For generations of Fort Wayne residents, the local zoo has been more than just a place to see animals — it’s been the backdrop for countless family memories, first dates, school field trips, and summer adventures.
That’s why it’s an exciting development that as the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025, it’ll do so with a name change to “The Fort Wayne Zoo.”
“The Zoo is a beacon in the Fort Wayne Community, and it was with that mindset that the Zoo’s Board of Directors voted to update the name to the Fort Wayne Zoo,” said Tom Ackmann, President of the Board of Directors. “This isn’t a new debate, but a topic that has come up frequently for many years. In October, the board voted in support of the name change.”
60th Birthday Celebrations
This year’s birthday will be celebrated throughout al of 2025 with an expanded calendar of events designed to pay homage to the zoo’s past and its future vision. Beginning with the all new “Glowild: A Wild & Wonderful Lantern Festival,” which runs from March 27 through May 25.
The summer months will feature the local favorite, “Wild Wednesdays,” which runs until 8 p.m. each from May through July, allowing families to visit the zoo after work and school activities.
The popular adult-oriented “Rock and Roars” events continue with five Thursday evening events (June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31, and August 14) that combine live local music with good food and drink.
Fall brings the return of the “Wild Zoo Halloween” every weekend in October. It has become a treasured fall tradition for families seeking a non-frightening alternative to traditional haunted attractions. The event regularly draws visitors from throughout northeastern Indiana and northwestern Ohio.
The year’s celebrations conclude with “Wild Zoo Wonderland,” running select days from November 28 through December 31, featuring light displays and visits from Santa. For many locals, this has become a favorite even to attend every year.
Fort Wayne Is Growing, and So Is Their Zoo
The zoo’s impact on Fort Wayne is more significant than a simple day of family fun. This beloved establishment is more than just a fun place to visit, but it also supports animal education in the community through field trips, zoo in the classroom, and nature camps.
April Hargan, a Fort Wayne local, says, “Our family LOVES the Fort Wayne Zoo. It is a fantastic zoo and close enough that we can go all the time. We have so much fun seeing the animals and learning from the zoo keepers. We’ve had so much fun as a family exploring and learning. The zoo is a huge asset to our town.”
The Fort Wayne Zoo’s growth mirrors Fort Wayne’s own evolution from a mid-sized industrial city to a city of a quarter of a million people. Fort Wayne is the second fastest growing city in the Great Lakes Area and is forecast to grow by another .6% this coming year.
Plus, tourism is on the rise. The city welcomed 9.2 million visitors last year and is forecast to grow over the next decade. The zoo sees half a million visitors a year, but as tourism grows, the zoo is ready to meet the needs of tourists and locals alike.
This last year, the Fort Wayne Zoo refurbished Coastal Cove, its newest exhibit, home to California sea lions and harbor seals. The zoo also plays an important role in conservation efforts, with breeding programs for endangered species and financial support for wildlife protection initiatives on three continents.
Joe Smith is the Director of Animal Programs at The Fort Wayne Zoo. He says, “For so long, people have viewed zoos as an entertainment venue and, for a long time, zoos would have to get guests in the door and sneak in a conservation education message. We need to do a better job of focusing on the fact we’re conservation organizations. We need to make sure the walk we walk matches the talk we talk.”
Complete details on anniversary events, including historical exhibits documenting the zoo’s development, are available on the zoo’s website.
