Walking through the Open Space today and wandering over to Clinch Park, it likely surprises visitors and new residents alike to discover that the grounds were once home to bears, mountain lions, otters, peacocks and more — all cared for by the staff of Traverse City's Clinch Park Zoo. Yes, this little Up North getaway was home to an impressive animal experience. But how did it get here…and why did it go?

We spoke with Jen Loup, a former zookeeper at Clinch Park Zoo and fellow board member of mine at the Traverse Area Historical Society, along with Tracy Mikowski, former head zookeeper at Clinch Park, as well as author of "Squirt the Otter: The True Story of an Orphaned Otter Who Finds Friendship and Happiness," available from Talking Crow Publishing.