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Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Logo

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Evansville, Indiana City Zoo

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We’re Open 365 Days A Year!

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

  • Admission:
    • Summer Rates

      Adults (ages 13+): $11.00
      Children (age 3-12): $10.00
      Children 2 and Under: Free

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Evansville’s Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Cultivating connections between people and nature that inspire action for our planet happens naturally at Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden. 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 its 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.

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Become a member of Mesker Park Zoo for unlimited visits, exclusive events, and the chance to support wildlife conservation. Don’t miss out – join now!

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UPCOMING Mesker Park Zoo 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: 10am -4pm $$

Gift Shop:  9am – 5pm

Rainforest Grill: 9am – 4pm

VIEW CALENDAR
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Zoo Brew: Leroy’s Penguin Excursion
Zoo Brew: Leroy’s Budgie Excursion
Zoo Brew: Giraffe Excursion
Zoo Brew: Spirit Trail Excursion

MESKER PARK ZOO NEWS & STORIES

Luna, our tiger sticking her tongue out on the bridge which conjoins the two tiger habitats.

Our Sumatran Tiger, Luna!

By: Shannon Irmscher, Animal Curator There’s a new sub-species of tiger at Mesker Park Zoo! You may remember our Amur tiger Nuri went to the…

Read More Our Sumatran Tiger, Luna!

Bandu at the Denver Zoo before coming to Evansville

The Return of the Rhinoceros to MPZ

By: Leigh Ramon, Animal Curator The first Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (GOH) came to Mesker Park Zoo (MPZ) in 2001. We then housed GOH until 2023…

Read More The Return of the Rhinoceros to MPZ

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Orchid Escape!

Written By: Misty Minar, Botanical Curator With the opening of Amazonia in 2008, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanical Garden added a warm, tropical rain forest…

Read More Orchid Escape!

Puerto Rican Toads

Mesker Welcomes Endangered Toads

Zoos Saving Species: Puerto Rican Crested Toad Written By: Shannon Irmscher, Animal Curator The Puerto Rican crested toad (PRCT) was once plentiful on Puerto Rico…

Read More Mesker Welcomes Endangered Toads

DAY 7

Successful Three-Banded Armadillo Birth

In December, we celebrated with you all the first-ever birth of a Three-banded armadillo in Mesker’s history. Mother, Pallina, and her “pup” are currently cherishing…

Read More Successful Three-Banded Armadillo Birth

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Camp Zoofari summer sessions are here, and selling fast!

From exploring fascinating wildlife and engaging in hands-on activities to uncovering the wonders of conservation and science, our camps are designed to spark curiosity and inspire a love for nature. Join us for an enriching journey that connects campers with animals, fosters creativity, and builds memories to last a lifetime!🐯

Available CAMP ZOOFARI schedule:

🍎June 2-6 – What’s on the Menu at the Zoo?
Carnivores, Herbivores, and Om-nom-nom-ivores! Campers will learn all about animal diets as we look at the different ways animals eat and the types of food they need!

🔍June 9-13 – Zoo Detectives
Help us figure out ‘whodunit’! Camps will study tracks, nests, scat, and more as they solve some mysteries, uncover secrets, and bust myths about animals!

⚽️🦏June 23-27 – Zoo-Olympics
Are you as strong as a rhino or as swift as an eagle? Campers will compare their own skills to those of the gold medal winners in the animal kingdom and will discover what makes them champions!

🎨July 7-July 11– Wild about Art
Discover art in a new and wild way! Campers will be inspired by nature and animals to create their own masterpieces using performance art, visual arts, and more!

🐾July 21- July 25 – Animal Adventurers
Get your passport ready for a wild adventure! Campers will learn about different environments around the world that animals call home and discover what it takes to survive in each habitat!

For more information on our day camps, please contact the Education Department at education@meskerparkzoo.com or 812-435-0808.

#weareaza #zoocamp #zoo #meskerparkzoo #summercamp
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Monday, a large group from the Opportunity Center spent the day exploring the Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden in Evansville. 🦁🌿

From observing exotic wildlife to enjoying the peaceful beauty of the botanical areas, our participants had a meaningful and memorable experience. These kinds of outings provide not only recreation, but also opportunities for learning, connection, and personal enrichment.

We’re grateful for days like this—filled with discovery, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us. 📸 Take a look at some of the wonderful moments captured throughout our visit.

#OpportunityCenterOwensboro #CommunityConnection #EvansvilleZoo #AbilitiesInAction #LifelongLearning #EndlessPossibilities #MeskerParkZoo 🐾
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📣The Pandas need your help! Today is the LAST DAY to donate to the Run for the Red Pandas Campaign, and any donations made today will be MATCHED X3! The Red Panda network is more than 80% of their fundraising goal, and with your help, we can hit the goal. 

Just $1 can make an impact 🫶 
If you can't donate, no worries - simply share this post with your network! 

There are fewer than 10,000 Red Pandas left in the wild. Your support makes a difference ❤️
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Name that species!🔍

#WeAreAZA #zoo #meskerparkzoo
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Here’s your chance to support Mesker Park Zoo and their mission to help the rhinos!!! I have donated a portrait of our beautiful resident jaguar, Beliza, to be apart of the silent auction at “bowling for the rhinos”. I will stick the link in the comments and you can get tickets to this fun event while helping the cause!!

If you’re not interested in the bowling portion of the event, you can still go for the auction!! Go give your support and score some cool stuff!! meskerzoo #meskerzoo #rhinos #helptherhinos #helptheanimals #helpourcommunity #artist #artlove #jaguar #beliza #artistsofinstagram
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Sherman makes screaming and hairy look good.😎
#screaminghairyarmadillo
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Brews🍻, Wines🍷 & Excursions🐾 - Oh My!

Join us on June 14 from 4:00 to 8:30pm for an evening filled with local brews, delicious food trucks, live music, and exciting excursions! Don't wait—Zoo Brew tickets are selling quickly, and our penguin excursion is nearly sold out!🍻🐧

🎟Tickets for general admission and excursions can only be purchased online at 
https://meskerparkzoo.com/event/the-new-zoo-brew/

#Zoobrew #meskerparkzoo #zoo
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Triple your impact! 3️⃣🌟

There's only two days left to reach the finish line for #RunForRedPandas2025, and we're 80% of the way to our fundraising goal! 🏁

Starting today, your donations for Run for Red Pandas 2025 are being matched x3 by support from Cincinnati Zoo and Mesker Park Zoo. Don't miss this opportunity to make triple the impact on red panda conservation! ❤🐾

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#redpandanetwork #cincinnatizoo #meskerparkzoo #redpanda #redpandas #redpandaconservation #runforredpandas #saveredpandas #protectredpandas #lastofthefirstpanda #giftmatch #runforacause
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WE’RE BRIGHT-EYED AND BUSHY-TAILED 

🐿️ Say hello to our newest resident — Kemiri the Prevost’s Squirrel! 🐿️
This striking little mammal recently moved into the Discovery Center, where he’s sharing space with our Crested Wood Partridges. Native to Southeast Asia, Prevost’s squirrels are built for life in the trees — they’re excellent climbers and jumpers, and even use their tails like rudders for balance mid-leap!

With a sleek jet-black back, rusty-red belly, and a bold white stripe separating the two, Kemiri is a true showstopper… when he chooses to show himself! He sometimes may seek shelter in his cozy nest or tuck away from the crowd, so be sure to keep an eye out on your next visit. 

Stop by and see if you can spot him! 👀🧡 #MeskerParkZoo #weareAZA
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PENGUIN UPDATE!! 

This year, we had 2 successful hatches of Humboldt Penguins. They have been behind the scenes socializing, learning to take fish from their keepers, and soon will begin swimming lessons before they go out into the main pool with the rest of the colony. 

We’re doing the buddy system this year. While Polo is a little bit older than Hopscotch and is already starting to get in her water-proof feathers, we’re on Hopscotch’s time. Once Hopscotch grows in his water proof feathers, they will begin swimming lessons together. 

Polo hatched on February 10th and Hopscotch hatched on March 18th. 

Stay tuned for more Penguin Updates 🐧 😎 
#meskerparkzoo #weareaza
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HOURS & ADMISSION

Open 365 Days a Year!
Hours: 9am - 4pm

SUMMER rates

Adults (Ages 13+): $11.00
Children (age 3-12): $10.00
Children 2 and Under: Free

Address:
1545 Mesker Park Drive
Evansville, Indiana 47720

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