CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
Reptile Gardens opened back up on February 28 after a devastating fire rocked not only the popular long-time Rapid City attraction, but the entire state of South Dakota. “The fire was absolutely heartbreaking for our staff,” said president and CEO Joe Maierhauser . “They had invested years in raising and caring for some of those animals. They knew them all as individuals and loved them.” A fire was first reported around 1:30 a.m. on November 21 at a detached agricultural shelter. Investigators dubbed the cause as "undetermined electrical,” and 80-90 of African spur- thighed and red-footed tortoises and American Alligators were lost.
Orville , a 120-year-old tortoise was unharmed, along with a few other “gentle giants,” Tank , Samson , and their younger cousins Kenny , Peabody , and Hugo as they were in separate buildings. Maierhauser says the outpouring of love and concern after the fire was overwhelming. “We heard from people all over the United States and the world,” he said. “We received kind gift boxes from other zoos. Many offered to help in any way they could.”
The locals were the most “amazing.”
“We always knew people were fond of Reptile Gardens, but maybe had not realized how much people in this area saw us as part of their family and their family's lives,” said Maierhauser.
FAMILY ISSUE april 2026
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