About Us

Still wild ...

The Milwaukee County Zoo is a serene home to more than 1,800 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles with more than 350 species represented. However, the Zoo has become more than that to visitors. It is a site for workshops, holiday celebrations, summer concerts and food festivals.

Recognized as one of the country’s finest zoological attractions, the Milwaukee County Zoo serves as a resource to educate, entertain and inspire.

The wildness began in 1892 when the Milwaukee County Zoo was a simple miniature mammal and bird display in Milwaukee's downtown Washington Park. By 1902, the Zoo expanded to 23 acres and had acquired a roaring 800 animals. Thirty-two years later, the Zoo became an entity of the Milwaukee County Park Commission. The arrangement gave the Zoo the resources it needed to grow and prosper. The chance to grow surfaced in 1958 when the Zoo moved to its present location on 200 acres of beautiful parkland where currently over 350 species of animals are on exhibit.

The first decade at the Zoo's new location saw several developments: the Primate Building, Monkey Island and Winter Quarters construction. In the early 1960s, Grizzly, Polar and Brown Bear dens were completed, as were the Feline, Pachyderm, Giraffe, Bird, Small Mammals, Aquarium/Reptile, and Australian Buildings. In the 1970s, the Zoo continued to grow: the Children's Zoo, Train Shed, and Zoo Hospital were constructed. The Dall Sheep Exhibit, the Gift Shop and Zoo Pride also were established during this decade of expansion.

Today, the Milwaukee County Zoo is among the top zoos in the nation. It is an accredited institution of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In recent years, the Zoo has become increasingly involved in the propagation and conservation of endangered species. The Zoo is currently engaged in several significant breeding programs, including Humboldt penguins and Trumpeter swans. Our Zoo also is home to a troop of 21 bonobos, a highly endangered species of great ape. Each new birth of a bonobo marks a definite sign of the Zoo’s commitment to conservational programs such as the Species Survival Plan (SSP) in which the Zoo participates.

The Zoo is under the direction of Charles Wikenhauser. A 125-member staff provides the necessary support to maintain a high quality park, while continually developing innovative ways to help the Zoo reach and maintain its attendance and revenue goals.

In order to remain current in its operations, and adhere to the growing needs of the animals, the Zoo initiated an expansion and renovation master plan in 1985. This plan saw the completion of the Wolf Woods, the Polar Bear and Sea Lion Exhibits, the Dairy Complex and the Peck Welcome Center.

More additions and renovations have taken place at the Milwaukee County Zoo. The $10.7 million primate facility is one such plan. Apes of Africa opened in May, 1992 and houses Western lowland gorillas and bonobos. The complex was designed to closely represent the West African rain forest. It provides the gorillas and bonobos with surroundings that are similar to their natural environment.

In 1993, the 25-year-old Aquarium and Reptile Building closed for renovations. The new Aquatic & Reptile Center (ARC) officially opened to the public in 1995.

The $3.3 million project, equally funded by the Zoo and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County, features a 28,000-gallon Pacific Coast Marine Aquarium, housing a variety of sharks and fish. Other highlights of the ARC include an interesting species of giant salamander known as the hellbender.

In 2002, the Zoo unveiled a renovated Macaque Island outdoor exhibit for our 27 Japanese macaques. These lively animals now have a higher mountain to climb on, more nooks and crannies to hide behind and additional enrichment items to keep their minds active. Waterfalls, shrubs and vines complete this inviting habitat.

The year 2003 marked the start of the Feline Building renovation. Now complete, the $7.2 million project provides larger and more natural looking exhibit spaces for these magnificent animals and enhances their quality of life. The new Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country was unveiled to thousands of anxious visitors in the summer of 2005, and showcased new residents such as jaguars and young African lions.

The year 2003 also marked the completion of the Animal Health Center. Made possible by Milwaukee County, the Zoological Society and major gifts from the Gretchen and Andrew Dawes Charitable Trust and Holz Family Foundation, this facility serves to further enhance the veterinary care of our animal collection. Features include: a 1,000-square-foot observation area for the public to view surgery and treatment rooms, wards with shallow pools for waterfowl, cold rooms for animals such as penguins, warm rooms for reptiles and sterile surgery rooms.

The year 2004 saw the completion of the Karen Peck Katz Conservation Education Center. This spacious new building has two levels, eight classrooms (five more than the previous building), new computers and a “green” roof with environmentally friendly plantings.

In 2005, the Zoo opened the newly renovated Northwestern Mutual Family Farm, formerly the Children’s Zoo. Visitors can now get up-close with native wildlife and farm animals, as educational presentations are offered daily in the new Stackner Animal Encounter Building. A “play and climb” area, walk-through butterfly garden and renovated Birds of Prey Theater complete the experience.

This year offers visitors dynamic special exhibits and activities for kids and adults. Making a return engagement to the Zoo this summer – interactive sting rays and sharks!

Sting Ray and Shark Reef, sponsored by Sundance Vacations, runs through Sept. 7 in the Zoo’s Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Building, and features an 11,000-gallon interactive touch pool with barbless sting rays, and a 6,000-gallon touch pool displaying several harmless species of sharks. The exhibit is $2 after regular Zoo admission.

Also open this summer, a new Zoo front entrance atrium – the U.S. Bank Gathering Place. This attractive new area features a spacious, light-filled atrium with a renovated Flamingo Café, a counter-style snack bar, two gift-shop areas, an electronic information board sponsored by U.S. Cellular, customer-service area and new restrooms. This space also will be home to special exhibits, artwork and even small animal presentations.

The U.S. Bank Gathering Place marks the ninth and final project of the New Zoo II Capital Campaign to improve the Zoo. The $30 million-plus campaign, started in 2001, was run by the public-private partnership of Milwaukee County and the non-profit Zoological Society.

It's clear that the Milwaukee County Zoo is and will continue to be one of Wisconsin's premier attractions. With its renowned animal collection and special exhibitions, the Zoo offers visitors a course in education, conservation and enjoyment.

For more information, call Zoo Public Affairs and Services: (414) 256-5466.

July 2008