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Zoo Facts
General | History | Future | Potpourri
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Hours
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9 a.m. - 4 p.m. September 16 - April 14
9 a.m. - 6 p.m. April 15 - September 15
The zoo is open everyday except December 25. |
| Rates |
Adults (12-64) $9.00
Seniors (65 and over) $7.50
Children (3-11) $6.00
Infants (2 & under) Free
For Information on group rates and Train tickets go to our Visitor Information page. For special event rates, please call 503-226-1561. |
| Mission |
"Inspiring our community to create a better future for wildlife." |
| Director |
Tony Vecchio |
| Address |
4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, Oregon 97221 |
| Phone |
(503) 226-1561 |
| Directions |
The zoo is located 5 minutes west of downtown Portland on Highway 26. Watch for the signs. The zoo is the first exit from this highway. Visit our "How to get Here" page for more detailed information. |
| Size |
64 acres |
| Annual attendance |
1,328,761 (2000) |
| Parking & Transportation |
Free Parking. 960 spaces, 17 disabled person spaces. A shuttle runs from the next freeway exit on busy days. TriMet Light Rail Service (MAX) stops 200 feet from the Zoo entrance. |
| Max Light Rail |
The Oregon Zoo is located along the MAX light rail line, five minutes from downtown Portland. Leave your car at home and take the MAX train. The MAX stops at the zoo approximately every ten minutes. |
| Animal collection |
About 1,029 specimens representing 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Of these, 21 species are endangered and 33 are threatened. The zoo is currently active in 21 Species Survival Plans. |
| Plant collection |
The Oregon Zoo highlights animals and their habitat. The zoo's botanical garden has more than 1,000 species of exotic plants, including Firebird Heliconia, Pelican Flower, Ground Orchid. Some of the exotic plants are harvested and given to the animals as browse. |
| Exhibits |
Our zoo has nine major exhibits, representing various geographic areas of the world. For more information and pictures, go to the Our Exhibits section. |
| Washington Park and Zoo Railway |
Nestled among tall evergreens in the steep Portland west hills, one and a half miles of track winds from the Oregon Zoo to Washington Park. Train riders are offered a unique opportunity to enjoy a four-mile ride on five-sixths scale replicas of yesteryears iron horses. It is the last operating railway and receives requests from around the world for its series of unique postal cancellations. Railway tickets are $3.00 for adults, and $2.25 for children and seniors.
The Zoo Loop is a shorter, one mile route around the perimeter of the zoo grounds. This route runs through Memorial Day Weekend. Zoo Loop Railway Tickets are $2.00 for adults, and $1.50 for children and seniors.
Proceeds from the railway help with the upkeep of the railway and also fund conservation projects throughout the zoo.
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| Concerts |
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host a summer concert series. Highlighting nationally renowned artists, June through August, the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series is Portland's longest running outdoor music series. Funds raised from the series assists the zoo in fulfilling its mission of conservation and education. |
| Special Events |
More than a million visitors come to the Oregon Zoo every year not only to view rare and exotic animals, but also to learn more about the zoo's residents through fun events and exciting educational experiences. Each year the zoo brings outstanding programs and summer exhibits. From Breakfast with the Beast or Packy the elephant's birthday bash, to the summer concert series or winter ZooLights festival, there's something for everyone at the Oregon Zoo. For a complete listing of all Zoo programs check out our Calendar of Events section. |
| Catering |
The zoo's catering department provides several terrific spots to hold events ranging from wedding receptions and company picnics, to holiday parties and corporate retreats. The options are endless! Our professional event planners can meet everyone's needs-from custom menus to music, from flowers to thematic décor. |
| Food Services |
We offer a variety of dining options, from indoor dining at the Cascade Grill to food carts located throughout the zoo. |
| Cascade Grill |
Where can you look out over alpine rocks and hear the sounds of exotic animals while you eat a nice meal? The Oregon Zoo's Cascade Grill! The spacious dining roomit seats 190has a high, open-beam ceiling arching over cozy wooden booths. Both carpet and metalwork chandeliers are commissioned art pieces, reflecting the Great Northwest. When the sun is out, the large outdoor deck is the place to be, or, for a more intimate party, reserve the private dining room with a view of the train and lower exhibits. The Cascade Grill is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A Cascade Plaza food facility (Grill or Kiosk) will be open until 5 p.m. |
| AfriCafe |
Where can you look out over exotic birds and lush tropical vegetation? The Oregon Zoos AfriCafe. This year-round cafeteria-style restaurant overlooks the Vollum Aviary for a unique ambiance. Look closely to see the banana tree in bloom or with fruit hanging. AfriCafe is open daily, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. |
| Bear Walk Cafe |
In the summer the Bear Walk Café opens daily, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm serving pizza and waffle cones. A variety of concession stands can also be found throughout the zoo. |
Gift Shop
"Cascade Outfitters" |
The Oregon Zoo's main gift shop "Cascade Outfitters" is a treat for the discriminating shopper looking for animal related gifts. Cascade Outfitters offers many unique and eco-friendly gifts, with each purchase helping the zoo fund its many conservation programs and environmental education efforts. No zoo admission is necessary to shop. Purchases made at the shop support the zoos conservation efforts. |
| Staff |
170 full and part-time employees |
| Volunteers |
The Oregon Zoo has the largest zoo volunteer program in the country. More than 1,500 individuals volunteer more than 117,000 hours per year. For more information, or to find out how you can join in the fun, jump to the Volunteer section. |
| Economic Impact |
The Oregon Zoo is a major contributor to the region's economy and annually generates nearly $42 million in benefits including $23.9 million in gross domestic product and $18 million or 675 FTE in labor income, In addition, The Great Northwest project is projected to add $48.2 million in economic benefit (including labor income and spending) to the region over the next four years. |
| Budget |
$23.4 million |
| Education Impact |
During the last fiscal year, residents of some 155 Oregon communities participated in our education programs... including school field trips, zoo overnights and in-school programs. |
| Membership |
Zoo members hail from 80 towns, cities and villages throughout Oregon ... from Klamath Falls to Astoria and from Pendleton to North Bend. |
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General Zoo Information
Founded in 1887, the award-winning Oregon Zoo is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi. The zoo's 64 acres are home to animals from all corners of the world, including Asian elephants, Peruvian penguins and Arctic polar bears. From the mist-filled Africa Rain Forest to the majestic new Great Northwest exhibits, the zoo encourages visitors to understand and experience the natural world. Committed to conservation of endangered species and their habitatsboth locally and around the globethe zoo is a center for wildlife preservation and field research. The Oregon Zoos award-winning education programs serve more than a half-million people both at the zoo and at schools, senior and community centers around the region. A summer concert series, seasonal events and the zoo railway help this popular Oregon attraction draw more than one million visitors each year. The Oregon Zoo is all of this, but it is also a safe place for families to share moments of discovery and fun.
 History
The Washington Park Zoo, as it was then called, celebrated its 100th birthday in 1987. From its humble beginnings in the back of a pharmacy in downtown Portland to its prominence as the leading paid attraction in the state of Oregon, the zoo has seen a multitude of changes. In 1887, Richard Knight, a local pharmacist who collected animals as a hobby, officially presented his menagerie to the city and the zoo was created. Having previously occupied two other Washington Park locations, the zoo moved to its present site in 1959. For more information, take a look into our past.
Future
The zoo is committed to providing the best possible facility for its animals as well as the community. A comprehensive plan, "A Great Zoo: Framework for the Future," examines the entire zoo, and incorporates the vision, "Caring Now for the Future of Life," into each department's goals for the next 25 years and beyond. The building master plan balances animals, natural habitats, native culture, technology, plantings, and innovative architecture. As always, the zoo will continue to be a source of discovery and fun that allows visitors to understand and experience the natural world and our place in it. For more information, see what we have planned for the future.
Potpourri
Education Programs
The zoo offers programs for zoo visitors, schools and other institutions, special programs for senior citizens and handicapped persons, and classes for adults, children and families. Volunteers and keepers deliver animal talks, tours and presentations, and a professional staff presents living history, birds of prey and other animal shows. All outreach programs seek to educate people about wildlife and habitat issues.
Volunteers
More than 1,500 volunteers contribute over 125,000 hours per year in conservation research, events, promotions, on and off-grounds education programs, and our Zoo Teen program. Volunteers add the equivalent of up to 60 full-time staff members to our work force.
Events
Yearly events include summer concerts (ten weeks) and the month-long ZooLights Festival during the holiday season. Senior Safari and Packy's Birthday are just two of the many annual one-day special events. For a schedule, jump to the Event Calendar.
Washington Park and Zoo Railway
An authentic steam engine (temporarily out of service) leads one of three trains that take visitors through the zoo and the wooded hills of Washington Park. The 5/8 size replica follows a four-mile course to a depot near Portland's International Rose Test and Japanese Gardens. It is the last operating railway with an authorized postal cancellation and receives requests from around the world for its series of unique postal cancellations.
Membership
The Oregon Zoo Foundation is a nonprofit membership organization that offers special benefits, including free admission to the zoo and 125 reciprocal zoos across the country. The Foundation supports the zoo through continuous membership drives, fundraising activities, promotions, the ZooParent sponsor program and special projects.
Funding
Income is derived from a tax base through the Metropolitan Service District, zoo admissions, concessions, contributions, special promotions, the Oregon Zoo Foundation and grants. Budgeted amount for fiscal year 96-97 is $14,826,000 for operating costs. For more information, visit Metro.
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