Created by the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Zoo opened in 1978 with a mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Cutting-edge exhibits provide exciting experiences with animals and their habitats introducing guests to species from around the globe. Education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout the region, and around world. Conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems. Learn more about the Minnesota Zoo—our mission, leadership, and history.
A world-class recreation destination home to more than 5,300 animals—many endangered—in award-winning exhibits
485-acre campus featuring miles of outdoor trails and the largest indoor interconnected zoo exhibits in the country
1.29 million guests annually, with approximately 420,000 from greater Minnesota
$25 million operating budget, with almost 70 percent from earned and contributed income
More than 175,700 individual Zoo members
Over 1,100 volunteers contributing more than 112,000 hours annually, a $2.8 million gift to the Zoo
The State’s largest environmental educator with 444,000 participants last year, including almost 90,000 school program participants
More than 11,000 school students visited the Zoo for free thanks to the Zoo Safari program
More than 5,300 children attended Zoo Camp
Zoomobile traveled to 46 Minnesota counties, presenting live animal programs to more than 57,000 people
Approximately 111,000 Zoo guests shared “close encounters” with Zoo animals through programming supported by funding from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
