Racine Zoo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Racine Zoo

The primate building
Date opened	1923
Location	Racine, Wisconsin, United States
Land area	32 acres (13 ha)
Coordinates	42°44′56″N 87°47′01″W / 42.7488°N 87.7837°W / 42.7488; -87.7837
Memberships	AZA

The Racine Zoological Gardens, also known as the Racine Zoo, is a cool zoo located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin. It covers about 28 acres. The Racine Zoological Society, a non-profit group, runs the zoo. It is home to over 100 different kinds of animals. The zoo especially likes to show off animals that live naturally in Wisconsin. There is even a special building just for reptiles and amphibians from the state.

A Look Back: The Racine Zoo's History

The Racine Zoo started on March 1, 1923. A local businessman named Jacob Stoffel, Jr. helped make it happen. He gave three monkeys to the city of Racine. This led the city to build a small zoo in Island Park. By the end of that first year, the zoo had deer, badgers, gray foxes, and Rocky Mountain goats.

The zoo quickly became too big for Island Park. So, in 1925, it moved to its current spot. This new location used to be part of Lakeview Park. It was once a brickyard.

Growing Bigger and Better

The Racine Zoo grew fast in its new home. Between 1925 and 1929, more exhibits were added. These included sea lions, hoofed animals, and bears. An old clay quarry was filled with water to create a duck pond. During the Great Depression, many zoos struggled. But the Racine Zoo offered free admission. This helped it to do well when others had to close.

The castle-like Vanishing Kingdom building was finished in 1939. It houses big cats and primates. The bricks used to build it came from the old county jail.

A walk-in enclosure at the Zoo.

Special Events and New Animals

In November 1959, a two-year-old Siberian tiger named Kahn came to Racine. He moved from the Como Park Zoo. The Racine Zoo bought Kahn the next year.

In November 1985, the zoo became the home of the Kiwanis-Wheary Lights. This is a yearly holiday light display. George H. and Jessie May Wheary first created the lights. They showed them at their home from 1962 to 1982.

In 1987, the Australian part of S.C. Johnson & Son gave a special gift. They donated six kangaroos and six wallaroos to the zoo. The Australian ambassador even came for the ceremony!

Modernizing the Zoo

In the early 1990s, the Racine Zoo started making big changes. The city of Racine helped pay for a $3 million renovation in 1992. This project replaced the old animal habitats. Many of these had not changed since the 1930s. The goal was to create better homes for the animals.

For many years, the zoo offered free admission. But on January 1, 2007, the zoo started charging a fee. This was needed to help cover the zoo's costs.

On February 10, 2011, Julie, a patas monkey, passed away at the Racine Zoo. She was born there and lived almost her whole life at the zoo. She was 28 years old, making her the oldest patas monkey ever recorded.

On October 1, 2019, the Racine Zoo held its first annual lantern festival. They worked with Zigong Lantern Group for this huge event. The festival featured over 300 handmade lanterns. It even had a giant 140-foot dragon!

Meet the Animals at Racine Zoo

The Racine Zoo is home to animals from all over the world. Even though the zoo is not huge, its collection of animals keeps growing!

Mammals

Amphibians

Fish

Birds

Reptiles

(*) These animals are part of education programs and are not always on display.

Fun Beyond the Animals

The zoo grounds also have a playground for kids to enjoy. There is a children's zoo where younger visitors can have special experiences. You can also explore a hands-on discovery center. During the summer, the zoo hosts free Sunday band concerts and the Animal Crackers Jazz Series.