Baton Rouge Zoo

3rd most complete listing in Louisiana

Baton Rouge Zoo and its collection

Baton Rouge Zoo, opened in 1970, is a zoo in Baton Rouge, United States.

The parish recreation and park commission, BREC, owns and runs the zoo, which holds over 800 animals.

History

The WAFB television host "Buckskin" Bill campaigned for a zoo at the close of his children's show, and a penny drive collected over 600,000 pennies to buy the first two elephants, Penny and Penny Two. Accreditation was lost in March 2018 over infrastructure faults and escapes, then regained in 2024.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include Sumatran Tiger, Chilean Flamingo, Pygmy Hippopotamus, Siamang and Eastern Black Rhinoceros.

Exhibits

Otter Pond has a mock fishing cabin giving underwater views of river otters. Realm of the Tiger opened in 2010 within a $5 million redevelopment. An air-conditioned Louisiana aquarium building shows arachnids, reptiles, amphibians and fish native to the state.

Things to do

Things to do include Giraffe Chat, Otter Chat, Black Rhino Chat, Tortoise Bath and Running of the Ducks.

Conservation and approach

The zoo is enrolled in over 30 Species Survival Plans, among them the eastern black rhino and the golden lion tamarin, both of which have been returned to the wild. Education work reaches over 45,000 children annually through camps, classes and outreach.

What the venue says

Tortoise Bath
Running of the Ducks
Train
This is the primary dining spot, open daily to serve a variety of hot food, snacks, and drinks for visitors of all ages
completely free
Sensory Inclusive
Strollers and wheelchairs are available on a first come, first served basis.
service animal

Images of Baton Rouge Zoo

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Louisiana Sea Grant College Program Louisiana State University, CC-BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Kkmurray, CC-BY-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Kkmurray, CC-BY-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Kkmurray, CC-BY-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Kkmurray, CC-BY-2.5, via Wikimedia Commons