Near the entrance are the Australian animal species like dingos, red kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, common wallaroos and laughing kookaburras.

The northeast corner of the zoo has the American black bear exhibit, snow leopards, Canada lynxes and the start of a nature trail which has a bald eagle aviary.

The Binda Conservation Center, features Linnaeus's two-toed sloths, amongst various reptile and amphibian species like the reticulated python and poison dart frogs.

The Conservation Carousel opened in 2007, and includes various popular zoo animals such as a polar bear, a tiger, and a bronco; the latter paying homage to the nearby Western Michigan University.

To get a closer view, there is a one way, 0.8-mile (1.3 km) loop that begins and ends in a small African themed village, selling souvenirs and food and beverages.

Other animals visible in the giraffe exhibit, at the overlook, are common ostriches, Grant's zebras, addaxes, waterbucks, bonteboks, addra gazelles, marabou storks, and cinereous vultures.