Fort Wayne Zoo

2 weeks ago(edited)

Welcome!

After a lengthy hiatus, I'm trying to get back into documenting my various escapades, especially at zoos. This post is about my recent 2026 expedition to Fort Wayne Zoo in northern Indiana. I decided to make a detour to Fort Wayne on my way to Indianapolis - it was worth it to see the red pandas and Tasmanian devils!

Since I got a new phone at the end of 2025 (right before my San Diego and Texas trips), all of my 2026 adventures have much better photo quality and more plentiful photos (due to ample memory).

Here are my Indiana posts:

G1: Fort Wayne Zoo (this post)

G2: Potawatomi Zoo

I do also have a backlog of overdue Indiana posts covering:

Raclin Murphy Museum of Art in South Bend at Notre Dame University
Indianapolis Zoo
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, and Holcomb Observatory
Garfield Park Conservatory
Eiteljorg Museum
Kurt Vonnegut Museum
Crispus Attucks Museum

All of the pictures in this post were taken by me except for the map of the zoo. If you want to use any of my photos, please contact me to first obtain permission.

FORT WAYNE ZOO

3411 Sherman Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Website: https://fwzoo.com/

Hours:

Open Daily: 9 AM - 5 PM

Cost (as of 2026):

General Admission (13+): $20 - $25
Child (12 & Under): $18 - $22

Pricing seems to be based on the day of the week. For General Admission, Monday & Tuesday are usually cheapest ($20), Wednesday & Thursday are moderate ($22), and Friday, Saturday, & Sunday are the most expensive ($25). When buying tickets, the calendar is subtly color-coded based on pricing.

Parking is free.

Fort Wayne Zoo participates in the AZA Reciprocity program at the 50% rate. Members of all other participating zoos (whether those zoos participate at 50% or 100%) get 50% off the admission rate at Fort Wayne Zoo. And Fort Wayne Zoo members get 50% off the admission of all participating zoos (regardless of whether that zoo participates at 50% or 100%).

Since I was a member of Buttonwood Park Zoo, I got 50% off admission so I only had to pay $12.50 instead of the full $25.

Estimated Time: 3 - 4 hours.

I spent 3.5 hours. Many of the animals were off-exhibit because of the cold but I spent extra time with the red pandas (who like the cold) and the Tasmanian devils. You may also want to budget additional time if you plan to attend many of the daily Keeper Chats.

SUMMARY

Fort Wayne Zoo - 2025 Map.jpg

The Fort Wayne Zoo is a good, medium-sized 3-star zoo that I would recommend. The red pandas and Tasmanian devils are the highlights and are worthy of 4 stars.

It was rather cold on the day of my visit so a surprising number of animals were off-exhibit. Unfortunately, the zoo doesn't provide much visibility into the animals' indoor habitats. On the bright side, the red pandas loved the chilly weather and so they were more active than normal allowing me to spend extra time watching them.

Normally the zoo has a variety of daily Keeper Chats every half hour. Some chats are daily while other chats only occur on specific days of the week. I went to the Animal Ambassador event in the Discovery Garden (it was too cold for Charlotte the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula so they just brought out one of her molts), the Sumatran Orangutan chat, and the Tasmanian Devil chat. Due to weather they canceled the Banded Mongoose, Sumatran Tiger, Seal and Sea Lion, and Giraffe chats. Also, no one ever showed up for the Indiana Family Farm chat. Unfortunately, guest services gave me incorrect information about the day's chats and I had to ask multiple employees until I finally got the correct rundown of which chats were canceled for the day.

There were an ample number of employees throughout the zoo, who were very friendly and helpful. I spent a fair amount of time chatting with one of the red panda specialists and learning about the habits and relationships of the local red pandas. The orangutan and Tasmanian devil chats were very informative. And when I couldn't find certain animals, there were nearby employees who helped point out where the Northern Tree Shrew, Serval, Vietnamese Mossy Frog, and Orange-Eyed Tree Frog were hiding.

The species informational displays were well-crafted with beautiful artwork. Some of the exhibits had personalized name cards of the animals with their names, birthdates, and tips on how to distinguish them from their compatriots.

Like many other zoos, Fort Wayne Zoo has a Chinese lantern partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture. This is a separate event in the evening (with a higher ticket price) after the day-time visitors have left. However, you can see most of the lanterns during the day. While I have seen a lot of these types of lanterns before, Fort Wayne Zoo did have an impressive assortment including a massive blue dragon on the water, a white nine-tailed fox, Chinese zodiac animals, an impressive smilodon (sabre-toothed tiger), and a surprising number of dinosaurs.

The African Journey is a large loop. You can pay for the Sky Safari experience but there aren't animals below (for safety reasons in case someone falls) so you only get to see animals from the side - probably not worth it. Asian Trek is a medium loop but once you exit the Indonesian Rain Forest building you can't go back in. You can pay extra money for the Bamboo Forest Sky Trails or to ride the Endangered Species Carousal. The Red Panda Ridge is technically part of Asian Trek but is right at the beginning which makes it very accessible - it is definitely one of the best parts of the zoo! The Central Zoo is a miscellaneous hodgepodge of animals including free-roaming peafowl, aquatic critters (otters, seals, sea lions, African penguins), and the Indiana Family Farm with domestic animals. Last of all is the Australian Adventure. The Reef Aquarium could use some renovation, feeding rays at Stingray Bay is another add-on experience that costs money, but the Tasmanian devils and the walkabout with the kangaroos are worthwhile. Just keep in mind that Australian Adventure does not circle about back to the Central Zoo - you have to backtrack all the way back.

I had a good time at the Fort Wayne Zoo and spent more time than expected. Initially, I was planning to spend about 2 hours but ended up walking around for 3.5 hours until close. Other than missing out on the animals sheltering from the cold and some of the Keeper Chats, I did feel like I thoroughly explored the zoo.

Comparing the Fort Wayne Zoo to other zoos:

5 stars:

San Diego Zoo (San Diego, CA)
Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL)
Taipei Zoo (Taipei City, Taiwan)

4 stars:

San Diego Safari Park (San Diego, CA)
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (Cincinnati, OH)
Oklahoma City Zoo (Oklahoma City, OK)
Milwaukee County Zoo (Milwaukee, WI)
Houston Zoo (Houston, TX)
Oakland Zoo (Oakland, CA)

3 stars:

Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL, Free)
Zoo Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)
Buttonwood Park Zoo (New Bedford, MA)
Butterflies of Cape Cod (Bourne, MA)
International Crane Foundation (Baraboo, WI)
Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison, WI, Free)
Indianapolis Zoo (Indianapolis, IN)
Sacramento Zoo (Sacramento, CA)
Santa Barbara Zoo (Santa Barbara, CA)
Fort Worth Zoo (Fort Worth, TX)
Fort Wayne Zoo (Fort Wayne, IN)
Zoo Knoxville (Knoxville, TN)

2 stars:

Audubon Insectarium (New Orleans, LA)
Audubon Zoo (New Orleans, LA)
Sarasota Jungle Gardens (Sarasota, FL)
Save Our Seabirds Wild Bird Learning Center (Sarasota, FL, Free)
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens (San Francisco, CA)
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, CA)
Franklin Park Zoo (Boston, MA)
Capron Park Zoo (Attleboro, MA)
Taylor-Bray Farm (Yarmouth Port, MA, Free)
Racine Zoo (Racine, WI)
Ochsner Park Zoo (Baraboo, WI, Free)
John Ball Zoo (Grand Rapids, MI)
Potter Park Zoo (Lansing, MI)
Antalya Zoo (Antalya, Turkey)
Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, CA, Free)
Santa Ana Zoo (Santa Ana, CA)
San Antonio Zoological Society (San Antonio, TX)
Cameron Park Zoo (Waco, TX)
Dallas Zoo (Dallas, TX)
Caldwell Zoo (Tyler, TX)
Peoria Zoo (Peoria, IL)
Miller Park Zoo (Bloomington, IL)
Scovill Zoo (Decatur, IL)
Potawatomi Zoo (South Bend, IN)

1 star:

Cosley Zoo (Wheaton, IL)
Stone Zoo (Stoneham, MA)
Timbavati Wildlife Park (Wisconsin Dells, WI)
Binder Park Zoo (Battle Creek, MI)
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (San Jose, CA)
CuriOdyssey (San Mateo, CA)

RED PANDA RIDGE

Red Panda Ridge is a delightful area near the entrance to the zoo which houses 2 Chinese red pandas, 1 Himalayan red panda with a Reeves's muntjac, and a binturong.

Both of the red panda enclosures are fantastic, offering superb views of the red pandas. There is bamboo growing in the surrounding area, which allows the red pandas to easily grab a snack.

The larger enclosure is built for two red pandas and currently house Chinese red pandas Lucas and Paula.

The smaller enclosure is designed for one red panda and is the home of Nima, a 3 year old Himalayan Red Panda (unfortunately, Anne the older Himalayan Red Panda passed away about a year ago). Nima currently shares the space with Zoji the muntjac. Zoji seems to like Nima and he will lick her feet occasionally. Nima, however, merely tolerates Zoji and will swat him if he bothers her or gets in the way.

Occasionally the red pandas will swap habitats but when that happens Zoji is locked away (i.e. he has never interacted with Lucas and Paula before).

Chinese red pandas have a redder face and more defined rings around their tail. Himalayan red pandas have a whiter face and also tend to be smaller. The zoo keepers have noticed that Nima, the Himalayan red panda, more readily utilizes the grasping ability of her opposable digit and can often be seen sticking her paw outside her enclosure to grasp bamboo located outside.

Nima seems well habituated to humans. The zoo keeper mentioned that Nima serves as an animal ambassador for certain animal experiences. Red pandas do have sharp claws though - the keeper said that one time when she was handing bamboo to Nima, Nima's claws accidentally sliced open the keeper's glove!

Himalayan Red Panda
Ailurus fulgens fulgens

20260501_124534(0).jpg

Chinese Red Panda
Ailurus fulgens styani

Scratching an itch:

Reeves's Muntjac
Muntiacus reevesi

Binturong
Arctictis binturong whitei

AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE

Tasmanian Devil
Sarcophilus harrisii

Fort Wayne Zoo is one of only around 6 zoos outside Australia with Tasmanian devils. While the species is normally solitary, Arya and Valentina are a pair of females that actually like each other and seek out the other's company. They can be distinguished because "Arya has a white stripe across the front of her shoulders and is all black otherwise and Valentina has a big white spot on her chest and white spots on the sides of her shoulders and a white spot on her butt."

The two run circles around their habitat though lately they've been frustrated trying to catch a vole digging around the habitat.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Macropus giganteus

This juvenile male (who has been snipped) couldn't leave the female alone. This was annoying the alpha male who was cordoned off nearby. The alpha male can be protective of the females, which is why he is separated during the day when human visitors are walking through the kangaroo habitat.

Kookaburra
Dacelo novaeguineae

Woma Python
Aspidites ramsayi

Blue-Tongued Skink
Tiliqua scincoides

Vietnamese Mossy Frog
Theloderma corticale

Orange-Eyed Tree Frog
Ranoidea chloris

KITTIES

African Lion
Panthera leo
(Located in African Journey)

20260501_152406(0).jpg

Kiume and Ina showing affection to each other:

Sumatran Tiger
Panthera tigris sumatrae
(Located in Asian Trek)

Canada Lynx
Lynx canadensis
(Located in Central Zoo)

This bashful lynx is relieving itself and/or marking its territory.

Serval
Leptailurus serval
(Located in African Journey)

Amur Leopard
Panthera pardus orientalis
(Located in African Journey)

20260501_153148(0).jpg

Clouded Leopard
Neofelis nebulosa
(Located in Asian Trek)

ASIAN TREK

Northern Tree Shrew
Tupaia belangeri

Sumatran Orangutan
Pongo pygmaeus abelii

There is a baby orangutan (Asmara) but she and her mother (Tara) are only viewable earlier in the day.

The orangutans I saw were the father (Tengku) and an older female (Melati).

Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle
Geomyda spengleri

Sulawesi Forest Turtle
Leucocephalon yuwonoi

Red-Tailed Green Rat Snake
Gonyosoma oxycephalum

Crested Wood Partridge
Rollulus rouloul

Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulata

Green-Naped Pheasant Pigeon
Otidiphaps nobilis

Indonesian Rain Forest

Cocoa Tree
Theobroma cacao

(Probably a bromeliad):

Bamboo Forest Sky Trail

Endangered Species Carousel

Kids Tree House

AFRICAN JOURNEY

Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta

Bat-Eared Fox
Otocyon megalotis

20260501_152128(0).jpg

White Stork
Ciconia ciconia

Wattled Crane
Bugeranus carunculatus

Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii

Bontebok
Damaliscus pygargus

Plains Zebra
Equus quagga

White-Bearded Wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus

Sky Safari

Rock Wall

CENTRAL ZOO

Indian Peafowl
Pavo cristatus

The peacocks and peahens are free-roaming. There was at least one albino.

Capuchin Monkey
Cebus capunicus

North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis

African Penguin
Spheniscus demersus

Red-Tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis

Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura

Charlotte, the Mexican Red Knee Tarantula
Brachypelma hamorii

For the Animal Ambassador session in the Discovery Garden, the keepers brought an old molt from several years ago. It was too cold for Charlotte to come herself.

REEF AQUARIUM & STINGRAY BAY

Moon Jelly
Aurelia aurita

Lionfish
Pterois

Blacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus

Zebra Shark
Stegostoma fasicatum

Cownose Ray
Rhinoptera bonasus

Southern Stingray
Dasyatis americana

INDIANA FAMILY FARM

Flemish Giant Rabbits
Oryctolagus cuniculus

Domestic Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus

Miniature Donkey
Equus asinus domestic

Shetland Sheep
Ovis aries

Chicken
Gallus gallus domesticus

Nigerian Dwarf Goat
Capra aegagrus hircus

NOT VIEWABLE DUE TO COLD TEMPERATURE

American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis

Banded Mongoose
Mungos mungo

Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina

California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus

(Not a) Cape Porcupine
Hystrix africaeaustralis

The Cape Porcupine was not viewable but one of the zoo keepers noticed several small mice in the enclosure!

Prevost's Squirrel
Callosciurus prevostii

Benedict the Two-Toed Sloth
Choloepus didactylus or Choloepus hoffmanni

White-Faced Saki Monkey
Pithecia pithecia

Blue-Faced Honeyeater
Entomyzon cyanotis

Galah
Eolophus roseicapilla

Rainbow Lorikeet
Trichoglossus moluccanus

Aldabra Tortoise
Geochelone gigantea

Colobus Monkey
Colobus guereza

De Brazza's Monkey
Cercopithecus neglectus

Dingo
Canis lupus dingo

Javan Gibbon
Hylobates moloch

Reticulated Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata

Ring-Tailed Lemur
Lemur catta

Swamp Monkey
Allenopithecus nigroviridis

GLO WILD LANTERNS

Chinese zodiac:

Smilodon (Sabre-Toothed Kitty!)

Dinosaurs and friends:

Photo ops:

Panda Pop Challenge
Interactive Reaction Game

Interactive Flowers

Kaleidoscope
Immersive Mirror Photo Experience

Bunny Bicycles Generating Power

Shape in Motion
Interactive Impression Wall

Talking Cactus Dance
Voice-Activated Interactive Fun

OTHER

Train Station

Gem Mining

I have seen similar lion water fountains at other zoos.

Frog speaker

Tortoise sculpture

GIFT SHOP

Assorted Red Panda Plushes from Aurora and Wild Republic

Petting Zoo Red Panda Lolly Plush
$15.99

Red Panda Magnet
$9.99

Red Panda Keychain
$10.99

Unfortunately, the gift shop was sold out of red panda magnets with a photo of their red pandas. They only had these red panda magnets with a spring but I didn't buy one because I already have one just like this except from the Cincinnati Zoo.