Searching for Bassquatch: A Partnership That Promotes Discovery, Conservation

By Mike McKinstry, Guest Author

It’s a colder day with light rain. One of those days that feels like a mist is in the air everywhere you turn. The temperature drops from a warm day to a slightly cloudy one, with temperatures almost requiring a light jacket. Being at the Detroit Zoo on a day like this may seem less favorable to most, but for my girlfriend Madison and me, it was perfect. The attendance was lower than usual due to the change in the weather. Some of the animals went into their habitats for shelter from the rain. Some animals came out to enjoy the misting. This is where the beauty began.

It felt like we had the Zoo to ourselves. We walked from end to end holding hands — no cares in the world. The wonder and adventure of the Zoo took on a new meaning for us both. The animals seemed to come out just for us. There were no crowds of people that we would impede by stopping to admire any part of the Zoo. We were able to fall in love with the Zoo in a whole new way. On this day, the Zoo was a place of adventure and peace. At that moment, I began to explain to Madison how beautiful it was and how the animals all seemed more beautiful that day, how the work that the Zoo does is mostly unknown to the average visitor. That was when Madison looked at me and said, “Why don’t you film an episode with the Zoo and show off what they actually do behind the scenes?” Lightbulb moment. This was a great idea.

As we rounded the habitat for the bears, who seemed to be watching us as we watched in awe of them, we noticed an employee on a covered golf cart. A simple wave slowed her down enough for me to ask if there was someone I could talk to about a project. I was very politely given an email contact for the Zoo. I began typing with excitement before I even returned to the walkway. My passion for conservation, exploration and animals was exuding from every letter I typed.

This is the story of how I learned about the Zoo in a whole new way and how we began a long-lasting partnership to share adventures and inspire others to find their passions with the Detroit Zoo and my television show on the Discovery Channel.

When I first started my platform, “The Bassquatch Hunter,” I adopted the slogan: “Always take care of the water you touch, the fish you catch and the people you meet.” This was my way of reminding viewers that we should always respect and take care of everything we come in contact with while on adventures. Between river and lake cleanups, safely releasing the fish we catch and ensuring I leave a positive impact on as many people as possible, I made sure my mission was at the forefront of my work.

In our show, we take guests fishing for their first time, and then I dive into their worlds to learn about the special nature of their career and how they chased their dreams — just like I did. Working with the Detroit Zoo would be a perfect fit for my mission and what I want to share with my viewers, truly inspiring them to find their passion and chase it.

Fast forward a year, and we were able to film an incredible first episode with the Detroit Zoo and the zookeeper who cared for the penguins at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. This was no ordinary episode for us. This one was personal. This one was emotional. This one was important.

Filming with Bird Supervisor Lindsay and the penguins gave us the opportunity to share what the Zoo is all about, how the animals are wonderfully cared for, and how the work that the Zoo does has a real-world, positive impact on the species. We couldn’t stop there.

The next season, we filmed with Zookeeper Stephanie in the giraffe habitat. Here, we learned about the work that the Zoo does worldwide to educate and advocate for the protection of species. The work outside of the Zoo for the giraffe species was vast and incredible. And, of course, it is never a bad day working with penguins and giraffes and taking new guests fishing. Our viewers have been so impressed with what they have been shown that we even had a fan come to the Zoo, and we set up a one-on-one moment with a zookeeper so she could learn more about chasing that career path herself.

To our surprise, the episode featuring the penguins also caught the attention of the Academy Awards, and we earned our fifth EMMY nomination and won our first EMMY at the Michigan Regional EMMY awards. This was not just due to the adorable penguins or our very talented crew that made the episode — it was mostly due to the story of what the Detroit Zoo does behind the scenes. When the curtain was pulled back and we were able to share the story of the penguins, their zookeepers, and the research and conservation work, a beautiful story was revealed and told. This is the magic of the Detroit Zoo.

You may see the magic dust sprinkled throughout as you explore the property, but in our show, we have been able to share the story of the magicians themselves and the work that goes into making the place so special and meaningful. The impact made at the Zoo is felt worldwide, and being able to share that and learn about it myself is the most rewarding journey I could be a part of.

I highly recommend on your next visit to the Zoo, don’t just go to see the animals. Ask a zookeeper about their work and pay attention to the efforts that take place inside. Look deeper beyond just the visuals on the surface, into the depth of knowledge you can take away. You never know where a trip to the Zoo can take you. It is amazing where a rainy day at the Zoo led me.

Watch full episodes of the show on Discovery, Discovery +, YouTube and BASSQUATCH.com.

Mike McKinstry is a regional Emmy® Award–winning host of the groundbreaking fishing series The Bassquatch Hunter:Fish out of Water, the first kayak fishing show to earn an Emmy in history. Passionate about inspiring the next generation of anglers, Mike works with more than 3,000 kids every summer, teaching them how to fish, encouraging outdoor adventure, and sharing his published children’s books from his The Adventures of Seth Squatch series.

Beyond the screen, Mike’s dedication to community service has earned him recognition across the outdoor industry and beyond. Through youth programs, charity events and countless outreach initiatives, he has made it his mission to create positive change by connecting people with nature. His work has been honored with multiple awards for leadership, education, and advocacy, cementing his role as both an innovator in outdoor media and a champion for community engagement.