Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden — Zoo in Evansville

Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden and its collection

Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, opened in 1928, is a zoo in Evansville, United States.

History

Gilmore M. Haynie, together with other businessmen, established the zoo in 1928, the idea having been promoted by Karl Kae Knecht, a cartoonist at the Evansville Courier & Press. Two lion cubs, an elephant and some antelope made up the opening collection. A replica of the Santa Maria built at one-third scale was turned into a monkey exhibit in 1933, and the city government runs the zoo.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include jaguar, budgerigars, penguins and Giraffe.

Exhibits

Amazonia, given over to the rainforests of Central and South America, opened in 2008, nine years after Lemur Forest. A Santa Maria replica, built to one-third scale, was converted for monkeys in 1933.

Things to do

Things to do include Penguin Feeding, Budgie Walkabout, Giraffe Feeding, Engelbrecht Carousel and Zoo Tram.

Conservation and approach

Breeding is carried out on the recommendation of AZA programmes, and recent young have included lesser tenrec, colobus, African crested porcupine, takin, sitatunga and Francois' langur. Critically endangered Mexican gray wolves are held, with the US Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plan for the species supported here.

What the venue says

• Budgie Walkabout
• The Rainforest Grill is the perfect way to cool off on warm summer days!
• We offer ample free parking right at the zoo entrance, ensuring a hassle-free start to your adventure.
• We do have 1 Handicapped Accessible Chariot.
• Explore Mesker Park Zoo with ease by hopping on our Zoo Tram, which is handicap accessible.
• KultureCity Sensory bags are available for checkout at the front gate.