WAPELLO, Iowa — Some people would be surprised to see hyenas in Wapello — especially one as friendly as Topanga, one of the more famous animals living in DeWayne and Melinda Connolly’s Fairview Zoological Farm. The couple care for approximately 300 animals, and opened their farm up to the public in May to provide an educational experience for visitors.

 

Topanga’s big, toothy grin seems like a genuine reaction when DeWayne Connolly approaches her cage. The hand-raised hyena is comfortable around most people and has even been on the David Letterman show with well-known animal handler Jack Hanna, whom DeWayne Connolly has worked with many times.

 

“I’ve been to New York 36 times for animal shows and it’s been a good experience,” said Connolly, who calls his animals “ambassadors” for their species. “The main thing is to educate the public about these animals and the environment.”

 

The Connollys’ interest in animal handling began in 1981, through a friend, Paul Seabold of Keokuk, who ran a transport operation bringing animals to zoos.

 

DeWayne Connolly eventually took over his friend’s business and would bring home some animals to care for before they were taken to their new homes. Sometimes, zookeepers would ask Connolly to care for an animal at his farm.

 

Some animals stayed at the Connolly farm, and the family gained experience caring for adult animals  and hand-raising some of their babies for exhibitions and educational purposes.

 

The farm expanded to include birds, cattle and mammals.

On weekdays, DeWayne, 51, works at Tyson Foods in Columbus Junction and Melinda, 49, works at the Walmart warehouse in Mount Pleasant.  Their time off on weekends goes to opening the zoo to the public.

 

During the week, the zoo becomes a family operation with help from the couple’s children, son Tim, 30, and daughters Montana, 21, and Billi Jo, 28. Tim’s wife Amanda and Montana’s fiance, Travis, also pitch in. Even Tim’s 2-year-old daughter, Payton, lends a little helping hand by carrying George the tortoise on stage for the audience.

 

Visitors to the zoo are treated to a guided tour and an afternoon animal show. “When someone leaves here, we want them to know something about animals,” said DeWayne Connolly. From anteaters to Arctic foxes, the farm is home to animals from around the world. White buffalo, considered sacred by American Indians,  roam the farm’s grasslands, where prairie dogs also whoop and frolic. Several camels aren’t far off.

 

Connolly considers the zoo’s watusi steer, a species originally from Africa, one of the farm’s most impressive wild residents with with its seven-foot horn span, Whimsical lemurs of Madagascar peer back at guests with large, expressive eyes and the comical coati mundi of South and Central America almost seem like stuffed toys. The resident anteater is so docile, DeWayne can hold it in his arms.

 

Although his animals are used to people, DeWayne said he and his staff always use caution.

“We never go in the pens with them,” he said. “When we clean the cages, we transfer them to different areas.” He also doesn’t recommend keeping any wild animals as pets.

 

“I can’t believe this is here,” said farm guest Karla Kerr as she visited Saturday. Kerr, 36, brought her son Maverick Kerr, 6, and Annika Kerr, 2, to see the animals. Kerr said her family has traveled from coast to coast to see zoos and aquariums and she is thrilled a zoo is so close for her children. “I hope Maverick’s school class can come here for a field trip,” she said. 

 

Large groups, such as school classes are welcome at the zoo, said DeWayne Connolly, and can call ahead for accommodations and rates.

 

Copyright 2014 Muscatine Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.