Erie Zoo

About Erie Zoo

The Erie Zoo, formally known as the Erie Zoo and Botanical Garden, sits on 15 acres in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is not AZA accredited. The zoo's own materials describe a collection of over 400 animals alongside 11 gardens spread across the grounds, and it publishes a species count of at least 600. Its stated mission is to foster appreciation of nature through memorable experiences and meaningful action.

The zoo operates seasonally, open daily from March 1 through November 30, and closes to the public for the rest of the year. As listed on the zoo's website, a comfortable walk through the grounds takes about two hours, putting it on the smaller side compared to larger regional zoos, with animal exhibits woven among its gardens rather than laid out as a single sprawling campus.

The Erie Zoo also runs a range of membership and corporate programs, including a Corporate Membership Program, a Business Connection Program, guided Animal Connections tours and experiences, and school-group field trips in spring, pointing to an institution that leans on local business and school partnerships alongside general admission.

History

Available source material for the Erie Zoo's history is limited mostly to recent milestones rather than a full founding narrative. In October 2024, the zoo launched a "100 Year Celebration" and unveiled a new centennial logo, describing the year as marking 100 years of connecting the community with wildlife and nature, with celebrations planned to continue into 2025. In November 2024, the zoo announced it had been awarded $2 million in state funds through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to support a new veterinary center. In February 2025, the zoo announced its first Chinese Lantern Festival, called "Glow Wild" and produced by Hanart Culture, running from April 17 through June 15 with illuminated evening hours Thursday through Sunday.

Exhibits and habitats

Specific exhibit names are not well documented in the materials available for this profile. The zoo references an Australian Walkabout area, which is off-limits to certain novelty scooter rentals to maintain distance from animal habitats, and mentions a leopard exhibit near one of its concession locations. Beyond these, the zoo's promotional materials describe its grounds primarily in terms of its 11 gardens and overall animal collection rather than naming individual exhibits.

Animal highlights

At least 600 species are listed on the zoo's website, and the zoo describes its living collection as home to over 400 animals in total. Beyond these published figures, the materials available for this profile do not name specific species on exhibit.

Conservation and programs

The Erie Zoo runs the Last Chance Lagoon program, established in September 2023 as a permanent sanctuary for surrendered pet goldfish and koi. Owners looking to give up a fish complete an intake form, and each animal goes through a mandatory 30-day quarantine with a veterinary check and treatment before joining the lagoon. The program is aimed at reducing the number of unwanted goldfish and koi released into the Great Lakes Watershed, where escaped fish can spread disease, disturb sediment, and compete with native species; as of April 2024, the program had found homes for 52 goldfish. The zoo also accepts financial donations to help cover the roughly $200 quarantine cost per fish.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, the Erie Zoo is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with last admission at 4:15 pm, from March 1 through November 30; hours vary in October and the zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day. Admission pricing listed for the May-through-September season includes $13 for adults, $9 for children, and $11 for seniors 62 and older. Free admission is offered every Sunday from 3 to 5 pm, and military members receive $1 off admission per adult.

The zoo has wheelchair-accessible routes throughout, and manual wheelchairs are available to rent free of charge at the gift shop, subject to availability; motorized scooters rent for $26 and strollers for $8 (single) or $10 (double), with wagons at $11, all through a third-party rental vendor. Pets are not allowed on zoo grounds, though guide dogs are permitted. Concession stands operate throughout the park with hours that vary by season and location, and the gift shop near the front entrance also houses the zoo's lost and found. Group discounts are available for schools, churches, scout groups, and camps with advance arrangement.

Because hours, pricing, and rental costs are all subject to change, confirm current details on the Erie Zoo's official website before visiting.