Information
Landmark: Baton Rouge ZooCity: Baton Rouge
Country: USA Louisiana
Continent: North America
Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge, USA Louisiana, North America
Overview
BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, at 13350 Highway 19 in Baker, Louisiana, sprawls across 133 acres and was the first zoo in the state to earn accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.It’s built to blend learning, conservation, and fun, drawing visitors into an up-close wildlife experience where you might hear the rustle of leaves as a deer steps through the brush.The zoo is home to more than 1,800 animals from around the world, each living in carefully designed habitats.In the Realm of the Tiger, you can spot Malayan and Sumatran tigers, hear the calls of Siamang gibbons, watch bright koi glide through a pond, and wander beneath the wings of exotic birds in a walk‑through Asian aviary.Visitors can watch these animals roam in spaces designed to feel like the wild, from rustling grass to shaded rocky corners.At Otter Pond, you can watch North American river otters glide through the water from an underwater viewing window, then step into a cozy replica fishing cabin that captures the feel of their natural home.L’Aquarium de Louisiane showcases Louisiana’s native aquatic life-fish flashing silver in the shallows, sleek amphibians, reptiles, and even arachnids-celebrating the region’s rich biodiversity.At Twiga Oasis, you’ll find reticulated giraffes and Thomson’s gazelles, plus a feeding station where visitors hand crisp lettuce leaves to the giraffes.Giants of the Islands features Aldabra and Galápagos giant tortoises, showing off their remarkable lifespans and the unique ways they’ve adapted, from sturdy domed shells to slow, deliberate movements.Africa features cheetahs, eastern black rhinos, zebras, gazelles, nyalas, bongos, pygmy hippos, colobus monkeys, red river hogs, Nubian ibexes, ostriches, and Egyptian geese, surrounding you with the sights and sounds of a bustling savanna.The newest residents-a Red River hog, a pair of Dama gazelles, shaggy Andean bears, a black rhinoceros, and a sure‑footed Nubian ibex-are settling in behind the scenes, where vets run their checks and each animal waits out quarantine before meeting the crowd.The playground got a few upgrades, like new swings, making the place feel even more welcoming for families.Visitor hours run 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the last ticket sold at the gate before the peacocks start calling you toward the exit at 5:00.In summer, the gate stays open until 5:00, and the grounds close an hour later.The zoo is closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.Admission fees are $10 for adults and teens, $8.50 for seniors, $7 for kids ages 2 to 12, and free for little ones under 2; the zoo also runs hands-on programs like Zoo & Me Morning, where three- to five-year-olds can explore and play alongside a parent.Keeper Chats are lively staff-led talks where you’ll hear how we care for the animals-right down to the crunch of fresh carrots-and protect their wild homes.Ambassador Animal Meet & Greets let you get face-to-face with a few special creatures-maybe feel the brush of a soft feather or see curious eyes blink back at you.Seasonal events like "Rockin’ at the Swamp," "Duck Duck Goose Day," and "Swamp Haunted Hikes" invite visitors to explore nature and wildlife, from dancing under the pines to spotting birds along the trail.The zoo is renovating in stages, adding things like shaded walkways and quieter enclosures to make visits more enjoyable and life better for the animals.They’ve finished upgrades that add fresh enclosures, move the giraffe exhibit closer so visitors can feed them, and refresh the playgrounds with bright new equipment.They’re planning to add an amphitheater and bring in more exhibits, including spaces where you can hear music echo under the open sky.You’ll find BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo at 13350 Highway 19 in Baker, LA 70714-call (225) 775‑3877 for details.Families and wildlife lovers can explore everything from playful otters to exotic birds, with hands‑on programs that blend fun, learning, and conservation.
