The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium opened on June 14, 1898, as Highland Park Zoo after a donation from philanthropist Christopher Lyman Magee. Set on 77 acres within Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood, the facility has grown from a small municipal menagerie into a full-scale zoo and aquarium complex that draws more than a million visitors each year.
From 2002 to 2022, the institution operated under the name Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium as part of a 20-year naming rights deal with PPG Industries, reverting to Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium after the agreement expired. Today it houses more than 8,000 animals representing over 600 species, including numerous threatened or endangered species, across themed areas like the African Savanna, Tropical Forest, and Water’s Edge.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Opened: June 14, 1898 (as Highland Park Zoo)
- Size: 77 acres
- Species: 600+ species, 8,000+ animals
- Annual visitors: Over 1 million
- Famous for: Water’s Edge polar bear and sea otter habitat
The Zoo & Aquarium Experience
Visitors move through distinct themed zones, including Forest Passage for Asian wildlife, the African Savanna, the primate-focused Tropical Forest, and The Islands. The aquarium wing and Water’s Edge, opened in 2007, let guests view polar bears, sea otters, sea lions, and elephant seals through underwater viewing areas designed to resemble a small coastal fishing village.
The zoo has also built a reputation around conservation breeding programs, including successful births of African elephant calves and endangered Amur tiger cubs, reflecting its ongoing role in species-preservation efforts beyond public exhibition.
History and Accreditation
The zoo’s roots trace back to WPA-era expansions in the late 1930s, when New Deal funding and foundation donations helped build what was then the second-largest aquarium in the United States. The zoo lost its Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation in 2015 following a public controversy, then regained it in 2024 after implementing operational changes.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium FAQs
When did the Pittsburgh Zoo open?
It opened on June 14, 1898, as the Highland Park Zoo, funded by a donation from philanthropist Christopher Lyman Magee.
Why was it called Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium?
From 2002 to 2022, the zoo held a 20-year naming rights agreement with PPG Industries for the aquarium wing. The name reverted to Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium after the deal expired in 2022.
How many animals live at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium?
The zoo is home to more than 8,000 animals representing over 600 species, spread across 77 acres in Pittsburgh’s Highland Park neighborhood.
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Photo: User: (WT-shared) PerryPlanet at wts wikivoyage / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.