The Toledo Zoo situated in Toledo, Ohio is undoubtedly a great zoo and a perfect family destination. This zoo is home to more than 9000 animals of almost 800 different species.
It attracts millions of visitors from all over the world each year. Toledo Zoo is famous for its joyous events and fascinating exhibits that will make you relive the Arctic tundra and the African wilderness.
This zoo has taken part in more than 30 Species Survival Plans to save and protect endangered species. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as well as World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has accredited the Toledo Zoo.
The Toledo Zoo is an ideal getaway for your family to unwind, allowing nature and wilderness to cast a joyful and memorable impression.
Getting There
Toledo Zoo is situated 4 miles south of downtown Toledo. You will find the zoo on the crossway of OH 25 that falls between South Avenue and Woodsdale Ave/ Harvard Blvd.
As such Toledo Zoo can be reached via US 23 and I-75 for those traveling from the south. Those traveling from the east and west routes, are recommended to take I-80/90. it would be convenient for the ones traveling northbound to take I-75 in order to reach the zoo.
PDF maps with complete directions are available on the official website.
Toledo Zoo History
The Toledo Zoo is known to have quite a bizarre history. This zoo was established in 1900 on the occasion of the arrival of a woodchuck which had been donated to Toledo city.
Up till the year 1982, the ownership and management of the zoo was overseen by the city of Toledo. The plans and vision of transforming the Toledo Zoo into one of the finest and the third biggest zoo of United States continued to remain a vision.
However, from 1982 a series of infrastructural and other new facilities were introduced to the Toledo Zoo, once the management was handed over to the Toledo Zoological Society. In 1988 the popularity and success of one of the exhibits namely the Hippoquarium had fetched the zoo, two giant pandas as a loan from the country of China.
The Giant panda exhibit soon turned out to be a bane and a boon for Toledo Zoo. It had led the zoo to face consequences by the World Wildlife Foundation that had sued the zoo on grounds of panda exhibition in a short term loan. However this lawsuit was soon resolved and the panda exhibition continued. All in all, the controversy only ended up increasing the visitors of the zoo, more than ever before.
In the year 1999 the Association of Zoos and Aquariums presented the Toledo Zoo with the Exhibit Award for Excellence.
Toledo Zoo Exhibits
This zoo offers some of the best exhibits for you and your family to enjoy.
Hippoquarium
The exhibit features underwater viewing of hippopotami. In fact the hippopotami are the first species of its kind belonging to our world.
Visitors cannot afford to miss this one of a kind exhibit which was placed among one of the ten best animal exhibits in the nation, by USA Today. Hippoaquarium takes pride in the fact that a top educational and scientific institution like National Geographic had preferred to feature the exhibit.
Africa!
This exhibit built on a 12 acre plot has every feel of the African wilderness. Many animals native to the African continent including the Grant’s Zebra, impala, Masai giraffe, East African crowned cranes, Greater Kudu, Nile lechwe, wildebeest, ostrich and many more will be found strolling in the African plains. The 5 acre African Plains is by far the main exhibit that also has imitated termite mounds.
Visitors will love the experience as they find themselves exploring Africa! on the Safari Railway or observation decks.
African Savanna
The zoo tour is considered incomplete for visitors until they try the African Savanna. This ‘naturally landscaped’ exhibit simulates an African safari like feel. The grassland is home to Kori Bustards, cape clawless otters, African bush elephants, white rhinos, meerkats and the legendary white lions of Siegfried and Roy.
Arctic Encounter
Arctic Encounter is one such exhibit that will turn out to be both educational as well as a fascinating experience for families and children alike. The exhibit features underwater and above viewing of animals like seals, polar bears, wolves etc. Gray Wolf exhibit is a sub part of Artic Encounter. Visitors get to view the wolf exhibit from a log cabin.
The exhibit also features two magnificent waterfalls and 7 saltwater streams.
Almost 4000 square feet land and 3000 square feet of salt water have been dedicated as habitat for seals. Similarly over 6000 square feet of land and 1600 square feet of water belong to the polar bear exhibit.
Aquarium
This exhibit boasts of featuring 253 kinds of animal species. Visitors can feast their eyes on a brilliant collection of almost 2800 animals in the Aquarium. The exhibit showcases an array of the most exclusive and beautiful marine life including moon jellies, piranhas, Japanese spider crabs, arapaima, African cichlids, flashlight fish, discus, Giant Pacific Octopus, lake sturgeons and many more. The ‘Living Reef’ exhibit is also a sub part of the Aquarium.
Aviary
The exhibit has been recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for ultimate excellence inspite of being built in the zoo’s oldest renovated building. As such the exhibit flaunts its Exhibit Award of Excellence.
The Aviary has a beautiful collection of pretty and exotic birds including Cuban Amazons, green broadbills, sunbitterns, Rhinoceros Hornbills, Cuban Grassquits and many more.
This exhibit is significant for having hatched saddle-billed storks that is quite rare, making Toledo Zoo among the only five zoos in the world to have hatched this particular species of bird.
Kingdom of the Apes
The exhibit features chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas and orangutans strolling in a 0.3 acre Gorilla Meadow.
Museum of Science
The exhibit has been sub divided into two exhibits namely the Amazing Amphibians and The Crawlspace.
The Crawlspace is the ultimate den for bugs with hundreds of bugs like beetles, scorpions, tarantulas etc representing almost 20 species.
Amazing Amphibians features more than 26 species of salamanders, frogs and caecilians.
Tiger Terrace
The exhibit features Amur tigers, Asian sloth bears, White naped Cranes along with African penguins. **A female tiger including her two cubs are a special attraction of Tiger Terrace.
Other popular exhibits of the Toledo Zoo include Bald Eagles, Cheetah Valley, Children’s Zoo, Snow Leopard, Reptile House, Ziems Conservatory, Nature’s Neighborhood and Primate Forest.
Please log onto the official website for more information.
Toledo Zoo Events
At the Toledo Zoo, there are events to suit every mood and every season. There is spring events, summer events and winter events held at the zoo.
Some of the winter events are enlisted below.
Lights before Christmas
A light before Christmas is a popular annual event showcased by the zoo. The event heightens the Christmas spirit and feel by displaying millions of Christmas lights across the zoo compound. Over 200 animal images, carolers, beautiful ice carvings and model trains of Swanton Area Railroad aptly compliment the ambience. There is Santa too!
Dancing Lights, which is the primary show of the occasion is held near the Cheetah Valley.
Lights before Christmas, begins from November 16 and last up till December 31.
Frozentoesen
The event is laden with fun activities as well as ‘Cabin Fever Feeds’ theatric and musical performances. Many aesthetic ice carving presentments are also featured in this event.
This annual winter event is loved and frequented by patrons.
Frozentoesen goes on from January to February. Please note that the zoo admission tickets are half priced throughout the course of this event.
Toledo Zoo Hours
The zoo hours are as follows
Labor Day to Memorial Day:
10.00am – 4.00pm
Memorial Day to Labor Day:
10.00am – 5.00pm
Please note that during the months of May and September the zoo will be open from:
Weekdays
10.00am – 4.00pm
Weekends
10.00am – 5.00pm
Toledo Zoo is closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Toledo Zoo Admissions
Ticket rates at the zoo are as follows.
Adults: $11.00
Seniors (60 years and above): $8.00
Children (between 2 – 11 yrs of age): $8.00
Children 2 yrs old and below: Free
Zoo Members: Free
Please note that both admission fee and parking are free for the zoo members.
Please log onto the official website for group rates and online membership.
The Toledo Zoo continues to be a number family spot as well as an amazing legacy even after a period of over 100 years.
Contact Details
Toledo Zoo
P.O. Box 140130
Toledo, OH 43614
Main Line: 419-385-5721
Information Line: 419-385-4040
