Detroit Zoo

Detroit Zoo where life connects

The Detroit Zoo is operated by the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) – an AZA-accredited institution and renowned leader in humane education, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and environmental sustainability. One of Michigan’s largest paid family attractions, the Detroit Zoo hosts more than 1.2 million visitors annually – and its 125 acres of award-winning naturalistic habitats are home to more than 2,000 animals representing more than 200 species.

12/06/2025

Free wheeling Kit has turned 16! 💕🦦

Watch as she shares her "in-CAR-edible" ice treats with her best buddies Finn and Monte. This enrichment allows the sea otters to crack and chew ice to retrieve their seafood snacks, just like they would crack shells in the wild.

Come to the Detroit Zoo today to visit the sea otter trio and wish Kit a happy sweet 16.

Another successful Giving Zoo Day is in the books — and we exceeded our goal! Thank you to everyone who donated, and a s...
12/05/2025

Another successful Giving Zoo Day is in the books — and we exceeded our goal! Thank you to everyone who donated, and a special thanks to Thrivent for generously matching all gifts with $1 for every $2 donated.

Funds raised will support animal enrichment: the thoughtfully designed experiences that encourage natural behaviors and inspire animals to explore, play, rest and connect. From scent trails and puzzle feeders to floating toys and bubble machines, enrichment is essential to animal well-being.

We’re grateful for your support. If you’d still like to make a gift, follow the link here: https://ow.ly/34rx50XBu9B

Today is World Wildlife Conservation Day! 🗺️More than 48,000 species worldwide are threatened with extinction, and our s...
12/04/2025

Today is World Wildlife Conservation Day! 🗺️

More than 48,000 species worldwide are threatened with extinction, and our staff plays a vital role in addressing this crisis. We work on all seven continents, partnering with various organizations and communities to tackle conservation challenges. The Detroit Zoo also serves as a hub for wildlife information and inspiration, extending our conservation efforts. Together, we can build a future where animals and nature are understood, valued and protected by all.

Want to join in and do your part for wildlife? Visit the Detroit Zoo this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ron Kagan Wildlife Interpretive Gallery to learn more about three of local conservation programs.
🐍 Massasaugas rattlesnake surveys
🐸 Frog Watch (a participatory science program that we offer here at the Zoo)
🐦‍⬛ Celebrating Urban Birds

He's here, he's really here! 🎅Oh, what fun! Santa is back at Wild Lights along with larger-than-life versions of your fa...
12/03/2025

He's here, he's really here! 🎅

Oh, what fun! Santa is back at Wild Lights along with larger-than-life versions of your favorite toys! Visit and take a photo with jolly old St. Nick in Toyland every Wild Lights night until Dec. 23. While you are there, make sure to explore the play glow interactives and classic toy sculptures around Santa's cabin.

💡New this year! Try your hand at the Giant Light Bright located next to the events pavilion. This radiant retro art wall will make kids and kids at heart light up with excitement!

Joy is just a click away. TICKETS: https://detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights/

Wild Lights is presented by Michigan First Credit Union.

12/02/2025

It’s Giving Zoo Day — and your gift today will directly help animals at the Zoo.

This year, your support powers animal enrichment: the thoughtfully designed experiences that encourage natural behaviors, spark curiosity and help animals explore, play, rest and connect. From scent trails and puzzle feeders to floating toys and bubble machines, enrichment is essential to animal well-being.

Enrichment touches every animal here — including Monte, Finn and Kit, three southern sea otters who were rescued and found lifelong care at the Detroit Zoo.

Because of supporters like you, the trio spend their days diving, sunbathing and rafting — all while engaging with enrichment that keeps them healthy and thriving.

Your Giving Zoo Day donation will help create more than 22,000 enrichment opportunities each year, from Busy Barnacles for swamp monkeys to enrichment balls for gorillas, sturdy barrels for polar bears and artificial kelp for the sea otters.

Every gift — whether $20, $100 or any amount — brings meaningful experiences to the animals who call the Detroit Zoo home.

💙 Give today and help enrich the lives of animals at the Zoo: https://ow.ly/MfT950XAa7t

We have three incredible reasons to celebrate this holiday season! 🦁✨We’re thrilled to share that Amirah, a 9-year-old A...
12/01/2025

We have three incredible reasons to celebrate this holiday season! 🦁✨

We’re thrilled to share that Amirah, a 9-year-old African lioness, has welcomed three healthy cubs born Nov. 23 and 24. As a first-time mom, she has been wonderfully calm, attentive and nurturing, spending her days bonding closely with her little ones in a cozy, quiet den.

African lions are vulnerable to extinction and endangered in some regions due to habitat loss, declining prey, disease and human-wildlife conflict. Welcoming these cubs is not only heartwarming — it’s a meaningful milestone in the Detroit Zoo’s commitment to conservation and the future of this iconic species.

For now, Amirah and her cubs will remain in their den, out of public view, while they continue to grow and thrive. The rest of the pride — dad Kalu and aunt Asha — may or may not choose to spend time in their outdoor habitat during this period. We anticipate the cubs will be visible to guests in a few months, once they’re more mobile and ready to explore larger spaces.

A fourth cub, born significantly later than the others, did not survive. While this is a natural part of life for many wild species, we remain grateful that Amirah and her three cubs are doing well.

We can’t wait to share more updates, photos and milestones as this joyful new chapter unfolds!

11/29/2025

Let's hear it for the boys! 🎂🐻‍❄️🦒

This week, two towering Detroit Zoo dads celebrated momentous birthdays. Nuka turned 21, and Jabari turned 18! Watch as they enjoy custom enrichment treats made for them by their zookeepers.

A brand-new episode of Detroit Zoo Inside & Out drops TONIGHT! 🎬From prepping diets for 2,000+ animals to the secrets of...
11/29/2025

A brand-new episode of Detroit Zoo Inside & Out drops TONIGHT! 🎬

From prepping diets for 2,000+ animals to the secrets of the bug breeding room — and even the scoop on what happens to TONS of p**p every day — this episode has it all.

Tune in on Local 4+ via the ClickOnDetroit app or WDIV’s YouTube page. Don’t miss it!

Detroit Zoo Inside & Out is produced in partnership with WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroit.

Winter weather is bringing all the cozy vibes ❄️✨Bundle up and make Wild Lights part of your weekend plans—magical strol...
11/28/2025

Winter weather is bringing all the cozy vibes ❄️✨

Bundle up and make Wild Lights part of your weekend plans—magical strolls, glowing displays and memory-making moments await!

Purchase your tickets today: https://ow.ly/uNrI50Xz5Qo

Wild Lights is presented by Michigan First Credit Union.

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from the Detroit Zoo! 🦃Even though we’re closed today, we hope you’re enjoying a safe, warm and won...
11/27/2025

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from the Detroit Zoo! 🦃

Even though we’re closed today, we hope you’re enjoying a safe, warm and wonderful holiday with the people you love. To add a little extra fun to your celebration, here are a few animal facts you can share around the dinner table:

• Wolves feast after a hunt. An adult wolf can consume up to 20 pounds of meat in a single meal and can go several days without eating.
• Giraffes don’t just use their legs to run. They also use them to kick with incredible strength — powerful enough to deter predators.
• Penguins give gifts. Many species court by presenting pebbles to potential mates.

From all of us at the Detroit Zoo, we’re grateful for your support — today and every day. We’ll see you when we reopen tomorrow!

📷 Roy Lewis.

We are deeply saddened to share that Tula, a 6-year-old Bactrian camel, passed away on Monday, Nov. 24.Born at the Detro...
11/26/2025

We are deeply saddened to share that Tula, a 6-year-old Bactrian camel, passed away on Monday, Nov. 24.

Born at the Detroit Zoo in 2019 and named after a river in Mongolia, Tula quickly became a beloved member of the Zoo family. Known for her bold personality and sharp intelligence, Tula was a favorite among her care team, who loved working with her — especially during care-based training sessions.

For more than a year, our veterinary, behavioral husbandry and animal care teams worked tirelessly to support Tula through a degenerative ligament condition that affected her comfort and mobility. With pain management, protective wraps, laser therapy and daily dedicated care, our teams ensured she had the highest quality of life possible.

Tula initially responded well to treatment, but in recent weeks her stability and comfort declined. After careful evaluation and consideration of all options, the team made the difficult decision to compassionately euthanize her.

Tula was deeply loved by those who cared for her and by many guests who visited her over the years. She will be profoundly missed. Please keep the animal care staff in your thoughts as they continue supporting the rest of the camel herd with the same dedication and compassion.

Address

8450 W 10 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI
48067

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+12485415717

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