What are the opening hours?

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

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Home
United States
Evansville, IN
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

We cultivate connections between people and nature that inspire action for the planet. For more information - please visit https://www.meskerparkzoo.com/

Winter Rates:
Adults: $9.00
Children (age 3 -12): $9.00
Children 2 and Under: Free

Open 365 days a year and located on the rolling hills of Evansville's westside.

11/16/2024

“Oh hey there!”🐍

Our Red-tailed Green Rat Snake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum) is this week’s This little guys is a master at camouflage, so you’ll have to look closely!

As of 2015, the Red-tailed Green Ratsnake was categorized as "Least Concern" by the IUCN due to its relatively healthy population estimated at 15,000-20,000 individuals across its range. However, recent data as of 2022 indicates a decline in its numbers, with an estimated population of around 10,000-15,000. Despite this decline, it still retains its "Least Concern" status. They are native to the forests of Southeast Asia. It is a tiny but mighty snake, with wide smooth scales on its belly that are ideal for climbing trees and across branches. In the wild, the Red-tailed Green Rat Snake feeds almost exclusively on birds, bird eggs, lizards, and bats. It catches them in mid-air while hanging amongst branches!

11/15/2024

Happy Friday! The weekend is slithering in...🐍

11/14/2024

📢EXCITING NEWS
Over the last year, you may have seen work happening on a large exhibit in the Asia loop of the zoo. That's because we were preparing to welcome a brand new species to Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden!

We recently welcomed three Chacoan peccaries (catagonus wagneri) and couldn't be more excited for you to learn more about them. Peccary are the only native new world suid! Chacoan peccaries can be found throughout the arid Gran Chaco region of South America. This species is the largest species of peccary and was thought to be extinct by the scientific community up until 1972! They evolved separately from the European pig species and are only found in the Americas. Currently, they are listed as endangered with populations continuing to decrease. You may find these three pals hanging out under a shade tree, wallowing in their mud pit, or rooting around the exhibit. (you might notice temporary color markings on their bodies, this is to allow their care team to get to know each individual and identify them).

We are so excited to welcome this species to the Zoo and be a part of their Species Survival Plan and conservation efforts to help protect Chacoan peccaries in their natural habitat.

11/14/2024

"Breakfast with Santa Paws?! I otterly can't believe it!"🦦🎅

Tickets are on sale now! Tickets can ONLY be purchased ONLINE and capacity is limited. This event will sell out, do not delay your purchase. Active members receive a discount on each ticket.🎄

🎟https://meskerparkzoo.com/events/

11/13/2024

Sending kindness from wayyy up here!👋🦒 Remember, a kind word or smile goes a long way (even if you don't have a long neck like mine). Happy

11/13/2024

We're excited to see you at Member Night, this Friday (Nov. 15th) from 4-6pm 🐯!

Behind-the-scenes tours, attractions, food trucks ($), and unforgettable animal encounters with our Ambassador Animals.

This is an exclusive night for only active members. Your membership must be considered active on Friday at 4pm to attend. Only those included in your membership will be able to access the zoo.

11/12/2024

And the answer for this week's is....

FALSE!🐧

The Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) is a Vulnerable species of penguin native to the relatively warm rocky shorelines and open ocean of Peru and Chile. Their extant region has an average temperature of 40-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Take a close look at the first image of a Humboldt penguin in the wild.. that's a cactus! Eulychnia acida, locally known as 'copao', is a species of columnar cactus found in this region.

The Humboldt Current, a cold, nutrient-rich current flowing from Antarctica, influences their habitat. The Humboldt Current supports an abundance of fish, krill, and plankton, the penguins' primary food sources.

Did you guess correctly? Come back next Tuesday for another trivia!

11/12/2024

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is excited to announce our second Howler monkey birth to parents Ulick (male) and Callie (female). They aren't on exhibit each day, as they alternate time with the Squirrel monkeys. If the Howler monkeys are out on exhibit, look closely, the baby is holding on tight to Callie's stomach. Howler babies are born blonde/yellow to blend with the mom's fur. Stay tuned for gender confirmation and the name of our newest birth 🥰

And you'll see Taavi (last year's birth), still climbing all around playing with dad and excitedly waiting to play with his new sibling 🐒

📸Keeper Jackie G.

11/12/2024

Wait, stop scrolling! it's time for 🐧

TRUE or FALSE: Humboldt Penguins are native to Antarctica and prefer harsh, icy climates.

Leave your guess in the comments below, and we will reveal the answer later today.

11/11/2024

Happy ! Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden would like to thank all Veterans for their service. 🇺🇸

11/10/2024

Carl is always giving his !✨

11/09/2024

It's time for ! This week, the spotlight is on our Colobus Monkeys.

In Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden's Enchanted Forest, you will find our 5 colobus monkey residents (Onyx, Rosemary, Kaasidy, Leonard, and Garnet).

Colobus monkeys are listed as Least Concern, according to the IUCN Red list, but the species is actively decreasing. They are found throughout the Equatorial belt region of Africa in the rainforests around the Ngong Escarpment, Mount Kenya, and the Aberdare Mountain Range in Kenya. Their biggest threat is agricultural and residential development in their extant region.

Fun fact: A group of monkeys is called a troupe, and with Colobus Monkeys, their group often consists of one dominant male and several females with offspring. Most troupes have a complex social structure, with each troupe member playing a vital role.

😯Did you know?

Colobus monkeys are herbivorous, eating leaves, bark, seeds, flowers, and some fruit. They have multi-chambered stomachs, which ferment the leaves to extract as many calories and nutrients as possible.

🎉 Tomorrow around 2pm, we’re celebrating Onyx and Rosemary’s 1st birthday! Come celebrate with us.

11/08/2024

📢BREAKFAST WITH SANTA TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Tickets can ONLY be purchased ONLINE and capacity is limited. This event will sell out, do not delay your purchase. Active members receive a discount off of each ticket🎅🤶

🎟https://meskerparkzoo.com/events/

11/08/2024

Nothing beats a hot cappuccino in the morning..☕️
Happy from the early birds of Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden!

Q: What’s your favorite type of morning coffee?

11/07/2024

to Boo at the Zoo!🦇 We're reminiscing on all the fun, frights, and candy of Mesker's spookiest event of the year.

T-minus 30 days until Santa comes to town.👀🎄

11/06/2024

Did you know that Binturongs are known for their distinct smell of…..

Buttered Popcorn!🍿

The signature binturong scent originates from a certain chemical in their urine. Like many animals, binturongs use urine as a method of marking territory and finding mates. The chemical 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, or 2-AP, is the same chemical that forms in popcorn during the popping process!

Did you guess correctly on our last post? Stay tuned next week for another !

11/06/2024

It's binturong since we've posted our Binturongs!
Q: Binturongs are known for smelling like what popular movie snack?
Leave your guess in the comments below!

11/05/2024

When you’re an hour into the voting line and forget your ID…😳

Happy everyone! Don’t forget to vote… and definitely don’t forget your ID!🤣🇺🇸

Address

1545 Mesker Park Drive
Evansville, IN
47720

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

(812) 435-6143

Website

https://www.meskerparkzoo.com/

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Videos

Happy International Day of Zoo & Aquarium Educators! At Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, our educators are both passionate and dedicated to conservation and community. With programs like Camp Zoofari, Storytime at the Zoo and Conservation Connections, people of all ages can both learn and contribute to our conservation efforts at Mesker.Mesker Park Zoo would like to thank our team of educators for spreading their love for animals and their local zoo. We couldn’t do it without you!🐯#internationaldayofzooandaquariumeducators

We would say that was Hee-haw-larious!🫏🤣 #funnyreels

Happy Halloween!🎃 Who carved the best Jack O’Lantern? Leave your vote in the comments! #happyhalloween

Happy #WorldLemurDay ! Join us at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden today to celebrate with our three incredible lemur species: the Ring-Tailed, Red Ruffed, and Coquerel’s Sifkaka lemurs. Swing by and visit with our lemur friends today!

We’re so excited to officially announce our newest resident Bandhu, our Indian Rhino! Bandhu is still adjusting to his new home, so be patient with us as he becomes more and more visible to you on your visit. We’re listening to Bandhu and adjusting as needed 🩷

Beliza loves a good catnap.🐆💤

It’s time for #TriviaTuesday 📝 Can you guess the species of fish in this video? Leave your guess in the comments and we will reveal the answer later today.

Did you find both species in the original video?🐠 #TriviaTuesday

Happy #InternationalZooKeeperDay 🐅.Today, we’re highlighting all of our amazing Zookeepers who show endless compassion and commitment to our wild residents. In this video, you'll hear from 3 of our zookeepers, Randi, Rachel, and Taylor. When you visit the zoo today and any day, be sure to stop and thank them for their hard work. Thank you for all you do at MPZ ❤️