BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo Connecting people to wildlife through engaging experiences & conservation efforts globally & locally. BREC was a finalist for the award in 1998.

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo was a dream of the Recreation and Parks Commission as early as 1960. In 1965, the taxpayers passed a millage election that provided more than three-quarters of a million dollars to build the facility. At that time, a Zoo Director was employed to help design and implement the plans for the Zoo. Matching funds were obtained from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Construction b

egan in 1966 and BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo first opened to the public on Easter Sunday, 1970. The residents of East Baton Rouge fully embraced the concept of the new Zoo, and a sense of ownership was instilled in the community, aided by the urging of television personality Buckskin Bill. The words of Buckskin Bill, "Baton Rouge needs a Zoo" at the end of his television program rallied the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. Entertainment and Culture
The Zoo is a place where people connect with animals. Over the past forty years, the Zoo has grown to become the #1 year-round family attraction in Baton Rouge. With more than a quarter million guests each year, the Zoo attracts visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The Zoo is a favorite place for families and groups to discover the animal kingdom. Professionalism
Today, BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is home to animals from around the world including tigers, black rhinos, flamingos, alligators and giraffes. The Baton Rouge Zoo was the first zoo in Louisiana to achieve the distinguished honor of being accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. As a leader in the zoo field, the Baton Rouge Zoo was accredited in 1977, four years before any other zoos in the state and eight years before such accreditation was mandatory for membership in this prestigious professional association. Conservation
The Zoo is very active in conservation programs and fully participates with other zoos around the world in nearly 30 international Species Survival Plans (SSP) for critically endangered species. Three of these SSP animals, the Guam Rail, Arabian Oryx, and Golden Lion Tamarin, have been successfully reintroduced into the wild and represent living proof of our long-term commitment of reintroduction to strengthen and supplement wild populations of endangered and threatened wildlife. Education and Research
The Zoo conducts active outreach and in-house educational programs. These programs are aimed at making the public aware of the problems confronting the wildlife of the world. Our educational programs reach thousands of children in school groups each year. Educational programming has expanded to include activities such as community outreach programs, reading programs, day camps, weekend classes, teacher workshops, on-site live animal and artifacts encounters and demonstrations. The demand for our educational programs increases every year. We also work very closely with the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine conducting research on several species. Behavioral studies are also conducted through other departments at Louisiana State University as well as other colleges throughout our region. A Facility of BREC
BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is owned and operated by the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC), a public government agency. BREC was created by an act of the Louisiana State Legislature in 1946 and is governed by a nine member appointed Commission. BREC is funded by Ad Valorem taxes, fees and charges and grants, gifts and donations. The BREC system is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. BREC has won the prestigious National Gold Medal Award for excellence in Recreation and Park Administration in 1975 and 1991. Community Support Organization
BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is supported by the Friends of the Baton Rouge Zoo organization. The Friends' mission is to support the Zoo and its programs. The Friends work closely with BREC to raise funds for the capital projects, increase attendance through events, and to promote community involvement. The Friends of the Zoo has a Federal Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) status.

🌟 Calling all animal-loving teens! 🌟Join Zoo Krewe at the Zoo and gain hands-on experience with animal care and handling...
03/07/2025

🌟 Calling all animal-loving teens! 🌟

Join Zoo Krewe at the Zoo and gain hands-on experience with animal care and handling! 🦁🐢🐒

✅ Ages 13-17 with a 3.0 GPA
✅ 100 summer volunteer hours + 16 hours/month during school
✅ Learn, grow, and make a difference!

📍 Apply now & get more info: brzoo.org/programs/zoo-krewe
📧 Questions? Email [email protected]

03/06/2025

Mardi Gras may be over, and now we’re into the Lenten season, but we can’t forget the incredible fun we had celebrating! 💜💛💚 That’s a wrap on Krewe de Zoo! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined our Krewe and made this Mardi Gras season unforgettable. Our animal friends had a blast—beads, treats, and all! 🦩🐊🎉

Enjoy this cute video of Spencer and Ginger enjoying their "king cake" courtesy of our zoo keeper Alicia Buckland! 🎭🎂🐾 Until next year, laissez les bon temps rouler!

03/06/2025

Go behind the scenes with us for some pint-sized animal fun at Kids Zoo! 🐾✨

Happy Mardi Gras!!! Thank you to everyone who participated in Krewe de Zoo! Our animals had a blast celebrating Mardi Gr...
03/04/2025

Happy Mardi Gras!!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in Krewe de Zoo! Our animals had a blast celebrating Mardi Gras—our gator loved strolling around with his colorful beads, the Pygmy hippos delighted in their veggie and fruit king cake, and the flamingos joined in on all the lively festivities. Thank you to our excellent keepers, Allison O’Donnell, Savannah Shirley, Alicia Buckland and our Education Curator Jennifer Shields, for making this happen!

Your support made these joyful moments possible, and we are so grateful for your participation.

Thanks for helping make this Mardi Gras one to remember for our animal friends!

It may be Lundi Gras, but today is also World Wildlife Day, a day to recognize the incredible species we share our plane...
03/03/2025

It may be Lundi Gras, but today is also World Wildlife Day, a day to recognize the incredible species we share our planet with—and the urgent need to protect them. At , we’re committed to walking the walk regarding conservation, working with zoos worldwide, and supporting global efforts to save critically endangered species.

🦏🐅 From donating thousands to conservation projects to caring for endangered species here at the Zoo, every visit helps support this miss. We’re committed to walking the walk regarding conservation, working with zoos worldwide, and supporting global efforts to save critically endangered species.

🦎✨ Leapin’ Lizards at Zoo & Me Morning - next month on March 8th! ✨🦎Calling all little adventurers (ages 3-5) and their ...
02/28/2025

🦎✨ Leapin’ Lizards at Zoo & Me Morning - next month on March 8th! ✨🦎

Calling all little adventurers (ages 3-5) and their grown-ups! Join us for a fun-filled morning featuring hands-on activities, animal encounters, arts & crafts, "Zooper" snacks, and more—all themed around Leapin’ Lizards! 🦖🎨🐊

📅 Pre-registration & advanced payment required.
📞 Call 225.775.3877 x 6 to save your spot!

We are celebrating 55 amazing years of the Zoo being open at Zippity Zoo Fest! Join us April 5 & 6. 🦁🐯🐵Gates open at 9:3...
02/26/2025

We are celebrating 55 amazing years of the Zoo being open at Zippity Zoo Fest! Join us April 5 & 6. 🦁🐯🐵

Gates open at 9:30 AM on both Saturday and Sunday with a full lineup of fun:

🎨 Enjoy the Children’s Village (it's back in its beloved location at the pavilion)
🍔 Prowl the Food Court
🎂 Enjoy Free Cake
🦉 Explore Animal Encounters & Keeper Chats
🎭 Enjoy Face Painting & The Dinosaur Experience shows
👑 Meet Your Favorite Characters
& more!

Don’t miss the party—visit BRZoo.org for all the details! 🎂🎶

Who remembers Buckskin Bill? (Comment below if you do!)

During Guaranty’s ownership of WAFB-TV, Buckskin Bill not only captivated kids in his storyland cabin but also inspired the Baton Rouge community with his famous sign-off: “Baton Rouge needs a Zoo!” He even ran a penny drive that raised over 600,000 pennies to purchase the zoo’s first two elephants, Penny and Penny Two!

Thanks to Buckskin Bill's dedication, the Baton Rouge Zoo opened its doors in 1970. You're never fully dressed until you’ve put on a smile, and Buckskin Bill certainly brought smiles to us all! BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo Guaranty Media

🐯🍸 NEW Name, NEW Drinks, Same Wild Experience! 🍷🐾Our beloved Wild Wine Walk is now Roar and Pour—and we’re shaking thing...
02/26/2025

🐯🍸 NEW Name, NEW Drinks, Same Wild Experience! 🍷🐾

Our beloved Wild Wine Walk is now Roar and Pour—and we’re shaking things up! This year, we’re adding spirits and craft cocktails alongside all your favorite wines. Enjoy the VIP perks, live music, and up-close animal encounters you love.

Join us for an evening of sips, sights, and wild vibes at the Zoo on May 2! 🎶🐆✨

🎟️ Tickets go on sale March 24—mark your calendars, and don’t miss out on this bold new twist on a classic favorite!

02/26/2025

Thank you for joining us our Year of the Snake Series! Can't get enough? Be sure to stop by the Baton Rouge Zoo! We'll see you there!

02/24/2025

something WILD is coming… 🐯 🍷 🍸

🎭🎉 Mardi Gras is here; we’ve got everything you need to celebrate in style! 🟣🟢💛 Stop by BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo Adventure...
02/22/2025

🎭🎉 Mardi Gras is here; we’ve got everything you need to celebrate in style! 🟣🟢💛 Stop by BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo Adventure Market Gift Shop for many festive finds—beads, masks, and more! 🦁✨ Don’t miss out—laissez les bons temps rouler! 🎭🎉

02/21/2025

Orchid, Vulcan, and Wilbur are just a few of our incredible snake friends! 🐍💚 From native Louisiana species to exotic reptiles, BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is home to a captivating variety of scaly companions. ✨

Is your group or studio interested in performing at Zippity Zoo Fest, our annual spring festival, on April 5 and 6? Ther...
02/21/2025

Is your group or studio interested in performing at Zippity Zoo Fest, our annual spring festival, on April 5 and 6? There is no fee associated with performing.

This year, celebrate the Zoo's 55th Birthday!

Form: https://form.jotform.com/240095845935162

🐾🦞 A huge thank you to Donita S. for her generous donation from our Amazon wish list! Our crawfish are claw-some-ly lovi...
02/20/2025

🐾🦞 A huge thank you to Donita S. for her generous donation from our Amazon wish list! Our crawfish are claw-some-ly loving their newest enrichment items. The baby crawfish are having a blast climbing over the cholla wood, providing the perfect hideaway for the little ones. Plus, the silk plants offer a great cover for crawfish of all sizes! 🌱💙

Want to donate to our animals? Link:https://brzoo.org/support/amazon-wish-list

📸 Swipe to see our crawfish enjoying their new gifts! ⬇️

Lacumba is a star! ✨✨✨Look who made the cover of The Reveille at LSU. Pick up a copy when you stop on campus!
02/20/2025

Lacumba is a star! ✨✨✨

Look who made the cover of The Reveille at LSU. Pick up a copy when you stop on campus!

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo will introduce its newest and most adorable member to the public this spring. The jaguar cub, officially named Lacumba III after Southern University’s mascot, was born in December 2024. Her birth was the zoo’s first since the ‘90s, and she is the first in the Jaguar Sp...

🎳✈️ STRIKE! A giant 4-foot bowling pin & ball have landed at Baton Rouge Airport! 🦒 In celebration of Baton Rouge hostin...
02/19/2025

🎳✈️ STRIKE! A giant 4-foot bowling pin & ball have landed at Baton Rouge Airport! 🦒

In celebration of Baton Rouge hosting the USBC Open Championship, this fun installation inside the airport’s giraffe exhibit is a playful nod to the excitement of the tournament.

With 60,000+ attendees expected at the Raising Cane’s River Center, Baton Rouge continues to shine as a top destination for major events. Catch this unique display now through August 2025!

The Zoo is where curiosity comes alive! 🐾✨ A place for kids to explore, discover, and marvel at the wonders of wildlife....
02/19/2025

The Zoo is where curiosity comes alive! 🐾✨ A place for kids to explore, discover, and marvel at the wonders of wildlife. 🦁🌿 Plan your visit today!

Spots will fill up fast! 🦁🐍 Don't miss an unforgettable summer at BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo! Set a calendar alert—registrat...
02/17/2025

Spots will fill up fast! 🦁🐍

Don't miss an unforgettable summer at BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo! Set a calendar alert—registration opens Feb. 22 for EBR Parish residents & March 3 for out-of-parish.

📅More info and the link to schedule, once it opens: https://brzoo.org/programs/zoo-camps

Address

13350 Highway 19
Baker, LA
70714

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4pm
Friday 9:30am - 4pm
Saturday 9:30am - 4pm
Sunday 9:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+12257753877

Website

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Videos

Mardi Gras may be over, and now we’re into the Lenten season, but we can’t forget the incredible fun we had celebrating! 💜💛💚 That’s a wrap on Krewe de Zoo! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined our Krewe and made this Mardi Gras season unforgettable. Our animal friends had a blast—beads, treats, and all! 🦩🐊🎉 Enjoy this cute video of Spencer and Ginger enjoying their "king cake" courtesy of our zoo keeper Alicia Buckland! 🎭🎂🐾 Until next year, laissez les bon temps rouler! #krewedezoo #BREC #BRZOO

Go behind the scenes with us for some pint-sized animal fun at Kids Zoo! 🐾✨#BRZOO #BREC

Thank you for joining us our Year of the Snake Series! Can't get enough? Be sure to stop by the Baton Rouge Zoo! We'll see you there! #YearOfTheSnake #BRZoo #BREC

Soon…
Soon…

something WILD is coming… 🐯 🍷 🍸

Orchid, Vulcan, and Wilbur are just a few of our incredible snake friends! 🐍💚 From native Louisiana species to exotic reptiles, BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is home to a captivating variety of scaly companions. ✨ #YearOfTheSnake #BRZoo #BREC

Scent enrichment is also a favorite way to keep our animals engaged - especially our snakes, which have an incredible sense of smell! Part 7 is next week! #YearOfTheSnake #BREC #BRZoo

Join the wildest krewe in town before the season ends for just $1, $3, or $5! Don’t miss out! Join Krewe de Zoo today! 💜💚💛 Link to purchase: https://brzoo.org/support/krewe-de-zoo

Wilbur, our charming hognose snake, has discovered a cozy new hideout! 🐍💛 Everyday items, like this children's toy, make fantastic enrichment for our animals—introducing them to new smells and environments keeps things exciting!✨ Stay tuned for more fun during our Year of the Snake celebration! #YearOfTheSnake #BRZoo

Of course, our reptiles get enrichments, too? 🐍✨ Orchid, our skilled Boa Constrictor, is a pro climber and always up for a challenge! 🌿 Continue to join us all month long for more fun facts about our beloved ambassador animals! #BREC #YearOfTheSnake #BRZoo

Our Year of the Snake series slithers on! 🐍✨ Did you know snakes shed their entire skin as they grow? Talk about a fresh start! Orchid, our beautiful Boa Constrictor, just shed her skin to kick off the year in style. 💅 #YearOfTheSnake #BRZoo

Slithering into the Year of the Snake with a fresh perspective! 🐍✨ Did you know snakes are powerful symbols of rebirth and new beginnings in many cultures? Their annual shedding reminds us of the beauty of starting anew. Not only are they masters of transformation, but these amazing creatures also play a vital role in keeping ecosystems in balance—bye-bye, pesky mice! #YearOfTheSnake #BRZoo

🐍✨ The Year of the Snake is here at #BRZoo! We're embracing the power of transformation. It's going to be another exciting year here at Baton Rouge Zoo! Stay tuned for more snake facts over the new few weeks! 🧧🎉 #ChineseNewYear #YearOfTheSnake #BRZOO

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