Places of Greater Baton Rouge
Years in business: 54 years
Owner: Recreation and Parks Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge’s long history of realizing the importance of a zoo to the community started in the 1930s with a collection of animals displayed in City Park. A new zoo was a dream of the Recreation and Parks Commission, and in 1965, taxpayers passed a millage election that provided over three-quarters of a million dollars to build the facility. Matching funds were obtained from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.
Construction began in 1966 and the Baton Rouge Zoo first opened to the public on Easter Sunday, 1970. The residents of East Baton Rouge Parish fully embraced the concept of the new zoo, and a sense of ownership was instilled in the community, aided by the urging of television personality Buckskin Bill. The words of Buckskin Bill, “Baton Rouge needs a Zoo,” at the end of his television program rallied the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. More than 600,000 pennies were collected, which made the purchase of the Zoo’s first two elephants possible.
Since its opening, the Zoo has grown to become the area’s #1 year-round family attraction and Louisiana’s largest urban zoo. With over a quarter million guests each year, the Zoo attracts visitors of all ages and backgrounds, representing a great cross-section of the region. The Zoo has become the region’s favorite place for families and groups to discover the animal kingdom.
Services Provided
Exhibits
Keeper Chats
Educational Programs
Year-Round Events
Birthday Parties
Field Trips
Zoo & Me Mornings
Camps
How do you make it a point to put families first? The Zoo is a fun, educational, safe recreational space that guests of all ages can enjoy and learn from every day! Everything at the Zoo, from events to informative signs to keeper chats, is crafted with all age groups in mind. For instance, our most popular community event of the year, Boo at the Zoo, is a “merry-not-scary” event; even our youngest Zoo-goers can enjoy the weekend of entertainment, costumes, fall decor, special enrichments, and more! Most importantly, all Zoo staff are trained and practiced in protocols that ensure safety and peace of mind for all guests, especially families and children.
What do you enjoy the most about having the zoo in our area? In the words of Buckskin Bill, “Baton Rouge needs a Zoo!” We love that so many members of our community fondly recall rallying behind their new Zoo and supporting the purchase of its first two elephants with their own pennies. We’re proud to be part of BREC’s award-winning parks system, and to provide Baton Rouge residents with an accessible, affordable, one-of-a-kind recreational experience.
What’s next for the zoo? In 2024, we rejoined the approximately 10% of zoos and aquariums in the United States to achieve the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation. We also wrapped up Phase II of the largest construction project in the Zoo’s history, having opened 7 new exhibits, renovated 12 exhibits, and built 12 new buildings throughout the facility. With the opening of our new entry building–including new classrooms, a new gift shop, and new event spaces–we’re excited to continue expanding and improving our guests’ experience!