COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (June 20, 2025) — Niabi Zoo is offering refuge to a growing number of animals in need, working alongside federal, state, and local agencies to rehome animals confiscated at US borders, removed from illegal or abusive private ownership, or displaced by facility closures.
In some cases, Niabi Zoo has served as a temporary custodian while criminal investigations proceed, a role known as "Chain of Custody" housing. In other cases, animals have joined the zoo’s collection on a permanent basis following legal resolution. To date, all animals taken in under these circumstances have remained in Niabi’s care.
“Providing a safe, stable environment for these animals is part of our responsibility as an accredited zoo,” said Lee Jackson, director of Niabi Zoo. “Thanks to our expert animal care team, veterinary staff, and flexible housing options, we’re able to step in and provide appropriate care when it’s urgently needed.”
The zoo has welcomed a variety of species through these efforts, including:
- Ibera tortoises
- Cane toads
- Anthony’s poison dart frogs
- Red-handed tamarins
- Central American red-backed squirrel monkeys
- Fennec fox
- Blue and gold macaws
Additional animals are currently pending transfer, including Nile monitors. Some animals remain confidential due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Not all new residents arrived through confiscation. Niabi Zoo recently rehomed two peacocks turned over by the Scott County Humane Society after they were found roaming the streets of Bettendorf. In addition, the zoo accepted several aquatic and amphibian species — including Asian small-clawed otters, White’s tree frogs, axolotls, and koi fish — following the permanent closure of a Minnesota-based aquarium.
“These cases highlight the importance of responsible animal stewardship and the role zoos can play in supporting both animal welfare and legal processes,” said Jackson. “We’re proud to partner with agencies that are working to uphold these standards.”
Visitors to Niabi Zoo can learn more about many of these animals throughout the summer. Niabi is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10AM-5PM, through October 26.
About Niabi Zoo
Niabi Zoo, which is operated by the Forest Preserve District of Rock Island County, offers an opportunity to explore more than forty acres in Coal Valley, Illinois, and discover more than 600 animals from around the world. The Zoo places great emphasis on educating people of all ages about the importance of conservation and how they can play a part in saving species and ecosystems for future generations. Niabi Zoo is working today to assure a better tomorrow for all living things. For more information about the Zoo, visit NiabiZoo.com. To learn more about the Niabi Zoo Foundation, visit Niabizoofoundation.com.
