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The Peoria Zoo (formerly Glen Oak Zoo) is a zoo located in Peoria, Illinois, in the United States. The zoo is owned and operated by the Peoria Park District and is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Years Day.[6]
Glen Oak Zoo was founded in the late 1800s.[7] A herd of elk was donated to the Peoria Park District.[7] Glen Oak Zoo's dedication took place in 1897.[8]
In 1997, the Peoria Zoological Society was formed.[7][11]
In 2009, the zoo opened the new Africa exhibit, nearly doubling its size.[2][7][12] At the same time it changed its name to "Peoria Zoo."
Exhibits
Africa
The Africa exhibit opened in 2009 after more than a decade of planning and two and a half years of construction. In this exhibit, the visitors walk around the main area on a boardwalk, and can see across the entire expanse of the enclosure. The main area is divided into two sections, the northern section containing giraffes and gazelles, and the southern section being home to zebras and rhinos. Lions have their own enclosure, as do the mandrills. red river hogs and colobus monkeys share a home, and the African crested porcupines and Aldabra giant tortoise also live together.[4][13]
The zoo's adult female Amur (Siberian) tiger, Kyra, mother of four cubs (two males—whose conservation plan called for them to eventually be relocated to other zoos—and two females), died suddenly on the evening of Sunday, August 18, 2013, of what preliminary was believed to be a serious acute infection that turned septic.[14][15] Kyra's mate Vaska, the male tiger, died in December 2016 at age 16.[16] Their two female cubs, Nikita and Sasha, still live at Peoria Zoo.[16] Their two male cubs, Maxim and Luka, moved to the Indianapolis Zoo.[16]
On November 3, 2023, the zoo announced its 18-year old male lion Arthur had been humanely euthanized due to lymphoma.[17] Arthur was born on September 9, 2005, and moved to Peoria Zoo on November 16, 2008, where he lived with his mate Lizzy.[17][18] Arthur and Lizzy were the original lions at the Africa exhibit.[18] The pair had four cubs in December 2015, who were moved to other zoos as part of the Species Survival Plan.[17] Female offpsring Nia, Zuri, and Kali moved to Audubon Zoo in New Orleans in March 2019.[19]
On May 1, 2024, the zoo’s male giraffe, Taji, was humanely euthanized after a broken foot.[20] The male giraffe was one of the original animals at the Africa exhibit in July 2007. He weighed over 2,300 pounds and lived to be almost 17 years old, surpassing the median life expectancy in captivity of 13.4 years.[20] Taji and his mate Vivian had two offspring, Finley in 2016 who lives at Lincoln Park Zoo, and Zara in 2018 who was transferred to Detroit Zoo.[20][21]
Due to feedback from the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA), the zoo is planning an estimated $5 million renovation of this facility.[10] More animals would have outdoor enclosures, such as Butch, the zoo's 50 year-old spider monkey.[10] The Tropics building used to house lions, tigers and jaguars, but they have moved to outdoor enclosures.[10]
The Glen Oak Pavilion building was designed by local architects William Reeves and John Baille.[25] Construction was completed in 1896 for a total cost of about $25,000.[25] The Victorian-style structure formerly served as a public shelter, an ice cream parlor and a dance hall. The Pavilion served as the Park District’s first multipurpose building.[25] Since 2015 it has been the home of the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum.[26]
Zambezi River Lodge
The Zambezi River Lodge overlooks the Africa exhibit. The facility provides concessions, and is also available for receptions and conferences.[27]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peoria Zoo.
Notes
^ ab"Our History". peoriazoo.org. Peoria Zoo. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
