Lake Superior Zoo Unveils Steel Mesh Raven Habitat

A new steel mesh habitat now houses common raven Aleister and North American porcupine Spike at the Lake Superior Zoo.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Wildlife

Large steel mesh enclosure set among birch and conifer trees on a grassy rise under soft overcast light with a distant lake haze. — The Lake Superior Zoo unveiled a new steel mesh habitat on November 3 for common raven Aleister and North American porcupine Spike, replacing chewed-through nylon netting. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Lake Superior Zoo unveiled a new exhibit for common raven Aleister and North American porcupine Spike on November 3, 2026. The habitat replaces a nylon mesh that squirrels and chipmunks had chewed through, and the animals had been out of public view for a little over a year.

Why it matters

The upgrade addresses safety concerns for the animals caused by the chewed-through nylon enclosure. Both animals are rehab animals that cannot be released back into the wild, so the zoo will house them for the rest of their lives.

The new habitat uses a knit steel mesh in place of the nylon mesh that was chewed through by squirrels and chipmunks. The steel mesh is expected to last for the animals' lifetimes.

The players

Lake Superior Zoo

The Duluth zoo is a regional animal-care institution that houses rehabilitated wildlife unable to return to the wild.

The details

Aleister came to the zoo from a Michigan rehab facility after an injury and is unable to fly. Keepers marked the reopening with enrichment, feeding Spike a breakfast of collard greens, apples, sweet potato, and biscuits.

Over a year before the reopening, Spike and Aleister were last out on exhibit.
November 3, 2026: The new exhibit was unveiled at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth.

Culture Shift

The switch from nylon to steel mesh reflects a broader move among animal facilities toward materials that resist gnawing wildlife. It marks a practical departure from earlier enclosure designs.

Duluth residents who visit the Lake Superior Zoo can now see Aleister and Spike in the renovated habitat. The steel mesh design means the animals are better protected from rodents that previously broke through the enclosure.

The takeaway

Steel mesh habitats offer a durable option for keeping wildlife secure when rodents can chew through softer materials. Visitors planning a trip to the Lake Superior Zoo can check its exhibit schedule for updates on these animals.