When Isaac Petersen, owner of The Reptile Zoo along Highway 2 in Monroe, announced that he would be shuttering the doors to his 7,000-square-foot menagerie, the ensuing media coverage had a surprising effect on the family-run establishment: visitors flocked to experience it one last time.
An iconic roadside attraction
The roadside attraction, featuring over 130 different reptiles, has been a hotspot since its opening in 1996. But the COVID-19 pandemic complicated things. Hit again with rising costs due to inflation, Petersen could not reconcile the amount of money it took to operate with the amount of money the zoo brought in.
The Reptile Zoo has been a Highway 2 landmark since 1996. (Image courtesy The Reptile Zoo)
A sudden surge in visitors
In August, Petersen announced the business would be closing. He was seeking $385,000 for all assets, excluding the land that housed the zoo. As the September 15 deadline for offers passed, he still didn’t have a buyer. However, in light of the overwhelming support and increased attendance – with some days seeing as many as four times the daily number of visitors compared to before his closure announcement – Petersen has diverted his headline-making plans.
Inside the 7,000-square-foot Reptile Zoo, where reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids are displayed.(Image courtesy The Reptile Zoo)
A temporary closure, not the end
“Things have changed because we’ve been so busy lately,” Petersen said. “We haven’t found a buyer. No one wants to take over. But the plan right now is on October 18, rather than just shutting down completely, we’re going to shut down for 2-4 weeks to do some deep cleaning. Move some things around to try to keep the place going. We just have to get to the point where we can afford at least one zookeeper. I just need to see how the numbers add up.”
The recent publicity has given Petersen hope for a future that remains uncertain. He described the venture as “riding a wave”, fighting each battle “six months at a time.” Petersen says he is eyeing a mid-November reopening following the temporary closure. Currently, the zoo is only open three days a week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, until October 18, when it will undergo a temporary shutdown.
Zoo owner Isaac Petersen with the zoo’s rare albino alligator. (Image courtesy The Reptile Zoo)
Meet the residents
According to their website, The Reptile Zoo is home to “the most extensive collection of reptiles on display in the Pacific Northwest.” This includes an albino alligator, a two-headed turtle, several pythons, a smattering of snakes, turtles, tarantulas, lizards, geckos, iguanas and, Petersen’s favorite, giant tortoises. Displacing some 100 creatures is not Petersen’s hope, but he’s prepared for the possibility.
Petersen’s favorite. (Image courtesy The Reptile Zoo)
Finding homes for the animals
“We have a list of people who are interested in the animals,” Petersen said. “I’m not going to be dumping any animals. If I don’t feel like you’re going to be able to house the animal or I don’t think you can do it in a safe way, I’m not going to sell or adopt an animal out if you’re going to get your arm bitten off.”
A copperhead snake is among the zoo’s 130 reptile species. (Image courtesy The Reptile Zoo)
A family legacy
Petersen, who humorously refers to his primary role in the company as “the poop-scooper”, knows a thing or two about animals. His father, Scott Petersen, opened The Reptile Zoo alongside his uncle nearly three decades ago. Scott, a zoologist and biology teacher, became “The Reptile Man” and continues to offer mobile zoo services with his daughter, April. A side operation, his son describes as a high-yield, low-overhead venture, “like running a taco truck versus a sit-down restaurant.” He has performed for over 800 schools, corporate parties and other events and was even featured on “Bill Nye the Science Guy.” Petersen says the possible zoo closure would not affect his father’s business as the two are entirely separate ventures.
The Reptile Man, Scott Petersen, shows a snapping turtle to a local elementary school. (Image courtesy The Reptile Zoo)
Balancing passion and parenthood
The Reptile Zoo has been a passion for Petersen since childhood, as one of seven kids who had the “bug for reptiles.” Petersen purchased the zoo from his father and uncle in 2012, after getting his degree in business administration. If the full closure does eventually happen, Petersen said he would “keep whatever [he] can’t find homes for,” but that he wants his “wife and kids to be the focus.” While the future of the zoo hangs in the air, Petersen is clear on his priorities.
“My kids are getting old, and I don’t get to spend much time with them. I don’t get to go on vacations with them. When I get home, it’s time to get down to business, making sure they do their homework. I become the drill sergeant. I want to be there as the fun dad too.”
