South America Habitats and Building Opening

The highly anticipated South America habitats and building will open to the public June 23. Building construction for the $1.1 million project was completed as planned in April, funded by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant, the Miller Park Zoological Society, and the Ewing Zoo Foundation.

We know everyone will love “Puddles” the Chilean pudu and “Chili” the giant anteater, both of whom have already stolen the hearts of staff. The giant tortoises will move to their new habitat before the “official” opening, so look for our friends “Gala” and “Pagos” in their new home.

The Zoo will be hosting a series of events to celebrate the opening:

• Thursday June 22, 2023, at 4:00 pm: VIP and Dignitary Ribbon-cutting Ceremony.
• Friday June 23, 2023, at 9 am: Media early access.
• Friday June 23, 2023, at 9:30 am: South America habitats are officially open to all visitors!
• Saturday June 24, 8:30 am: Zoo Member early access. The Zoo will open its doors at 8:30 am to Miller Park Zoological Society Members. Members will have full access to view the new habitats and animals for an hour before the regular opening hours at 9:30 am. The morning event will include refreshments and keeper talks. (The Zoo will also close at 1 pm this day in preparation for the annual “Brews at the Zoo” event).

The Miller Park Zoological Society will host its annual Brews at the Zoo, Saturday, June 24, 2023. From 3 – 8 pm, the 21 and over crowd can sample craft beers from 15 local and regional breweries, food from 10 Bloomington Normal restaurants, a wine booth, music, zookeeper talks, and of course the zoo’s amazing animals.

Six first time breweries will be part of the 15 local and regional breweries featured at the event. Mead will be offered by two breweries.

A variety of food stations with wildly delicious bites, will provide nice pairings with the beer, mead and wine selections.

“Brews at the Zoo brings new visitors to the Zoo, and we are especially excited this year to introduce new animals and new animal habitats to our guests,” said Paula Pratt, Miller Park Zoological Society. “Offering the region’s best craft beers, raising funds for the zoo and having fun makes this event one not to miss this summer!”

A Mob at Miller Park Zoo

Miller Park Zoo's mob of wallabies is the largest in the United States. A mob usually consists of a single male and several females. Our mob has eleven wallabies and two wallaroo.

Mark Your Calendar

June:

South America Opening - June 23rd 9:30am

South America Members Morning - June 24th 8:30am

Brews at the Zoo - June 24th 3-8pm

Ice Cream at the Theater - June 30th 12-3pm

July:

Active Senior Tour - July 12th 8:30-9:30am

KP Day - July 17th

Zoo Members Night July 20th 5-7pm

August:

Ice Cream Social and School Supply Drive for BHS - Aug 12th 12-3pm

Twilight Mini Golf - Aug 12th 8-10pm

September

ZooDo Magic in the Wild - Sep 23rd

Zoo Membership

Animal Zoodoption

Thank you to our recent Animal ZOOdoptions! Whether you received one as gift or adopted an animal for yourself, the symbolic act of a ZOOdoption helps provide care and support for your favorite animals at Miller Park Zoo!

Patrick Zehr - Snow Leopard

The Weber Family - San Clemente Island Goat

Reagan Thomas - Galapagos Tortoise

Matt Thomas - North American River Otter

Mollie Thomas - Red Panda

ZOOdoptions make a great gift and help support the daily care of over 140 animals at Miller Park Zoo.

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