Happy 60th birthday to the Fort Wayne Zoo

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Happy birthday to the Fort Wayne Zoo. Staff, volunteers, and guests will celebrate Thursday as the zoo marks 60 years in our community.

“Everyone here at the Zoo is honored to be a part of the 60-year journey!” States Rick Schuiteman, Zoo Director and CEO, “When the Zoo first opened in 1965, Byron Novitsky, the chairman of the Board of Park Commissioners, stated that the Zoo was a ‘true demonstration of what the citizens can do,’ and that statement rings true today. Our Zoo is incredibly special because of the people: the passionate individuals who work here, the generous donors who inspire us to grow, and the guests who love wildlife as much as we do.”

Zoo representatives released the following:

Fort Wayne Zoo is excited to welcome guests to our 60th birthday celebration on Thursday, July 3. In honor of this celebration, admission will drop to $10, up to a $15 savings, for all guests. The birthday celebration will kick off at 8:45 a.m. with sweet treats and music.

Facts from opening day to today:
• In 1965, the Zoo had 18 habitats for guests to visit. Today, we have 69 habitats, 188 species and 1,500 animals in our care.
• Opening Day attendance was 6,000 guests. Since then, we have welcomed over 26,000,000 guests through the front gate.
• In 1965, the Zoo was comprised of five and one-half acres. Today, the Zoo stretches over 47 developed acers.
• From the start, the Zoo was one the nation’s few self-supporting zoos, earning all revenue from admissions, rides, donors, and concessions.