Your Erie Zoo will be closing early on October 1st at 3pm to prepare for our Lions, Tigers & Beers Fundraiser. Thank you for your understanding!
Tickets for Lions, Tigers & Beers go on sale Friday, September 2nd at 8am. Purchase yours here.
Erie Zoo News & Updates
The Erie Zoo Opens New Habitat and Welcomes New Species
Posted on July 20th, 2022 at 8:35 AM
Erie, PA – On Wednesday, July 20th the Erie Zoo announced the grand opening of the Hilbert Family Primate Habitat. The new space in the heart of the zoo currently features two Eastern black and white colobus monkeys with zoo officials planning to feature additional species in the near future. Read Full Press Release Below
Erie Zoo Economic Impact Study
Posted on June 21st, 2022 at 12:29 PM
Study Finds Erie Zoo Generated $100 Million in Economic Impact Over Five Years
Study shows long-term public investment pales in comparison to similar-sized zoos
Erie, PA (June 21, 2022) – A nationally recognized firm headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania published a pro-bono economic impact analysis today that found the Erie Zoo has generated more than $100 million in economic impact over the past five years. The study further concluded that the economic activity generates $21.2 million annually in Pennsylvania and that more than $17.8 million of those funds stays in Erie County alone.
Read Full Press Release and Economic Impact Study Below
The Main Building is Officially Open!
Posted on May 25th, 2022 at 10:15 AM
On Wednesday, May 25th the Erie Zoo is reopening their Main Building for the first time in over two years. As part of the zoo’s Wild Open Spaces Capital Campaign, construction on the building began in the fall of 2019 thanks to a generous gift from Erie philanthropist Tom Hagen. The goal of the project was to restore the building back to its historical 1930’s façade as well as make some minor improvements to the interior. Read the full Press Release below.
Chubby Unicorn Shirts Are Back!
Posted on May 5th, 2022 at 4:00 AM
They're back! And with a fresh new look! 
PRE-SALE for the new Save the Chubby Unicorns t-shirts starts now and runs through May 23rd! $5 of every shirt will go back to the International Rhino Foundation and rhino conservation!
*Sale Closed*
Erie Zoo says goodbye to long-time orangutan resident
Posted on March 21st, 2022 at 10:15 AM
Erie, PA – The Erie Zoo is saddened to announce the passing of ‘Joe’, a beloved member of the zoo family.
Joe Orangutan Update #3
Posted on March 16th, 2022 at 9:53 AM
At this moment Joe’s condition continues to be stable and the orangutan family remains behind the scenes... Read More Below
Joe Orangutan Update #2
Posted on March 11th, 2022 at 9:00 AM
Joe the orangutan’s condition continues to hold stable... Read More Below
Joe Orangutan Update
Posted on March 9th, 2022 at 9:17 AM
As many of you may have noticed, this past weekend Joe the orangutan was feeling under the weather and the family was off exhibit for opening weekend.
This past weekend primate keepers first observed Joe the Erie Zoo’s 36 year-old male Bornean orangutan displaying symptoms of decreased appetite, lethargy, and lack of engagement. A Covid-19 test was performed and the results came back negative. After careful consideration, the veterinary and animal care teams determined it would be in the family’s best interest to keep Joe, Dasa, and Otis behind the scenes in their bedroom area while investigating the cause.
Full update below.
Erie Zoo to pursue reaccreditation
Posted on November 17th, 2021 at 4:00 PM
Erie, PA -- The Erie Zoo confirms the loss of accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. While saddened by the news, the zoo team chooses to look at this as a learning opportunity, keeping their focus on providing excellent animal care and conservation education, while working on sustainable growth and advancement. The earliest the zoo can apply for reaccreditation is September of 2022.
