The Milwaukee County Zoo is a 190-acre zoological park located at 10001 W. Bluemound Road in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its roots trace back to 1892, when a small menagerie opened in the city’s Washington Park, but the zoo moved to its current, much larger site in 1961 and has grown into one of the Midwest’s premier animal attractions.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the zoo is home to more than 2,400 animals representing over 340 species, including one of the largest bonobo populations outside the Democratic Republic of Congo. Popular exhibits like the Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin Pool, the Stearns Family Apes of Africa building, and the vintage Safari Train, which has run since 1958, help draw over a million visitors annually.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Opened: 1892 (Washington Park); moved to current site in 1961
- Size: About 190 acres
- Species/Animal Count: Over 2,400 animals, 340+ species
- Annual Visitors: About 1.1 to 1.3 million
- Famous for: One of the largest bonobo populations outside the DRC
The Zoo Experience
Visitors can explore themed areas spanning primates, big cats, an African savanna-style Adventure Africa exhibit with elephants and hippos, and the Herb and Nada Mahler Family Aviary, home to more than 60 bird species. The Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin Pool and the Stearns Family Apes of Africa building, which opened in 1992, are among the zoo’s most visited habitats.
A ride on the Safari Train, a miniature railway that has circled the grounds since 1958, remains a favorite for families, while seasonal events add extra draws throughout the year.
History and Legacy
The zoo’s earlier Washington Park location was notable for hosting the second polar bear birth ever recorded in captivity and for Gertie the Duck, a wild mallard that became a local celebrity during World War II. Samson, a western lowland gorilla who lived at the zoo from 1950 to 1981, remains one of its most famous former residents; his skeletal remains are now displayed at the Milwaukee Public Museum.
Operated by Milwaukee County with support from the nonprofit Zoological Society of Milwaukee, the zoo continues to participate in species conservation breeding programs, including recent successes with red panda cubs, giraffe calves, and river otter pups.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Milwaukee County Zoo FAQs
How big is the Milwaukee County Zoo?
The zoo covers about 190 acres in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
How many animals live at the Milwaukee County Zoo?
The zoo is home to more than 2,400 animals representing over 340 species.
When did the Milwaukee County Zoo open?
The zoo originated in Washington Park in 1892 and relocated to its current, larger site in 1961.
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Photo: Michael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.