Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

The FWCZ can trace its origins to 1952 when 54 acres (22 ha) were added to Franke Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to establish a nature preserve. Local popularity of the preserve led to Fort Wayne officials deciding to build a full-fledged zoo by 1962. The zoo's mission was to educate children about animals.

On July 3, 1965, the new Fort Wayne Children's Zoo opened on 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) with 18 animal exhibits. Earl Wells was the original Zoo Director. In 1976, a major expansion of the zoo was the African Veldt attraction, where savanna animals grazed in open fields east of the Central Zoo. In 1987, the Australian Adventure premiered, showcasing animals from the Outback. A domed Indonesian Rain Forest exhibit opened in 1994, with Orangutan Valley opening a year later, and Tiger Forest in 1996.

On October 19, 2004, five wildebeests broke through a gate and jumped a fence, roaming the streets of a nearby neighborhood.[7] Eventually, the wildebeests were captured, though two of them suffered broken legs and were forced to be euthanized.[7][8] The zoo was fined $825 for the incident.[7]

On November 2, 2007, artificial rocks made of Styrofoam caught fire in the zoo's new African Journey expansion, the largest project in the zoo's 42-year history. The fire happened where workers were constructing an African lion exhibit, the centerpiece of the new expansion. Thick black plumes of smoke billowing from the site of the fire were clearly visible across the skies of Fort Wayne and much of the region. No workers or animals were harmed in the blaze.[9]

On July 1, 2015, the zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary with about 400 guests. The 47th Three Rivers Festival parade honored the occasion, with the theme "Here's to Zoo".[10]

On April 6, 2016, one of the zoo's most famous animals, Bill the lion, was euthanized, due to an aggressive cancer. Zoo officials spotted the cancer only seven days before Bill had to be euthanized.[11]

On March 3, 2020, the zoo announced that longtime Executive Director Jim Anderson would retire at the end of the 2020 season. Anderson has served as the Zoo’s executive director since 1994, when he succeeded its founding executive director, Earl Wells. On September 1, 2020, The Board of Directors announced Rick Schuiteman from the San Diego Zoo would replace Anderson as only the third Executive Director.[12]

On February 4, 2021, the zoo announced two of its Sumatran tigers tested positive for COVID-19. Both cats were showing mild signs of a dry cough, triggering animal care experts to take notice. Fecal samples for both tigers, Bugara and Indah, were collected for testing and performed in veterinary laboratories. The tigers recovered without incident.[13]

On March 15, 2022, the zoo announced their support of Ukrainian Zoos, during the Russian War, by contributing $5,000 from their Conservation Fund to go directly to the EAZA to support Zoo animals and keeper staff. [14]

On April 21, 2023, the zoo announced the Indonesian Rainforest area would be reimagined and renamed to Asian Trek allowing the zoo to add new species to the space and expand the footprint to include Red Panda Ridge.[15]

The zoo consists of four self-contained biomes themed as different regions of the world.

Reticulated giraffe in the zoo's African Journey exhibit

The African Journey opened to the public June 6, 2009, on the former site of the African Veldt.[16]

The Australian Adventure houses the majority of the Zoo's Australian animals such as T-Devils, Kangaroos, and Dingos.

The Reef is associated with the Australian Adventure. It includes a large aquarium with a variety of fish and sharks. There is also a string ray touch pool.

The Central Zoo includes assorted animals from the Americas and a few from other regions. Some animals include penguins, alligators, sea lions, and sloth.

The Asian Trek consists of a variety of animal species from Asia, mostly the Indonesian Rainforest. Sumatran Tigers, Clouded Leopards, Gibbons, and Red Pandas. This is also where guests can walk through the Rain Forest Aviary, a dome, that has over 50 birds. The Orangutan exhibit is also a part of the dome experience. Red Panda Ridge houses pandas, muntjac, and a variety of birds.

Guests walking through the rain forest dome aviary

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has four key rides as a part of the experience. Guests must pay for these experiences sperate from general admission.

- Sky Safari over Africa

- Z.O.& O Railroad train leaving the Central Zoo through Franke Park

- Crocodile Creek Adventure Ride in Australian Adventure

- Endangered Species Carousel Ride in Asian Trek

- Nature Play in Africa

- Adventure Play in Asian Trek to open in Fall 2023

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has educational programs for all ages. Programs include in-zoo programs and in-class visits by Zoo Educators and animals. The Zoo also has a busy summer season, hosting almost 2,000 children from K–12 in summer camps. The Teens for Nature program, for 7th–12th graders, helps teens focus on nature, animals, conservation, and leadership. Over 300 teens volunteer to be a part of the program.[17]

• Official website
• Visit Fort Wayne