Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society sits inside Dreher Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, on a lush 23-acre site that has drawn visitors since it opened in 1961. What began as a small municipal attraction called the Dreher Park Farm Zoo has grown into an AZA-accredited facility housing over 500 animals, with a strong focus on conservation and education alongside its exhibits.
The zoo’s tropical setting supports habitats ranging from Central and South American rainforest to Florida wetlands, letting guests move between ecosystems in a single visit. Signature spaces like the Tropics of the Americas and Tiger Falls give the zoo a distinct identity among Florida’s mid-size zoos, while its conservation partnerships extend well beyond South Florida.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Dreher Park, West Palm Beach, Florida
- Opened: 1961
- Size: 23 acres
- Animal Count: Over 500 animals
- Annual Visitors: About 300,000
- Accreditation: Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
- Famous For: Tropics of the Americas and Tiger Falls habitats
The Zoo Experience
Visitors move through themed zones including the Harriet W. and George D. Cornell Tropics of the Americas, an $18 million complex opened in 2004 that recreates Mayan ruins alongside jaguars, giant anteaters, and capybaras. The Henry and Charlotte Kimelman Tiger Falls habitat, opened in 2000 and expanded as Tiger River in 2015, gives Malayan tigers room to roam near cascading water features.
The Florida Wetlands exhibit recreates a native cypress swamp, spotlighting local species often overlooked next to more exotic animals. Daily animal talks and encounters round out a visit that blends entertainment with conservation messaging throughout the grounds.
Conservation and History
In 2014, the organization renamed itself the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society to underscore its mission beyond public exhibits. Its Melvin J. and Claire Levine Animal Care Complex, opened in 2009, became the nation’s first Gold LEED-certified zoo animal hospital and now houses a Center for Conservation Medicine.
The zoo maintains conservation partnerships reaching beyond Florida, including collaborative projects tied to institutions like the University of Georgia and field work in countries such as Bolivia and Malaysia, reflecting its shift from a simple municipal zoo to a conservation-focused organization.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Palm Beach Zoo FAQs
Where is the Palm Beach Zoo located?
It’s located in Dreher Park in West Palm Beach, Florida.
How big is the Palm Beach Zoo?
The zoo covers about 23 acres within the larger Dreher Park.
When did the Palm Beach Zoo open?
It opened in 1961, originally known as the Dreher Park Farm Zoo.
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Photo: airwaves1 / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.