Washington Park Zoo

The Washington Park Zoo founded in 1928, encompasses 15 acres on a hilly sand dune and located near the southern shore of beautiful Lake Michigan. The zoo exhibits more than 90 species originating throughout the world. The animals are exhibited in natural settings, surrounded by botanical plantings. Among the exhibits are Bengal tigers, Cotton top tamarins, American alligators, Grizzly bear, Grey Wolves,Ring-tailed lemurs, River otters, Bald eagles, and more.

Some of the other zoo highlights are the Discovery Center that exhibits some of the cold-blooded creatures including lizards, snakes, and frogs. The Australian Adventure which is a walk through aviary featuring over 250 colourful free flying parakeets and the Red barn exhibit housing the miniature domestic horses, donkeys, pigs, and goats. The zoo also has many unique historical WPA walkways and buildings, including the 70 foot tall observation tower and education Rotary Castle.

Connecting Wildlife to You at the Washington Park Zoo!

Our Institutional Core Values

Outstanding Human Relations: Our visitors, staff and volunteers are vital to achieving our mission. They will be treated with the utmost respect and we will strive to make their connection with the zoo as enriching as possible.

Excellence in Animal Care: Our animals are ambassadors for wildlife conservation. We will promote innovations in husbandry and achieve the highest standards of animal care.

Connections through Education: Only through caring, will people make the choices and changes needed to save our natural resources. Our education programs will promote the knowledge and connections that are the key to caring.

Impact on Conservation: Conservation is our cause. Our programs and practices will be based on achieving the maximum possible