Montebello Barnyard Zoo

About Montebello Barnyard Zoo

Montebello Barnyard Zoo is at 600 Rea Drive in Montebello, California, in Grant Rea Park. The Calo News reported in 2024 that the zoo is set up as a corporation under WRW, Inc. on a site the city allowed the Wolovich family to use. It is not AZA accredited. The zoo's website describes school visits as a hands-on learning experience with many different types of animals.

History

According to a July 15, 2024 Calo News report, the zoo has existed since the 1960s and began with the barn and a pond with animals; the pond was one of its first attractions. Rolando Wolovich owned the zoo for 35 years. During that time he built a pony ride and a train ride, later replaced by a John Deere tractor ride, along with a seating area that can be rented for birthday parties.

Wolovich was born in Argentina in 1955 and was part of an equestrian team there, taking part in horse shows and jumping in Argentina, Brazil, and Spain. His family moved to the United States in 1981, where he worked at the Lakewood Equestrian Center and later trained riders. The Calo News reported that Wolovich passed away on June 10, 2024, at age 68, in his shop at the zoo. His daughter, Melanie Wolovich, who began working with him at the zoo at age 30, told the paper that the zoo's staff were trying to keep it the same.

Exhibits and habitats

The Calo News reported in 2024 that the zoo has over 50 animals, including donated and rescued animals. The zoo's website says most of its animals have been there a long time, that most are rescues and some were donated, and that all of them are vaccinated and have yearly physicals. The website says the only animals visitors may feed and pet are the ponies, donkeys, sheep, and goats. The zoo asks guests not to feed the ducks or throw food into the pond, and says pond water is changed every two weeks.

Attractions listed on the website include pony rides, a John Deere ride, a petting zoo, a picnic area, and a playground, plus animal feed, mining for stones, and glitter tattoos.

Conservation and programs

The zoo offers birthday party areas by reservation and school field trips, and its website lists a traveling zoo for school field trips to Los Angeles County cities including Los Angeles, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Commerce, Monterey Park, Whittier, Downey, and Long Beach, among others. The Calo News reported that local schools take field trips to the zoo, that it has summer camp visits, and that it brings animals close to home for residents of Montebello, which the paper described as a predominantly Latino and Hispanic community. Melanie Wolovich told the paper that the zoo works with many children with disabilities.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, the zoo is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with holiday schedules that may vary; the website lists Memorial Day hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket and ride details are on the zoo's website. The phone number is 213-718-5442.