FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Today marks the end of the 2016 season for the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo.
It’s been a good year for the zoo, with the opening of the Outback, the third and final phase of the Australian Adventure’s three-year renovation. New baby kangaroos and penguins, and extended hours, also pleased guests, and the season was capped off with the announcements of new Tasmanian Devils and a new male lion planned for 2017.
This year, more than 571,000 people have visited the zoo.
“Our mission is connecting kids and animals, strengthening families, and inspiring people to care,” says Jim Anderson, Zoo Director. “We witnessed a significant increase in guest attendance in the late afternoon and evening hours. Staying open late this summer allowed us to impact more people and better serve our mission.”
Even though the regular season is ending, the zoo will reopen on Friday, October 14 for the “Wild Zoo Halloween” event. Crews will decorate the zoo with pumpkins, gourds, and animal sculptures in preparation for the “merry-not-scary,” family-friendly Halloween event, which runs October 14-16, 20-23, and 27-31 from Noon-5:00 PM with last admission at 5:00 PM and grounds closing at 6:00 PM.
