Zoo Open 365 Days A Year!
Evansville’s Mesker Park Zoo
Cultivating connections between people and nature that inspire action for our planet happens naturally at Mesker Park Zoo. Encounter hundreds of animals representing species from around the globe in Indiana’s first zoo.
Located on 45 scenic acres on Evansville’s northwest side, we think you’ll enjoy being immersed in it’s natural beauty. From the South American rain forest of Amazonia to the Children’s Enchanted Forest, and the rolling hills surrounding Lake Victoria, connecting people with the natural world is mission accomplished when you visit Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.
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 $$
Wildlife Carousel: 10am – 4pm $$
Gift Shop: 9am – 5pm
Rainforest Grill: 9am – 4pm
Breakfast With Santa – Learn More
MESKER PARK ZOO NEWS & STORIES
Today is also #worldanteaterday! Mr. Pickle (Giant anteater) was born in 2016 at the Potawatomi zoo in South Bend Indiana. He came to mesker in 2018 and has been stealing hearts ever since.
Giant anteaters are native to Central and South America and are one of four species of anteaters. Giant anteaters have a very distinctive snout with a 2-foot-long tongue and no teeth. They have diminished senses of sight and hearing, but a highly developed sense of smell. Their diets consist primarily of ants and termites. On your next visit, say hello to Mr. Pickles! 📸Keeper Katrina
Happy #internationaljaguarday from the princess herself, Beliza.
Beliza was born in 2006 at Zoo New England and came to Mesker in 2007. Anyone who follows our social media and stays up to date with our news letters knows that Beliza was diagnosed with cancer 4 years ago and is on monthly medication to help with her diagnoses. We are so lucky that her medication and great care has kept her around, we love you B! You can visit Beliza in the Amazonia building everyday - and the building is temperature controlled, so it`s a great place to visit in the winter 😉
Join us TONIGHT Nov. 28th at the Ritzy`s Fantasy of Lights in Garvin park and support Easterseals rehabilitation center. The Zoo sponsors a Penguin light display each year that can be seen when you tour the lights. Some zoo staff and board members will be present tonight greeting you, taking your admission dollars, and having a great time! Consider visiting the lights and meet a WILD crew 🥰 - we`ll see you at 5pm
Happy Giving Tuesday!! About half of the work I do as a designer is for non-profits, especially Evansville non-profits. Here are a few of the main local nonprofits I’ve worked with throughout the years. They provide crucial services, offer education, enhance our culture, and so much more. We’re lucky to have them in our city and the incredible, big-hearted people involved in every aspect of these organizations. We need them, and they need us! So, give them some love and some dollars today. Even a little bit goes a long way. 💜
cmoekids
evansvillemuseum
reitz_home_museum
grantedtristate
hayniescorner
greaterevvyouth
wnin.evansville
meskerzoo
Today is #givingtuesday and there are many ways to give. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor, using your voice, volunteering, or donating to a nonprofit or local organization. Everyday, we are thankful for the volunteers, donors, and supporters who give their time, items, and monetary support to the Evansville Zoological Society 501(C)(3). The Evansville Zoological Society is a nonprofit organization, responsible for all aspects of fundraising for the Zoo. The support of our members and generous donors helps break down the barriers that are involved with running a modern zoological facility. Just this year, we have raised $51,000 in general donations which help pay for zoo programing, animal shipments/acquisitions, facility updates, new exhibits, and professional development to stay up to date with modern practices! It is because of our generous supporters that we opened Penguins of Patagonia in 2021 and continue to plan for future improvements throughout the zoo. There are many ways for you to give today on #givingtuesday – consider donating directly to the Zoo, purchase an item from our animal enrichment Christmas tree, gift a membership to someone you know or simply share this post with your friends and family! Your donation of even just ONE DOLLAR can benefit the Zoo. Imagine if everyone who sees this post donated just one dollar. Click the link in our bio 🙌🙌
Desert Horned Lizard - a small, ground lizard native to western North America. They typically live anywhere from 5-8years old and are classified as “least concern” according to IUCN.org. Their diet consist of large-bodied ants and they use their specialized sticky tongues to capture them. When not active, they bury themselves in soil/sand to blend in and keep cool. You can visit our Desert Horned lizards in the Kley Memorial Building.
We`re ONE WEEK away from the opening of Breakfast with Santa! There aren`t many tickets left, make sure you grab yours before they`re gone.
https://8994a.blackbaudhosting.com/8994a/Event-Breakfast-with-Santa-EZS-02Dec2023
Thank you to our event sponsors:
@heritagefederal Heritage Federal Credit Union, Center for Pediatric Therapy, Evansville, YMCA of Southern Indiana, D-Patrick Honda
TODAY our 10 days of giving membership drive started! YOU can save 10% on memberships purchased online with code (10DAYS) or in person at the Membership Office from 9am -4pm. *Memberships purchased online start immediately, to purchase a physical gift certificate, please visit the membership office*
https://meskerparkzoo.com/membership/
Joey says Happy Thanksgiving!! We’re open 9am-4pm today ✨. The Zoo is so thankful for all of our zookeepers, curators, directors, guest service employees, admin staff, animals, supporters, members, and followers! We wouldn’t have a great zoo without our dedicated employees and amazing support from you. We want to know what you’re thankful for ⬇️⬇️
TOMORROW November 23rd begins our 10 days of giving membership drive! YOU can save 10% on memberships purchased online with code (10DAYS) or in person at the Membership Office from 9am -4pm. *Memberships purchased online start immediately, to purchase a physical gift certificate, please visit the membership office*
https://meskerparkzoo.com/membership/
Dieting the day before thanksgiving balances out, right? 😂🤷♂️ (we are open tomorrow Nov. 23rd 9am-4pm)
Garnet’s baby closeup 😍🥰 - one of the Colobus monkeys we welcomed just over a week ago. (You can hear mom (Garnet) chowing down on her dinner). If you hoping to visit the Colobus family, make sure you check the weather before your visit. They have temperature guidelines and will likely not be on exhibit if the temperature is below 50 degrees outside. 📸Keeper Katie
Meet our newest Discovery Center residents - Blue death-feigning beetles (They deserve the light of social media, because invertebrates are crucial for a healthy ecosystem)
We have 3 types of blue death-feigning beetles (asbolus verruscosus, absolus laevis, and cryptoglossa muricata). They are native to the Arizona and Northwest Mexico desserts and their diet consist of rotting plants and detritus. When they feel threatened, they roll onto their back and play dead. Their predators prefer live insects, so this prevents them from becoming food in the wild. On your next visit, stop by the Discovery Center and see if you are able to locate all 4 beetles - don`t freak-out if they`re on their backs 😉
The rainbow tree boa: a colorful marvel of nature
These snakes are not only eye-catching, but also have unique adaptations to help them thrive in their habitat. From their prehensile tails to their infrared vision, these boas are well-suited for life in the Amazon rainforest.
📸Keeper Jackie
Tag Your Own Images #meskerzoo, #meskerparkzoo
