A beloved staple in the Fort Wayne community is our very own zoo. 

Fort Wayne Zoo will open for its 60th season following a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 28. 

“We can’t wait to welcome the community back to the zoo and begin celebrating our 60th birthday,” Executive Director Rick Schuiteman said. “We are celebrating 60 years of support from our community and the unforgettable experiences of the 25,615,315 guests that have walked through the zoo’s front gate.” 

While this is their 60th year, it will be their first without “Children’s” in the name, which was officially dropped Jan. 1.

“This new name will better reflect who we are and what we do, and our mission won’t change,” Schuiteman said in a press release at the time. “This name change will also help widen our audience, engage more people in our mission, our conservation efforts, and our future growth. We are more than a zoo for children. We are a zoo for all.”

Built from ground up

Before the zoo existed, the space at 3411 Sherman Blvd. was just a large plot of land added onto Franke Park in 1952 as a nature preserve. 

The preserve was loved and visited by so many community members that in 1965 they decided to begin having a small number of animals, thus beginning what we know as the zoo. 

The rapid progress of the zoo led to the additions of the African Veldt attraction, Australian Adventure, Indonesian Rain Forest, Orangutan Valley, and Tiger Forest. Now, there are multiple regions, buildings, and adventures to visit throughout the park, as well as rides such as Sky Safari, the Z.O.&O. Railroad, Crocodile Creek Adventure Ride, Endangered Species Carousel Ride, and Nature Play. 

One of the most recent and very popular additions has been the Red Panda Ridge, which opened in 2023, along with Bamboo Forest Adventure Play later that summer.

New sights, familiar nights

So, what is the zoo adding on for this season? 

In 2025, you’ll be able to visit Glo Wild and Coastal Cove, and the zoo is offering Wild Wednesdays again.

• Glo Wild is a gorgeous nighttime lantern festival that will span just around 1 mile within the park. According to the event description, “Step into a land of glowing landscapes and stand toe to toe with towering animals in larger-than-life lantern displayed. The colorful and immersive adventure is open on select evenings from 6:30-9:30 p.m. March 27-May 26.” Ticketing information can be found at fwzoo.com/glowild. 
• Coastal Cove introduces new residents, harbor seals, to live with the popular sea lions. This addition is a great way to educate visitors on the differences between the marine animals as well as make the area more comfortable for the cuties.
• Wild Wednesdays are a great way to save some money while still getting to enjoy the zoo in its entirety. This event is offered Wednesday nights from May through July.

Shining a light

When it comes to the new sights at the zoo, Schuiteman does not have to think hard about what has him most excited.

“No question, Glo Wild,” he said. “It’s a brand-new nighttime festival, one that this community has never seen before. 

“These lanterns are enormous, colorful, and so much fun. It’s our mission in a whole new light.” 

Coastal Cove is not far behind on the excitement scale.

“This remodeled habitat includes all new rockwork for the animals, including a new sunning beach,” Schuiteman said. “We’ve added a new viewing area and beautiful iconic lighthouse giving great Northwest vibes. 

“We’ve had sea lions in this space for years, but this spring we will introduce harbor seals. They are adorable, and I’m sure our guests will just love them. There will be daily presentations for visitors to learn more about these fantastic pinnipeds. 

“Guests who venture over to the Reef Aquarium will see over 70 new fish including a wobbegong and zebra shark.” 

Get ready to have a summer full of fun with beautiful animals and wonderful activities. Grab your tickets or season pass now for the Fort Wayne Zoo.

“I am so grateful to this amazing community for 60 years of fulfilling our mission and supporting the zoo,” Schuiteman said. “We couldn’t have this incredible zoo without the support of Fort Wayne. Most don’t realize that we are a self-supporting private nonprofit. We do not receive governmental funds, like most zoos, so admission, sponsorships, and donations are critical to our success.”