Zoological Park | General Information
General Information- AZA Accreditation
- Exhibits
- History of the Zoo
- Mission Statement
- New Construction
- Rules While Visiting | Topeka Zoo Concessions
In 1899, the Gage Family donated 80 acres of land to the City of Topeka to be used as a public park for the health, comfort and recreation of the citizens of Topeka and their friends. The area of land was named in honor of the Gage family and is known as Gage Park. Today Gage Park offers many activities in the park including the Topeka Zoo. Over the years, the Topeka Zoo has updated and improved the overall appearance of exhibits as well as developing future animal exhibits while emphasizing conservation of threatened species and educating visitors on wildlife survival and habitat conservation.
The first Zoo facilities were constructed in 1933 for Zoo animals. The Zoo has always been located in the Northeast corner of Gage Park. As the Zoo changed, adding animal exhibits during the 1950s and 1960s, slowly the philosophy changed. In 1963, the first permanent Zoo Director was hired by the City of Topeka.
In 1969 a non-profit membership organization named Friends of the Topeka Zoo (FOTZ) was formed. Today FOTZ continues their dedication to the improvement and development of capital projects at the Topeka Zoo as well as support educational opportunities.
Over the years, the Zoo has constructed several exhibits that are still in existence today. In 1966, the Large Mammal building was constructed as the first major facility under Zoo Director Gary K. Clarke. This facility provided a home for elephants, giraffe, hippos, and great apes. In 1974, the Tropical Rainforest facility was opened as one of the first walk-through facilities of its kind. In 1981 Discovering Apes opened as a new home for the gorillas and orangutans. In 1985, Gorilla Encounter opened with a walk-through tunnel within the gorilla exhibit. While in 1989, Lions Pride opened providing a unique viewing experience for visitors of African Lions. In 1992, Security Benefit Children’s Zoo opened, providing an opportunity for children of all ages to interact with animals. In 1996, Black Bear Woods opened. It had been fifteen (15) years since bears were at the Zoo. This 20,000 square foot exhibit provided opportunities for the bears to climb live trees, cool off in a small pool, and live among bushes and grasses. A renovation of the outdoor Elephant Exhibit in 1996 changed the exhibit of elephants from “free contact” to “protected contact.” In 2000, the Water bird Lagoon ponds were renovated to include an elevated deck for bird/fish feeding, a waterfall, new plantings, and “no barrier” access to parts of the ponds. In 2003, the Outdoor Orangutan habitat was opened, providing an outdoor enclosure for Bornean orangutans. The new outdoor orangutan habitat provides over 8,000 sq feet of space for our orangutan family. The orangutans love to twine rope, build nest, swing or climb form branch to branch.
More recently in 2004, the Zoo along with FOTZ opened the Gary K. Clarke Education Center that includes new administrative offices and the Leopard Spot gift shop. Other construction included an outdoor hippopotamus exhibit, enhancement to the elephant exhibit with a large pool, new exhibits for bald and golden eagles, and an exhibit for Arctic foxes. In 2005, the Jungle Cats exhibits opened for Sumatran tigers and Black leopards providing a return of tigers and leopards to the Topeka Zoo. This large outdoor enclosure provides an excellent opportunity for the visitors to experience an up close encounter with both animals. In 2006, the Zoo opened a new Grant’s zebra exhibit.
Annually the Topeka Zoological Park is host to over 150,000 - 180,000 visitors on an annual basis and is one of the states leading attractions. The Topeka Zoological Park provides a memorable experience for the visitors, quality animal care, and the conservation for over 380 exotic animals.
In 2007 we opened Animals & Man Phase II. More room for elephants and giraffes.
AZA Accreditation
The Topeka Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), assuring excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors and a better future for all living things.
Exhibits at the Topeka Zoo
The Animals & Man is home to the Zoo's African elephant, Asian Elephant, River Hippopotamus, Giraffes, Lemurs, Cranes and other smaller species. In 2004 a new outdoor exhibit and pool was constructed for the zoo's hippos Peka Sue and Submarie. This pool provides over 2,000 additional living space and a 28,000 gallon outdoor pool.
The Jungle Cats new exhibit opened in the summer of 2005 that features two Sumatran Tigers Kavi and Raguno. The two male Sumatran tigers are the smallest of the five species of tigers and have the darkest coat, with broad stripes closely spaced together. The exhibit also houses our African black leopards Buta, Tosha, and Emma. This new exhibit features a waterfall, live plants and trees in the exhibit for the leopards to utilize. Tropical Rain Forest is a 100 foot diameter dome that encloses a wide variety of free-ranging mammals, birds and reptiles, in a lush tropical environment. Visitors can view examples of Trumpeter Swans, Snow Geese, Pacific White-fronted geese, Canadian geese, and Barhead geese in the Birds of Prey exhibit.
There are many more exhibits featured at the Topeka Zoological Park. We invite all visitors to take a walk and enjoy all of the exhibits.
The Topeka Zoo has many amazing animal exhibits on display year round.
Visit some of the pages below to find out more information about the animals and their habitat.
- African Savannah
- Animals and Man
- Birds of Prey
- Black Bear Woods
- Children's Zoo
- Discovering Apes
- Jungle Cats
- Lion's Pride
- Tropical Rain Forest
- Waterbird Lagoons
- Zoo Horticulture
The Topeka Zoo exists to strengthen the bond between people and the living earth, by providing visitors with opportunities to:
- Learn more about the natural world;
- Increase scientific knowledge that benefits conservation
- Support conservation of endangered animal populations and their habitat;
- Participate actively in improving the quality of life in Kansas.
When you visit us here at The Topeka Zoo you might notice a wild appearance. We are beginning several construction projects that will be bringing new life to your Zoo. These construction projects will not affect animal viewing or interaction with guests. Thank you for your support and patience during the changing process.
Rules
For the safety of the animals and the enjoyment of all visitors, the Zoo Rules are:
- All of the animals at the Topeka Zoo are on special diets. Visitors should not give any food to the animals, except the Waterbirds on the Waterbird Ponds and in the Security Benefit Children’s zoo. The animals may be given food from the feed dispensers located in the specified areas.
- Visitors should not attempt to touch or pet any animals, except in the contact area of the Security Benefit Children's zoo.
- The fences and other barriers are for the safety of the visitors and should never be crossed.
- Foreign objects should never be given or thrown to the animals - they can cause medical problems.
- No outside animals will be allowed into the Topeka Zoo, except for assistance animals. Visitors with these animals should let the staff know so we may be aware of their presence.
- Roller blades, skateboards, bikes and are not allowed in the zoo.
- An adult must accompany children under 13 at all times.
- No outside food or drink may be brought into the Zoo.
- The Zoo is smoke free - No Smoking.
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