Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The zoo opened its doors in 1965, is located in Fort Wayne's Franke Park, and currently home to more than 1,500 animals. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has continuously ranked among the top zoos in the United States, and more recently ranked in the top 8 zoos in the country by Family Fun Magazine, in 2000. The zoo can trace its roots back to 1952, when 54-acres were added to Franke Park, to establish a nature preserve. Because of the popularity of the preserve, Fort Wayne officials decided to construct a zoo in 1962.

The Fort Wayne's Children Zoo features 4 self-contained theme areas representing different regions all over the world. Constructed and completed in 2009, the $10.5 million African Journey exhibit is the site of the former African Veldt. The exhibit is the zoos most exciting addition and features an African Lion Exhibit, African Village and an interactive cultural center. Also in the exhibit are a giraffe feeding area, climb-in Land Rovers, a Savannah Trail which highlights zebras and wildebeasts. New animal exhibits that house mongoose, buzzards, Honey badgers, dik diks, hyenas, pelicans, servals and Bat-eared foxes are also featured. The Sky Safari is a ski-lift type ride that provides guests with an aerial view of the African Exhibit.

The Australian Adventure opens with the Australia after Dark exhibit, which features nocturnal animals indigenous to Australia. Also included in the exhibit is a 20,000-gallon aquarium which is home to sharks, rays and jellyfish, as well as a model coral reef, complete with tropical fish. A separate facility houses the bats, owls and echidnas. The Kangaroo Walkabout is a roped path that leads through an open area with kangaroos. Walking along the path, guests can visit the dingo exhibit and an aviary that features native Australian birds. The Dugout Canoe Ride allows visitors to enjoy different views of the Australian Adventure from a canal.

The Central Zoo exhibit features a wide assortment of animals from the Americas and other regions. Animals found in the exhibit include sea lions, wallabies, African penguins, alligators, tortoises and macaws. Peacocks roam freely through the farm, and also found in the Central Zoo is a duck pond and bird aviary.

Recently added to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, the Indiana Family farm is an expansion of the old petting zoo area which only contained chickens, goats and deer. Now the area boasts a remodeled barn and farmhouse which is home to horses, sheep, rabbits, calves and other farm animals. Goats reside in an open paddock area which visitors can enter and feed the goat's ice cream cones and milk.

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo closes during the winter season and opens yearly on April 18th, the hours are from 9 am until 5 pm. The zoo is fully handicapped accessible, parking is free and there are special admission rates for groups, military personnel and senior citizens.