• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Top Right Menu

  • Buy Tickets
  • Membership
  • Donate Now
  • Mesker Park Zoo Home Page
  • Contact Mesker Park Zoo
  • Mesker Park Zoo on Facebook
  • Mesker Park Zoo on Instagram
  • Mesker Park Zoo on YouTube
  • Mesker Park Zoo Cart
Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Evansville, Indiana City Zoo

  • Plan Your Visit
    • Events Calendar
    • Zoo Map
    • Amenities & Attractions
    • Group Reservations
    • Group Reservation Form
    • Zoo Policies
  • Animals & Exhibits
  • Conservation
    • Current Conservation Efforts
    • Green Practices
  • Educational Experiences
    • Virtual Programs
    • Family Programs
    • Outreach Programs
    • School & Scout Programs
    • Day Camps
    • Activity Resources
    • Volunteer Resources
  • Plan Your Event
  • About Us
    • Request a Donation
    • Employment/Internships
    • News & Blog
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Contact Us
  • Support Us
    • Ways To Donate
    • Volunteer
      • Docents
      • Zoo Teens
  • Tiger
    Amur Tiger Nuri in Asia Valley
  • Komodo Dragon
    Komodo Dragons at Komodo Cove in the Kley Building
  • Caimen
    Cuvier's dwarf caiman enjoying the waters in Amazonia
  • Franklin and Wednesday the Bactrian Camels in Asia Valley
    Franklin and Wednesday the Bactrian Camels in Asia Valley
  • Humboldt Penguins, Penguins of Patagonia Exhibit
    Humboldt Penguins, Penguins of Patagonia Exhibit
  • Humboldt Penguins, Penguins of Patagonia Exhibit
    Humboldt Penguins, Penguins of Patagonia Exhibit
  • One of our Sifaka Lemur's in Lemur Forest
    Sifaka Lemur's in Lemur Forest
  • Rhino
    Indian One-Horned Rhino romping in Rhino Reserve at the Kley Building
  • Humboldt Penguins, Penguins of Patagonia Exhibit
    Humboldt Penguins, Penguins of Patagonia Exhibit
  • Humboldt Penguins, Penguins of Patagonia Exhibit
    Humboldt Penguins, Penguins of Patagonia Exhibit
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda cuteness at the Discovery Center
  • Beliza, Clouded Leopard, Amazonia
    Beliza, our female Jaguar located in Amazonia

Zoo Open 365 Days A Year!

  • Hours: 9am - 4pm
    • Services, Amenities, Daily Schedule»

  • Admission:
    • March – October Rates

      Adults: $11.00
      Children (age 3-12): $10.00
      Children 2 and Under: Free

      BUY TICKETS

  • Directions/Lodging
  • Mesker Park Zoo Map

Evansville’s Mesker Park Zoo

Connecting people with the world around them happens naturally at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. Your visit to Indiana’s first zoo offers a worldwide adventure as you encounter hundreds of animals representing species from around the globe.

Located on 45 scenic acres on Evansville’s northwest side, we welcome you to our unique zoo and think you’ll enjoy being completely immersed in natural beauty. From the South American rainforest of Amazonia to the Family Garden, Lake Victoria, and the rolling hills in between, connecting people with the natural world is mission accomplished when you visit Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

Want to feed a penguin?
Become A Zoo Member

UPCOMING EVENTS

DAILY EXPERIENCES:

Giraffe Feedings: 11am – 3pm
(weather permitting) $$

Tram Tours: 10am – 4:30pm
(weather permitting) $$

Keeper Penguin Presentation: 10am and 3pm

Penguin Feedings: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm $$

Wildlife Carousel: 10am – 4pm $$

Budgie Walkabout Feedings: 10am – 4pm $$

Gift Shop:  9am – 5pm

Concession: 9am – 4pm

VIEW CALENDAR
  • ZOO0095 Mesker VintageVines 2022 Poster scaled

    Aug 13 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Vintage Vines

    More Info»
  • Boo at the Zoo 2022

    Oct 21 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

    5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

    Old National Bank Presents: Boo at the Zoo

    More Info»
  • Old National Bank & Boo at the Zoo present: Sensory Spooktacular Oct 24 4-6pm

    Oct 24 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

    4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

    Old National Bank & Boo at the Zoo present: Sensory Spooktacular

    More Info»

MESKER PARK ZOO NEWS & STORIES

Garrett

Garrett the Baby Binturong!

Read More Garrett the Baby Binturong!

hellbender

Hellbender Update!

Read More Hellbender Update!

AppalachianRedbud

What’s in Bloom? The Appalachian Redbud

Read More What’s in Bloom? The Appalachian Redbud

DoubleTakeScarletQuince

What’s in Bloom? Double Take Scarlet Quince

Read More What’s in Bloom? Double Take Scarlet Quince

IMG 5528

What’s in Bloom? The Flame Tree

Read More What’s in Bloom? The Flame Tree

Jungle Foliage Graphic
Mesker Zoo on Instagram

Follow Us on Instagram @meskerzoo

Open
Today's #SpeciesSpotlight is our Giraffes 🦒. We have 2 female Reticulated Giraffes. They are easily identifiable with their large brown spots that are separated by white lines.  Giraffes are the tallest land mammal and can grow anywhere from 14-19 feet tall. 

Did you know a Giraffe's tongue is generally an inch in length for every foot they are? And can grow up to 18 inches long. This allows them to reach high in the trees for leaves. 

Giraffe feedings are daily from 11-3p for 2 tokens! (Weather Permitting)

Avoid the line and buy online!
https://8994a.blackbaudhosting.com/8994a/page.aspx?pid=213&tab=2&txobjid=5bee2e8d-3690-464c-b773-972949b8b2d1
Open
It's that time of the year when Eastern hellbenders are released back into the water! In the early 2000's a Purdue study found a vast decrease in the population of the Eastern hellbender in Indiana. If nothing was done, this species would become extinct in the state within 25 years. 

In 2015, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden partnered with Purdue University to recover eggs, grow them to a survivable size, and release them back into the wild. We house this species in our Discovery Center, where you can watch them grow for release. This project has allowed us to increase Eastern hellbender numbers in the Blue River in Indiana! The hope is they will find each other and begin reproducing in Indiana waterways once again. Since the partnership started, 500 Eastern hellbenders have been raised and released back into Indiana waters. 

Today, many Indiana zoos participate in the growth of the Eastern hellbender population. 

📸 Misty M  #WeAreAZA
Open
New Howler Monkey Alert 📢

Meet Ulick & Callie -- Both are 4 years old! Ulick came to us from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Callie from Audubon Zoo. 

Today they got to explore their new home in Amazonia. They can be seen swinging from branch to branch or perching up high in the tree tops. Did you know Howler monkeys are known for their loud howls as they can travel over a mile in a rainforest?! Can you howl like a howler? 

Next time you're here say hello to Ulick & Callie

https://8994a.blackbaudhosting.com/8994a/page.aspx?pid=213&tab=2&txobjid=802a7dc4-c975-48f5-84ce-c27019135367
Open
International Tiger Day 🐅
Tigers are considered endangered. This is caused by illegal hunting and deforestation due to palm oil plantations.

Our tiger is a Amur tiger, native to Russian Far East, Northeast China, and Korea. Nuri has been with Mesker since May of 2016. Nuri is 13 years old and weighs in at 269 pounds!

The largest Amur tiger on record weighed in at 1,018 pounds and generally are the largest species of tiger. Tigers are solitary animals so you likely won't find tigers in groups, unless it's a mom and her cubs. Amur tigers can grow between 10-12 ft. 

Next time you're at the zoo look for Nuri, she may be gazing at the Sichuan Takin or taking a cat nap in the shade behind the rocks. You might even get lucky and hear her ROAR! #WeAreAZA #tigers #conservation
📸 Bill P
Open
Baby Binturong update! 
Baby Garrett is doing GREAT. He is getting more and more confident on exhibit with his parents and loves the treats his keepers give him. Garrett has grown so much already. Isn't he just precious 😍. 
Have you had a chance to visit Garrett in the Children's Enchanted Forest?! 

📸 Misty M & Keeper Katie
https://8994a.blackbaudhosting.com/8994a/page.aspx?pid=213&tab=2&txobjid=374a2309-f535-4189-9e50-10d78f00c262
Open
THE SUN IS SHINING 🌤 and there's still a chance to feed a penguin at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm today! Tram tours are also open. Come enjoy the outdoors while the sun is peaking and get wild with us. #zoolife #WeAreAZA 

📸 Blake S
Open
Join us Saturday July 30th from 10a-3pm for Animal Enrichment Day!
This day is focused around animals and will have lots of keeper chats! Be sure and grab your Bingo sheet upon entry. Turn in your completed Bingo sheet at the end of the day for a chance to win a family fun pack. While you're here, feed a penguin, Giraffe, or Budgie. 

Animal enrichment day is included in the price of admission and free to active members. 

Buy online and avoid the wait: 
www.meskerparkzoo.com
Open
Today is #nationalcarouselday 🎠. Join us today, for only 2 tokens you can take a ride on our Englebrecht Carousel! Our carousel is handicap accessible, has many different species, and we even have a Giraffe that doesn't move for the kiddos that prefer no vertical movement. 
We'd love to see your memories on our carousel in the comments below ❤🎠. 

📸 Blake S
Get your tickets ahead of time
https://8994a.blackbaudhosting.com/8994a/page.aspx?pid=213&tab=2&txobjid=ba0a31c8-aeb5-47ba-bfdd-8f3028c35dba
Open
It was announced early this week that monarch butterflies are getting closer to extinction. Today we wanted to shine light on butterflies and what you can do to help this species. #SpeciesSpotlight

Monarch butterflies are one of the most common butterflies, because they are the only butterfly species that make a two-way migration similar to birds. They are also the most recognizable. Research shows a rapid decline in these species over the last few years.  Our Botanical Curator Misty talked this week about the concern for all butterflies as we have seen a decline even at the zoo. 

Misty said each species of butterflies have a host plant that attracts them. Having flowers will attract butterflies, but having their host plants will allow these species to thrive! They use the nectar from other flowers, but host plants are essential for metamorphosis and it will also attract them to your garden 🦋.Monarch's host plant is a milkweed!
The decline is caused from illegal/legal logging. The increased use of pesticides/herbicides in agricultural kills butterflies and milkweed plants. 

Misty said there is hope, you at home can source these host plants for butterflies and refrain from using dangerous pesticides. Some of these plants can be found at our annual plant sale (which happens the first weekend in May every year). You can also find these plants at local greenhouses and native plant sales in our area. 

The zoo plants and maintains butterfly host plants all around our zoo. Many butterflies can be spotted in our pollinator garden just outside of the Kley Building. Some improvements will be coming soon to enhance this garden area to better benefit the butterflies it attracts. Do research, read labels of pesticides, and help this species avoid extinction.
Open
#nationalzookeepersweek 
CAN WE HEAR IT FOR THE UNGULATE TEAM?! This team consist of Amy, Lana, Dave, Jessica E, Lisa, and Katrina. 

We interviewed Lisa about Rupert our Indian Rhino. Lisa loves caring for Rupert and said she does the things she does for him, because it makes him happy, and gives him a better life. 

Dave's favorite thing about being a keeper is creating a bond that you never knew could exist. 

Amy's favorite thing is one of our goats, she might pose as him for Halloween! 

Thank you for working so hard to continue to care for our animals all of the time! Keepers give up weekends and holidays and work in all weather conditions, because they LOVE what they do. They do it for the animals. Thank you for letting us in on just a small piece of what you do and why! We're thankful for you each and everyday ❤. #zoolife #zookeeperlife #WeAreAZA
Open
#nationalzookeepersweek
Todays spotlight goes to these animals. I mean keepers 🤣. Meet our "Primate/Carnivore" team, compiled of Randi, Rachel, Jackie, Katelyn, Katie, and Jessica G. 
The keepers love for animals has been so eye opening and has allowed them to realize why they come to work each and every day.
Keeper Jackie said "Coming back from a vacation or weekend off is always so exciting, the monkeys are so vocal when they see me, and it just brings me so much joy". Keeper Rachel's favorite thing of the job is training and seeing an animal pick up a new behavior you spent so much time on. Randi, Katelyn, and Katie said they love seeing the animals every day and earning their trust is a whole different feeling. 
Thank you for everything ALL of you do for MPZ and our Animals ❤. WE APPRECIATE YOU! 
#zoolife #WeAreAZA #zookeeper
Open
#nationalzookeepersweek 

Let's meet our "Small Animal Team", Bryan, Loretta, Sean, Trevor, Chris, and Taylor! This team is spread throughout the zoo, often caring for other species as well. Zookeepers wear many hats, especially in a zoo our size. They create enrichment items, they present keeper chats, they attend seminars, and they do this because they love what they do. Our keepers are always willing to help one another, because they have the same goal. To provide the best in class care to our animals. 

I asked this particular group what words of wisdom would they give to future zoo keepers and they said "be open minded, you're going to work with different species, you may learn to love an animal you didn't think of!". Taylor stated, "One day I may be working with penguins, otters, aquatic fish/caiman and the very next day I could be helping with the Tigers and Giraffes!". Keeper Loretta said "It's not all glamorous, work hard, and be dedicated". 

Our keepers wake up each morning excited to see the faces of the animals they care for day in and day out. They appreciate you. WE APPRECIATE YOU HERE AT MPZ ❤️ #zoolife #WeAreAZA #zookeeper
Open
NATIONAL ZOOKEEPER APPRECIATION WEEK! 
🐧🐵🐍🐢🦏🐫🦒🦦🦔
This week we celebrate our keepers here at MPZ & BG. Each day this week, we are going to take a look at the different "areas" in our zoo and get some insight from those who specialize in these areas each day <3. We are thankful for the outstanding care our keepers provides to each and every animal. Being a zookeeper is what everyone thinks of when you say you work at a zoo! You all learn first hand about an animals personality traits, what they like/dislike, and you teach the rest of us here at MPZ. We asked our keepers what their favorite thing is about being a zookeeper, it comes with no shock that they all do it for the same reason. "The joy of seeing animals everyday", "seeing animals succeed at new behaviors", "creating a bond, we never knew could exist", and "teamwork". WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR KEEPERS HERE AT MESKER PARK ZOO & BOTANIC GARDEN. #weareaza #zookeeperappreciationweek #zoolife
Open
#WorldSnakeDay 
Take a look at our Madagascar Tree Boa named Baby Face 🐍 . Baby Face will be 7 on August 2nd and weighs in at just over 3lbs. 
These medium sized constrictors are from the island of Madagascar and can grow up to 2 meters a.k.a 6.5 feet! This species is a nocturnal predator of birds and small animals, finding its prey using labial heat pits. Their habitat is any of the forested areas of Madagascar, from lowland tropical forest to dry forests to humid upland forests. Unfortunately, deforestation has caused this species to be restricted to the protected forests on the island. #SpeciesSpotlight

Next time you're at the zoo, be sure and check out this guy. https://meskerparkzoo.com/
Open
🎉HAPPY BELATED 56th BIRTHDAY BERTA 🎂 
Her keepers will be giving her treats this afternoon, keep an eye out for our story or just come check it out yourself! Berta's birthday was the 11th, but today we celebrate her <3 Purchase those tickets below 👇

Berta is our Grey Gibbon located in our Asia loop of the zoo! Look for her closely, Berta can be seen sun bathing at the top of her exhibit or you might get lucky and see her just a swinging. 

📸Misty M  #weareaza #gibbon 
https://8994a.blackbaudhosting.com/8994a/page.aspx?pid=213&tab=2&txobjid=aff4ba78-439a-437d-abac-71ab70e7d0d1
Follow on Instagram

Tag Your Own Images #meskerzoo, #meskerparkzoo

Mesker Zoo on Facebook

Follow Us on Facebook

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Sign Up For Our eNewsletter

It’s free! Subscribe to receive LATEST NEWS and UPDATES about Mesker Park Zoo!

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Footer

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Gardens

HOURS & ADMISSION

Open 365 Days a Year!

9am - 4pm

March - October Rates

Adults: $11.00
Children (age 3-12): $10.00
Children 2 and Under: Free

1545 Mesker Park Drive
Evansville, Indiana 47720

  • BUY TICKETS
  • Membership
  • DONATE NOW
FOLLOW, SHARE & WATCH
Mesker Park Zoo on Facebook
Mesker Park Zoo on Instagram
Mesker Park Zoo on YouTube

LOOKING FOR MORE?

  • Contact Us
  • Events Calendar
  • News & Blog
  • Volunteer
  • Facilty Rentals
Accredited by Association of Zoos & Aquariums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map
© 2022 Evansville's Go Mobile Clinic. Site by AXIOM