The Akron Zoo is a 50-acre (20 ha) non-profit zoo located just west of downtown in Akron, Ohio, United States. The Akron Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals representing over 100 different species, and it has over 400,000 visitors annually. The animal exhibits are divided into six other themed areas containing various world regions. The zoo is the most visited attraction in Summit County. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. As an AZA member, Akron Zoo participates in breeding programs to save endangered species.
In 1900, the 79 acres (32 ha) that are now Perkins Woods Park was donated to Akron by George and Ann Perkins for “the sole purpose of devoting the same to the uses of a public park, especially as a place for recreation for children.” To this end, the Akron Museum of Natural History was incorporated in 1950, and the Akron Children’s Zoo was opened in 1953 in association with the Museum. The children’s zoo illustrated Mother Goose’s rhymes with live animal exhibits.
Attractions
- Legends of the Wild is the Akron Zoo’s largest exhibit. It includes a 25-foot waterfall and over 15 animal exhibits. Legends of the Wild’s exhibition displays include Humboldt penguins, lemurs, bats, snakes, alpacas, Andean condors, jaguars, capybaras, snow leopards, and flamingos.
- Komodo Kingdom is an indoor exhibit featuring a Komodo dragon, Galápagos tortoises, Chinese alligators, and other rainforest species.
- Curious Creature is an indoor exhibit in the Komodo building that features animals and plants that exhibit unique adaptations for survival.
- Wild Prairie contains a food service location, snowy owls, and the Frontier Town play area.
- Lehner Family Zoo Gardens contains the Nature’s View and Nature’s Theater.
- Grizzly Ridge opened in 2013 as the most significant expansion in Akron Zoo’s history. It covers 4.2 acres (1.7 ha), including a 45-foot (14 m) high aviary for native birds, grizzly bears, bald eagles, otters, red wolves, and coyotes. Bed Bug Exterminator Akron
- Pride of Africa opened in 2019 on the former Farmlands area and features a new lion exhibit, a renovated goat boma, and a paddock for Speke’s gazelles, white storks, and Crested guineafowl, and will also have a second phase which will have Giraffes, maybe some Zebras and Kudus, and some African Primate.
- Wild Asia is a new exhibit that opened on May 29, 2021, replacing the tiger valley exhibit. It’s now a new home for the zoo’s Sumatran tigers and red pandas, and it also has a new breeding pair of white-cheeked gibbons.
Address: 500 Edgewood Ave, Akron, OH
Check out other attractions like Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad