Register your group for a picnic at the Zoo

They're Baaack!

The Milwaukee County Zoo presents
Adventure Dinosaur
Sponsored by Sendik's Food Markets

Megalosaurus

If you think you feel the earth rumbling Memorial Day weekend, no need to check with your meteorologist – it may not be the weather!

Starting May 26, and running through September 3, the Milwaukee County Zoo presents its newest rumbling and roaring guests – that’s right, the dinosaurs! Take a trip back to a prehistoric time as “Adventure Dinosaur,” sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, returns to inhabit the Zoo!

Our “Adventure Dinosaur” outdoor special exhibit, complete with sound effects and tropical plants, will include more than 20 dinosaur models. New dino guests, never seen here before include the 300-pound, 15-foot long, adult Massospondylus and its baby. Just don’t walk too close to this mom, as she watches over her baby – she just might grab you with her sharp thumb claws!

Another new guest, the Edmontonia, almost looks like an oversized armadillo, except this 22-foot long, 3.5-ton creature has sharp spikes along its tail and head and has ridged bony plates on its back and tail.

Watch out for the 38-foot long Acrocanthosaurus. This bi-pedal carnivore has many thin, serrated teeth and a head that’s almost five feet long!

Back for a return engagement, don’t miss the ever-popular saliva spitting Dilophosaurus. (Don’t tell anyone, but it’s really just water!) Also returning this year, you’ll find a sand pit dig box where kids can search for fossils. Our exhibit wouldn’t be complete without Tyrannosaurus rex, baby T. rex. and their nest.

For those with an inquiring mind who want to see just how these lifelike, motorized dino-models work, we’ll again have a Deinonychus robot skeleton displaying the inner workings of these menacing models. Visitors can work the joysticks themselves to figure out just how these creatures are able to move and rumble like their prehistoric counterparts.

“Adventure Dinosaur,” sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is located behind the Small Mammals Building – just follow the T. rex footprints to discover this tropical land! Admission is $2.50 per person, after regular Zoo admission.

Lion Cubs Update: May 2012

Lion cubs growing fast
Our cubs are growing – fast!

Since their birth in July 2011, our three African lion cubs are thriving and developing very interesting behaviors.

Njeri, the only female and smallest of the siblings, has grown to 112 pounds. Being the smallest hasn’t hindered her confidence, in fact, she’s now known as the troublemaker of the group. Njeri enjoys sneaking up behind dad, Themba, pulling on his tail and then quickly running away.

Brother, Kiume, recently weighed in at a whopping 162 pounds, but as the largest of the three, he’s still known as a mama’s boy and often runs to mom, Sanura, when he’s afraid. He loves sleeping on his back.

Hubert, the most personable of the three, is very friendly toward our zookeepers - although there is never direct physical contact between the animals and keepers. He enjoys just hanging out with dad, Themba.  Hubert is growing strong weighing in at a healthy 158 pounds.

The cubs sleep several hours per day, but when they’re not sleeping they love to play with feathers, sticks and branches. All three have a healthy appetite and love eating Nebraska premium beef and bones. Oxtail bones are another crowd favorite with our lion cubs.

When you visit our cubs, notice the difference in mane colors growing in on Kiume and Hubert.

Willie and Snow Lilly Update

Willie & Snow Lilly sharing the polar bear exhibit

Love, or at least a very strong like, is in the air!

Since their face-to-face introduction in early spring, polar bears Willie and Lilly have developed a very warm, playful and affectionate relationship. Although Willie is neutered and unable to reproduce, he and Lilly have become close friends.

Typically, polar bears are solitary animals, but what started as open mouth vocalizing at the beginning of their introduction, has evolved into touching noses and nuzzling. The two also enjoy playing in the pool together, and Lilly has even been spotted riding piggyback on Willie as he treads through the water!

Willie, 27, who arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo last September, is staying here until 2013 while his North Carolina Zoo exhibit undergoes major renovation. Lilly, also 27, appears to really enjoy this new-found companionship.

Stop by the North American Exhibit and witness this budding friendship!

Brew Crew And The Milwaukee County Zoo Offer Special Ticket Package

Brew Crew and the Zoo special ticket offer

With spring training in full “swing,” baseball season is almost upon us! During the 2012 season, Zoo fans and baseball fans can enjoy both of these popular pastimes for a special reduced rate through the “Brew Crew & the Zoo Ticket Package.”

Here’s the deal:

For just $20, see the Brew Crew & the Zoo! Get one Terrace Reserved ticket to
select Brewers games and one 2012 adult admission ticket to the Milwaukee County Zoo (valid through December 31, 2012, tickets not valid in conjunction with any other offer), plus a free Brew Crew & the Zoo T-shirt! Valid game dates include: June 19, July 4, July 26, July 31 and August 31. For more information, please call (414) 902-4000 or visit
brewers.com/zoo. Offer ends August 31.

Make your plans now to take in two of Milwaukee’s hottest attractions this summer! For further information, please call the Brewers at (414) 902-4000.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is now a smoke-free attraction, per ordinance 47.16.
Smoking is allowed only in the Zoo parking lots.

Zoo Hours 2012


January & February 2012 / November & December 2012
Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

March 1 through May 25, 2012
Daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

May 26 through September 3, 2012
Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

September 4 through October 31, 2012
Daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Zoo accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Unfortunately, we do not accept personal checks.

General Admission Rates 2012
View our Education Rates or Group Rates

January 1 through March 31, 2012
and November 1 to December 31, 2012
Adult: $11.75
Junior (age 3 to 12): $8.75
Child (2 and under): FREE
Senior Citizen (age 60 and over): $10.25

April 1 through October 31, 2012
Adult: $14.25
Junior (age 3 to 12): $11.25
Child (2 and under): FREE
Senior Citizen (age 60 and over): $13.25

Parking fees: $12 for cars, $16 for buses

Milwaukee County residents with I.D. receive $1.75 off regular Zoo admission everyday except Wednesday. On Wednesdays, Milwaukee County residents with I.D. are admitted at a reduced rate of $8 for adults and $5.50 for children (age 3 to 12).

For more information, call the Zoo at (414) 256-5466.