much. Damn Kwame Kilpatrick closed it down. In fact he wanted to auction off all the animals at the Detroit zoo in Royal Oak. Not to mention wanted to auction off all of the art work from the DIA. Our sad recent history. I want someone to bring my zoo from my childhood back to life.

[@1L6E6VHF]

IIRC, I believe that the state government (under GOP control at the time) wanted to sell off artwork. Irrelevant, since it wasn't a municipal entity in the first place. It was and is owned by a foundation. Getting back to the main subject: This video is not of the famous Detroit Zoological Park (in southeast Oakland County). The subject of this video was a smaller zoo on Belle Isle (an island in the Detroit River). It was also called the Childrens Zoo. Most of Detroit's population had never heard of that zoo.

[@ricj7517]

Love your videos,Mobile..Keep 'em coming buddy!

[@visionaccomplished6565]

I use to go as a child, i always thought it was the most beautiful place . the wooden bridges that allowed you to almost walk through the animals. also driving through the park and watching the dear roam free. thank you so much for showing

[@debbiebynum9515]

You made my day. I love it when I get to start it with another of your videos. Thanks again.

[@p4ndasr0ck]

Love your videos man, really relaxing to watch, just letting the footage speak for itself not trying to over-hype everything like some other abandoned channels :D

[@kre81960]

Many years of corrupt city government created waste. But, our fine city has renovated many areas & Detroit is so much better than it used to be! It would be wonderful to add this area to the list.

[@tb718w]

It was great before.

[@withlovvve7950]

They city won’t fix it up. The state took it over for 30 years. We shall see what will happen when that time is up.

[@adriankepler5254]

With LOVVVE The city’s regained control

[@adriankepler5254]

Maxima Someone haven’t been down town

[@withlovvve7950]

TeaSis The city have not gained control. Seventeen years I been with the city.... employees were sent to other departments when the state took it over. The city gave it to them for 30 years. If you work there AND for the city there’s a grievance to be written

[@ejones610]

I grew up going to this zoo...so many memories made here. Thanks for sharing.

[@Tazzman225]

I remember going to the zoo a lot as a kid. I loved the Electronic Storybooks they had outside of the animal display area. You could buy a zoo key and turn it on. They were plastic and came in different colors. I still have my red and green ones.

[@jamesjarrait2231]

Was that the Belle Isle zoo or the Detroit Zoo to the north?

[@Tazzman225]

@@jamesjarrait2231 --- That was on Belle Isle. I do not recall the other zoo have those Electronic Storybooks. I preferred the Bello Isle Zoo just for those.

[@jamesjarrait2231]

The Tazzman The Detroit Zoo in Oakland county definitely had those. They were removed many years ago. The "other" zoo is older and still amazing.

[@Tazzman225]

@@jamesjarrait2231 --- According to this video, the other zoo closed. I prefer the original one compared to the remodeled version.

[@RandySchartiger]

you rock dude! thanks for bring us along, always enjoy your videos!

[@IntrepidMilo]

I find it interesting how in only 17 years nature has almost completely erased all traces of the zoo. I cannot help but compare this video to the video of you at the old Los Angeles zoo.

Almost completely erased? I don't know how you come to that conclusion. That will take at least another hundred years.

[@twokooks6913]

What an amazing find this place is, so lucky to be able to explore somewhere like this! We’ve explored a few abandoned places but yet to discover an abandoned zoo. Great video! 😃

[@anonymous-zn5em]

I love watching videos of old places being explored. I always ask myself, what is wrong with young people nowadays that causes them to damage, deface and vandalize anything they come in contact with. What a shame.

[@Aly9315]

I agree

[@Bblaze1021]

Literally my favorite zoo I’ve ever been to when it was open.

[@poke_cactushobby3780]

I always wanted to explore the old zoo. Looks really cool from outside of it.

[@jadesmom5864]

First, that’s not a Lake, it’s the Detroit River that separates Michigan, USA 🇺🇸 from Canada 🇨🇦. I’ve probably been on every square inch of that Island, including the Zoo when I was a young kid, and then took my kids there when they were young. I’ve been fishing, swimming, picnicking, watched the Detroit Fireworks, watched the boat races, been in the Aquarium, and the Horticultural Building. Amazing place with amazing people. But the animals didn’t have such a great life there now that I’m old and look back. One of my kids freaked out watching that giant spider eating a bird. Great video, thanks for taking me back down Memory Lane.

[@rubyd3745]

Thank you for the update on a small part of my childhood memories.

[@richardkarl2238]

Fascinating tour of what's left of the zoo. Unfortunately only visited it once as a kid...hope you have a chance to explore the rest of Belle Isle. The park and museum are pretty cool. Welcome to Michigan by the way and Thank you for sharing!

[@MobileInstinct]

I also checked out the aquarium and arboretum. It's a great place to spend a day.

[@waynechernick3526]

Since the debates are this weekend in Detroit I suggest free admission for all participating candidates.

[@cyberdodominisquish3497]

"This is all Trumps fault! All I see here is the Evil of the Republican Party! Vote for ME! I'll fix everything, and make Trump pay for it!!"

[@hannahgrace7302]

💀💀💀💀

[@zach1810]

What a fun explore. The behind the scenes of zoos does look a lot like a prison. That is something most guests don't get to see. Great find. Looking forward to more like this.

[@adventureswithchristian6967]

Love how you find these places that no one else can find. With all the abandoned places you show nature always wins in the end. Thank you

[@rick49721]

That was really interesting! I remember going to Belle Isle back in the early 80s, but I don’t remember the Zoo being there.

[@68air]

How did the animals learn to operate spray cans?

[@patriciamunsch3920]

Id like to see it before the pos sprayed trash all over the walls.

[@johndelvisco4528]

68air,,,,,IT'S a different kind of animal but in many regards, very much the same

[@shawnshawn972]

No it wasn't animals it was teen age people with spray can sweetie

[@paragonnina]

Shawn Shawn no shit shawn... that’s the joke. i think i’ve spotted a boomer. that, or a complete dumbass

[@68air]

@@paragonnina Probably all the soy in their diets makes the animals creative.

[@maryranch5329]

This was amazing to watch, thank you so much for your video on this!

[@MarksKicksOnRoute66]

You have the most soothing voice of any one I follow. Your videos and commentary is on point.

[@mollymontgomery8837]

I really like watching video's on Detroit.just to think how thriving that city was before the big recession kicked in.i liked to no what happened to all the animals.God bless Detroit blessings from New Zealand ❤💕

[@srabchun]

Molly Montgomery since Detroit emerged from bankruptcy in 2013, it has come a long way. It still has a way to go. But what has been done so far, it’s becoming an amazing place. Thanks for rooting for our city all the way from New Zealand. 😉

[@csnyder820]

When you're exploring these places do you ever get a feeling of not being alone or just overall creepiness that has made you leave?

[@Aly9315]

I'm curious too.

[@Xandralarson]

I explored this zoo and other buildings he has, normally it’s just fun like the zoo wasn’t scary at all or I didn’t feel like anything was there with us. Of course there will be the normal creeps of the woods at night but the zoo is fun to explore. The only time I felt not alone was when exploring an abandoned insane asylum

[@sid.herrmann]

@@Xandralarsonstg some mf was on his 4s in the northville abandoned hospital

[@jdavid118]

My dad would take me for a ride around the zoo in his van while he had a few drinks. Ahh , childhood memories. .. thanks for the video

[@AquaKittiTarot]

Thank you for showing this! I went here as a child. Fascinating!

[@waynejoey2842]

Seems like a lot of money, effort and expertise went into the building of the zoo, probably enjoyed by many. Shame it had to close

[@OffbeatDiscoveries]

so true

[@barbatloosenutproductions2027]

Oh no. The real Detroit zoo is in Royal Oak Michigan. It's drop dead gorgeous! No cages, large exhibit areas for the animals to roam around. Polar bears swimming & wandering around, & a huge penguinarem that runs two stories deep! Too much stuff to list here!

[@seandelfin]

why doesn't anyone ever ask why it's ok to leave shit like this? why aren't there laws governing that?

[@Milan-qs5pz]

Barb at Loose nut productions that’s not the Detroit zoo if it’s in royal oak lmao bye

[@tcwhite0104]

@@Milan-qs5pz yes the Detroit Zoo is actually in Royal Oak Michigan.

[@willwonka1325]

What a miserable existence that must have been as an exhibit in that hellhole. Thankfully closed. Love the steady cam

[@jacob_ian_decoursey_the_author]

Yeah I'm not a fan of zoos in general. There should be more animal sanctuaries and wildlife rehabs instead.

[@DoubleDogDare54]

Try checking out the lives wild animals live, being killed by predators, weather, disease and injury. Having three squares a day and not having to worry about getting eaten alive ain't a half bad deal if you are a tiger or zebra.

[@TR5T]

Part of my childhood, there was a petting zoo as you walked in and a moon seat where you got your pictures taken. Great place many memories. The aquarium was amazing just down the road, it was next to the plant house. There is a fountain that used to change colours at night right at the end of the Isle.

[@latoyaboyd3754]

Thanks for exploring my city Belle zoo use to really thrive I had many field trips here.

[@user-dt3rj8qm3k]

Another great video. Thanks.

[@fcl1998]

Was there in the 90's. It was the place to see on Belle Isle. Can't remember when, but two years running a bear escaped the zoo and swam to Canada before getting caught and returned.

[@xdanbo1859]

IIRC, after the second time the bear was released into the wild.

[@rsisler102383]

Being from Detroit, it's amazing and sad to see the Zoo like that. My family and I visited the zoo the last year it was opened. Thanks for making this, I've always wondered what happened to the place.

[@peggyconverse7622]

I used to take my kids there after school. It was closer than the main zoo at 11 and Woodward. Right there on Belle Isle..then we would go to thhe aquarium and the "Plant house". On the way home, stop at Church's Chicken there on Jefferson and the Belle Isle bridge..good times!

[@janegilmore102]

Peggy Converse Could they at least turn it into a park?

[@peggyconverse7622]

This zoo is on a small island on the Detroit River and the entire island IS a park. Up until recently, the island was free to go to and was considered a "jewel" of the city. Then the punks and gangs came along all but taking over the island and the island was no longer safe for families to go to. This what " helped" the zoo die. People were frightened to go to the island. Then about 15 years ago, with state of Michigan Dept of Parks and Recreation took over. They started charging an admittance fee..and lo and behold..the island started reversing itself. Now the garbage and litter has been greatly reduced, and slowly the island is coming back to the beauty it once was. Belle Isle is one of the most beautiful places in Detroit to go to. You could write an entire book just on the history of the Island.

[@kerryg4119]

It is sad that a place like this gets abandoned and amazing at how fast the vegetation can take over. Like in many of your videos of abandoned places (which are very cool videos) the vandalism is unreal. So sad that people find it fun to destroy things. Some of this could be reused but it is so vandalized, it probably is beyond the cost of repair if someone was to want to revive it. Sometimes when you are walking through places like this, I just wait for the camera to pan around and a face pop up. That would freak me out!!

[@sarabeescutflowersmore795]

I assume you've been to the Packard plant, American motors and GM assembly (all abandoned)... So much to explore here in Detroit.

[@ericjohn8466]

That's what i said!!! Or the train station, the remnants of the Heidelberg project etc.

[@johnboys4697]

Sounds like everybody else should’ve abandon Detroit with the way this looks and with the places you mention

[@johnboys4697]

tapedeck hero and who do you rent to there? Section 8 ??

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

@@johnboys4697 I work downtown everyday. Its progressing.

[@paherbst524]

Detroit is a gem. Unique and awesome.

[@cathybarney495]

This was great place to take little ones full of fun animals Love see it up again ..

[@covertops.]

Excellent videography. Thanks!

[@damagedgoods8450]

Chris, Welcome to Metro Detroit. You should if traded in your Chicago Cubs baseball hat for a Detroit Tigers hat. Great video, lots of history behind the old Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle. I really enjoy watching all your videos on both your channels. Let me know if you're interested in connecting while you're in the Detroit area.

[@ericmcquiston9473]

I wonder what happened to that zoo ? Great job Chris ! can't wait for the next video.

[@meltedicecreamsandwich]

No money to maintain it so they had to close it

[@robertfitzgerald1591]

Awesome video, I've lived my whole life here , 48 years , and never knew it was ever there, what a shame , looked nice at one time!

[@aquariousstar]

Thank you for that. I remember going there as a child, with my mom, the memories come back.

[@rumrunner1756]

Thank you for another great video. Nature reclaims what man discards.I am so happy that I subscribed. 👍☮️

[@craighuxtable746]

Thanks for the great video. I'm surprised a lot of the wood and metal hasn't been salvaged and repurposed in some way.

[@reesecapone1942]

This video is amazing it brings back so many memories I remembered walking on wooden bridges at bell island but I couldn’t remember where they where I was really young.

[@KR-sh6rm]

Very interesting and well done video! Thanks for sharing!

[@paragonnina]

*so sad... i remember going here when i was four years old for my first field trip. the longer i live in this city, the more depressing it becomes.*

[@OffbeatDiscoveries]

Every time you go walking over wooden walkways or structures, I cringe! Have you ever taken a misstep in your explorations? Please be careful!

[@TheGlampingGuys]

Really cool video Chris! You find the most surreal and unique places. Really love your channel. It always make me happy when I get my notification that you posted a new video. They never disappoint. This one especially. The drone flyover views of the walkway are awesome! Love how everything just grows and takes over. When I watch your videos, I imagine what it must have been like when it was open and full of lively people having fun. You are one brave man going up on the wooden walkways and into those areas that had the squatters. I hope you have someone there with just in case something was to happen, or at least your cell phone. LOL! Scary! I'd be worried about running into some horrific human/animal hybrid. LOL! Just kidding. Really neat information about the movie Real Steel. This Zoo definitely has that movie set vibe for sure. Thanks for sharing such a cool video Chris. YOU ROCK! Peace & Love! Have a Glamazing Day! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜❤️🧡

[@richardrogers5973]

😲Wow!! 27years ago.Nothing but great memories as a child.😰 Thanks for sharing✌

[@wileycoyote5834]

It's sad that people trespass and tear these places up.....

[@guss6469]

Why?

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

I re-pipe a lot of these type of locations. Some should be knocked down, some can be saved. It all depends.

[@emmehtehtem1244]

I think it would be so cool to see a man built structure that no human has touched in 20 years, to see how nature would reclaim it, see how it looked without graffiti and squatters.

[@Corinthians-kjv]

Where will the homeless sleep then?

[@Corinthians-kjv]

@@Mr.PepeSilvia what about the wiring?

[@andreawood4255]

I lived in Detroit as a kid and I don't remember the zoo, however my parents used to take my sister and me out to the island to see and feed the bears (so I guess that was part of the zoo). Their enclosure was outside and stood alone by itself. There were always lots of people there and the bears would 'perform' to get the most food thrown to them. One bear was so famous that when he died it made the front page of the newspapers.

[@journeywithjay]

Amazing video bro!!!! Love how the plants took everything over

[@amberdamber7]

I like playing your videos in the background while I work. It's nice to hear someone talking with respect about the sites he looks at (instead of a bunch of "Bruh! No way!" nonsense).

[@earlyearl7262]

The part were he was standing in a open field use to be the lion enclosure! I remember it like yesterday

[@dmac3551]

Early Earl on their way to another 6-10 season..

[@nighthiker8872]

Been there 40 years ago now live in Texas, great place.

[@flamingstag2381]

i,m amazed like so many others toward the waste & the attitude within the u.s.a ! thanks again & keep up ur xlnt work !

[@Swalalalyssa]

Detroit is great! Love Belle Isle. Detroit Native here 🙌🏽

[@mholden25]

I died laughing when you said, “OJ.”

[@ayecarumba4928]

10:19

[@gailtasky2076]

I've been away from detroit for many years and had no idea this zoo is abandoned. I grew going to the Belle Isle Zoo!

[@starkconplays]

That’s really weird if someone was actually living there imagine exploring and there’s just a guy laying on his sleeping bag drinking a gallon of water, that would be creepy for sure haha

[@Sage20005]

Well if there was he would probably be crazy

[@elizabeth1703]

Starkcon Plays happens all the time in abandoned places

[@MrThenry1988]

Probably not water.

[@troy6679]

Homeless dude be like well it’s not abandoned I live here

[@Emiliapocalypse]

Tim Henry his own urine.

[@ed6850]

I love this. I hope you checked yourself for ticks though. Great vid Chris.

[@OffbeatDiscoveries]

I thought the same!

[@Adam202]

I have mentioned this to you before, but I really do enjoy what you are doing! Thanks for sharing this wonderful history. I'm glad that you have enjoyed your time in my home state of Michigan. Michigan is home to some beautiful places and so much history. I would suggest that you checkout Northern Michigan as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan too at some point in your travels. There is no where else in the world that I would rather be than up north in Michigan. That is where I have vacationed whenever I can since a kid, and it just means so much to me. Cheers mate, and safe travels.

[@repeatitwithme4481]

Cool zoo. Luv it when the proper equipment is purchased to shoot videos. 👍🏼

[@LasVegas68]

Great video! Too bad the zoo shut down, must have been nice back in the day.

[@sexyladyakb]

Choose your steps wisely.. goes for the cracked board

[@NEEKZ81]

😂

[@autumnleaf6555]

This reminds me of a program "Life after people" where the nature takes over and buries everything manmade. Over time even the animals are gone due to lack of resources. Scary. Your video is so interesting, I was glued to my little I-pad. Thank you, keep going.

[@carolynbradford7415]

I can't tell you how many times I've been here too many to count. Great memories

[@pbrsteve5974]

2:04 your standard horror movie jump scare

[@Pantheragem]

I recognized it from "Real Steel". Love that movie.

[@janegilmore102]

Pantheragem Same, though I just love anything Hugh Jackmans is in LoL. There are probably films the US haven’t seen with Hugh in them. Made in the outback of Aussie. Very gifted man

[@justinayers6194]

I worked that set, I got to spend a week hanging out there.

[@Jposey]

Justin Ayers how was that?

[@RhondaA]

Yep. Atom vs Metro.

[@Pantheragem]

@@justinayers6194 That's awesome.