Updates

Latest News: (updated April 3, 2024)

Zoo to Close Early April 27th

The Little Rock Zoo will be closing early Saturday April 27th for Special Event set up. The Zoo will be open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM with the last admission being at 2:30 PM. Join us for a fun night at Wild Wines! We will reopen with normal hours April 28th at 9:00 AM

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Go check-out the updated gift shop, Safari Trader Shop on your next visit. Updated decor, lighting and new offerings will be sure to make you come back again and again.

Also, Café Africa has undergone some updates just begging to be seen! Enjoy a great lunch, beverage or snack in this renovated dining area of the Zoo. We welcome SSA to the Zoo as our new food, beverage, and merchandise vendor.

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The Arkansas Diamond train will be down beginning October 30 as we make updates to the Zoo.

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The loss of City Manager Bruce Moore is felt far and wide. As a department of the City of Little Rock, the Little Rock Zoo has been under the leadership of Bruce Moore since his appointment as city manager many years ago. Bruce has been critical to the Zoo’s success and a constant supporter and advocate of our needs. As city manager, it was a priority of his that Little Rock maintain an accredited zoo. Bruce traveled to many Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Accreditation hearings to show the City’s commitment and made it a priority to provide funding and support to help the Zoo maintain accreditation. In recent years, Bruce has been an even stronger advocate for the Zoo and its development.

Personally, Bruce was an amazing person to work for. He saw the potential in everyone he hired and ensured that everyone had a seat at the table. He cared deeply for every city staff member and would always want updates if an employee was sick or experiencing a loss. The City of Little Rock was part of his family and even if we didn’t know it, we were in his thoughts and prayers. Bruce has given so much to advance our city. The Little Rock Zoo and Little Rock would not be the same without him.

Please join me in keeping Bruce’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

- Susan Altrui, Little Rock Zoo Director

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LITTLE ROCK (September 28, 2023) – On Saturday, September 23, the Little Rock Zoo received a report of a wild bat flying erratically on Zoo grounds. The bat tested positive for rabies at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Glen F. Baker Public Health Laboratory. Although we have not yet heard any reports that the bat came in contact with anyone, as a precaution, we are asking individuals who may have encountered the bat to contact the ADH.

If you or someone you know had direct contact with the bat at the Little Rock Zoo on Saturday, please call the ADH at 501-661-2381 during normal business hours (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or call the after-hours number at 800-554-5738 for a risk assessment to determine if rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. Alternatively, you can email the ADH at adh.zoonotic@arkansas.gov. ADH does not pay for or provide rabies PEP but can provide consultation to citizens and healthcare providers who have questions about whether it is necessary.

On Saturday, Zoo staff observed unusual behavior by the bat and alerted Zoo veterinary staff. The wild bat, which was not part of the Zoo’s collection, was captured. One of the Zoo’s veterinarians, dressed in appropriate personal protective equipment, collected the animal and humanely euthanized it. There was no known exposure to the Zoo’s animal collection.

The Zoo’s standard operating procedure for wildlife includes due diligence checks and reviews of wild animals to ensure they are disease-free to protect the animal collection, staff, and guests. The Zoo captures animals exhibiting neurologically comprised behavior to test for health status and to protect everyone’s safety.

Although bats are an essential part of our ecosystem, they can potentially pose a health risk when they are in close contact with humans. A very small percentage of bats (less than 1%) are infected with rabies, and these bats will become ill and behave abnormally, making them more likely to encounter humans. Rabies is a deadly disease that can be transmitted to people through a bite from an infected animal or more rarely from infectious saliva directly contacting a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or open wound. The rabies virus cannot be transmitted through casual contact or being near an infected animal without direct contact. When appropriate, rabies PEP should be given to exposed individuals to prevent the development of rabies illness. There is no treatment or cure for rabies once symptoms start, and it is nearly 100% fatal, so timely medical intervention is required.

For more information about rabies, visit https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/rabies.

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Soon tickets for Zoo admission will be able to be purchased in advance. Advance purchase is NOT required. The link will be active soon; check back!

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Masks are no longer required at the Little Rock Zoo.

Zoo staff are still required to wear masks in certain behind the scenes animal areas as COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease that has transmitted between humans and certain animals.

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The historic Over-the-Jumps Carousel is open! Come enjoy this piece of Little Rock and Zoo history. Begin or end your day with a ride on one of our beautiful ponies!

Reservations for groups: church, school, etc., are now being accepted. To make your group reservation, please call 501-661-7200 or click here.

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The Zoo is open from 9-4:00pm, with last admission at 3:30pm.

Memberships are available for purchase at the Zoo. We do encourage the purchase of Zoo memberships online before your visit, to allow time for processing. You may use your online receipt as proof of your membership purchase. Your permanent membership card will be available at the Zoo gates soon after your purchase.

The Zoo is now accepting and honoring coupons, free passes, discounts, and reciprocal Zoo memberships.

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PLEASE NOTE: Tickets to the Zoo are paid at the gate.

We’ve enhanced sanitation and reduced touch points to keep you safe and provide a great guest experience.

Helpful information when visiting the Zoo:

Additional hand sanitizing stations have been set-up throughout the Zoo.
Café Africa, the train, Safari Trader Shop and the Over-the-Jumps Historic Carousel are now open.
While outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the Zoo, outside food and drinks may enjoyed in the picnic area outside the Zoo’s Entry Plaza.
An online map will be available on phones by scanning a QR code at entry. Paper maps are still available.
All restrooms will be open, and will be cleaned and disinfected.
Wheelchairs are strollers and are available for rent and will be disinfected before and after each use.
Guests under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Other important Information:

Tickets for non-members/general public must be purchased at the Zoo gate.
The Zoo is accepting reciprocal membership agreements for free or reduced-price admissions.
Free coupons and passes are now accepted.
Reservations for catering are available on a limited basis.
Group sales and reservations are now re-opened.

The Wildest Value in Town!

Little Rock Zoo Memberships

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Memberships support the Zoo's efforts to promote conservation and education. It is the perfect way to benefit humans and animals, alike!