Unfortunately, my children were not yet born when a couple of experts on animal behavior opened an incredible attraction in Hot Springs. In fact, I was still a child myself when their attraction closed. I’m mourning the closing of I.Q. Zoo, because it was a truly incredible place and I can’t believe I missed it. The married couple who opened I.Q. Zoo rewarded good behavior in common animals that we don’t consider terribly smart, and the results were absolutely stunning.
I.Q. Zoo was founded in 1955 by a married couple named Keller and Marian Breland. They met while working with psychologist B.F. Skinner. They assisted in training pigeons to guide missiles during World War II.
Wikimedia/Boston Public Library
The Brelands used a method called “operant conditioning” to train common animals to do extraordinary things. This chicken, for example, played baseball.
Wikimedia/Boston Public Library Tichnor Brothers Collection
They opened up the results of their training system to the public in Hot Springs, and they called their attraction I.Q. Zoo. People flocked from all over to see the exceptional zoo. In fact, I.Q. Zoo was so incredibly popular that it drew the attention of businesses like General Mills and Disney.
Facebook/IQ Zoo
Among the many, many things they trained their animals to do, they had a raccoon who could play basketball…
Wikimedia/Boston Public Library Tichnor Brothers Collection
…and a bunny who kissed on command.
Wikimedia/Boston Public Library Tichnor Brothers Collection
I.Q. Zoo closed in 1990, but eventually the internet came along to fill our need for incredible animals doing outrageous things. Still, there was nowhere in the world like I.Q. Zoo, which was the very first attraction of its type. To this day the unique zoo is still missed by many, though I’d venture to say not very many of us remember it.
Wikimedia/Boston Public Library Tichnor Brothers Collection
To see a raccoon play basketball and a duck play the piano, check out this video:
Wikimedia/Boston Public Library
Wikimedia/Boston Public Library Tichnor Brothers Collection
Facebook/IQ Zoo
For a bizarre attraction in Hot Springs that’s still around today, click here. If you want to see a list of interesting roadside attractions in the Natural State, check these out.
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