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Minnesota Zoo Welcome to the official page for the Minnesota Zoo, where we are connecting people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife! AZA-accredited
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Founded in 1978, the Minnesota Zoo exists to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Cutting-edge exhibits provide exciting experiences with animals and their habitats introducing guests to species from around the globe. Education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout the region, and around world. Conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems. For more about the Minnesota Zoo, visit www.mnzoo.org. We love all of our fans! We do ask you to remember that this is a fan page. We are excited about a dialogue with our fans, and are open to everyone's comments and opinions. However, we ask you not to ruin our fans’ experience here by using inappropriate or offensive language, or by posting information that is factually incorrect or even violent in nature. If through your words or actions you demonstrate that you are clearly not a fan of the Minnesota Zoo and do not support our mission of education, conservation, recreation and research, and you deliberately create an environment which damages the fan experience, then your comments will be deleted and you will be denied participation on this page. Thanks for your cooperation!

❤️ Tiny raptor, big journey!American Kestrels are the smallest raptors in North America, but their populations in Minnes...
10/16/2026

❤️ Tiny raptor, big journey!

American Kestrels are the smallest raptors in North America, but their populations in Minnesota have declined by 78% since the 1960s.

Minnesota Zoo Conservation staff are working with experts across the state to better understand these birds and help their populations recover. This spring, six kestrels were fitted with tiny tracking devices to learn more about their movements, habitat use and survival. One juvenile female recently traveled all the way to the Texas Gulf Coast!

The Zoo is also helping address a key nesting need. In September, Zoo Volunteers built 12 nest boxes that will be installed around the Twin Cities this winter, providing potential nesting sites for kestrels returning in the spring.

From tracking remarkable migrations to creating more nesting opportunities, every step helps us learn more about these incredible birds and how to support them.

We're shell-ebrating at the Zoo as mussels are moving out!This past month, approximately 600 native freshwater mussels w...
10/15/2026

We're shell-ebrating at the Zoo as mussels are moving out!

This past month, approximately 600 native freshwater mussels were released into the Mississippi River right in the heart of the Twin Cities. These individuals were raised at the Minnesota Zoo for the last 3 years to help boost local populations of native freshwater mussels.

The designated release areas along the river are important reintroduction sites for returning state threatened Muckets and endangered Higgins' Eye mussels, both species that were once abundant in Minnesota's rivers.

Minnesota is a biodiversity hotspot for freshwater mussels, home to 51 native species. Unfortunately, many of them are imperiled, facing threats that include invasive species, historic overharvesting, pollution, and habitat degradation.

Native mussels provide many services by filtering pollutants from water and creating habitat and food for a multitude of other wildlife. The Zoo and our partners are working to address these threats and restore native mussel populations to help our lakes and rivers thrive.

We’re trumpeting the arrival of a rhinoceros hornbill chick! 🐦❤️Hatched in April to mom Miri and dad Hutan, this nearly ...
10/14/2026

We’re trumpeting the arrival of a rhinoceros hornbill chick! 🐦❤️

Hatched in April to mom Miri and dad Hutan, this nearly full-sized chick has joined its parents on the Tropics Trail. We’ve even added new perching spots to make room for all three big birds!

Rhinoceros hornbills are threatened by habitat loss and hunting in their native Southeast Asian forests. Through AZA SAFE Asian Hornbill and the Rhinoceros Hornbill Species Survival Plan, we’re working with partners to help protect these incredible birds in the wild and in human care.

Stay tuned for the chick’s name! 👀

10/14/2026

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🐯 Animals love the cooler temps as much as we do. Hit the outside trails to see orange-and-black tigers, red pandas, gol...
10/13/2026

🐯 Animals love the cooler temps as much as we do. Hit the outside trails to see orange-and-black tigers, red pandas, golden takins, and a brown bear.

Black-tailed prairie dog 📸: Volunteer Steve S.

Tiny but mighty! 🐾 Meet our trio of bintlets! Two females and one male were born August 11 to mom Rumi, and they’re thri...
10/12/2026

Tiny but mighty! 🐾 Meet our trio of bintlets! Two females and one male were born August 11 to mom Rumi, and they’re thriving behind the scenes at the Zoo.

Binturong babies (also called bintlets or binlets) are growing fast! They’ve started sampling their first fruits and veggies, are getting steadier on their feet and are sharpening their climbing skills. These tree-dwelling mammals need those skills to navigate life in the treetops! 🌿

Their arrival is also a big win for binturong conservation. Rumi, who came to the Zoo from Indonesia, brings unique genetics not represented by any other binturong at an AZA-accredited zoo. Through the AZA Species Survival Plan, she was paired with dad Felix to help support a healthy, genetically diverse population.

🍿 Fun fact: Binturongs smell like buttered popcorn! On your next visit, follow your nose to the Tropics Trail to see dad Felix.

Stay tuned for the bintlets’ names and updates on when they’ll make their habitat debut!

Stripes, stripes everywhere! 👀🐅🐠🐍Think you can spot them all? The Keebler Spookie Stripes Safari has you searching the Z...
10/11/2026

Stripes, stripes everywhere! 👀🐅🐠🐍

Think you can spot them all? The Keebler Spookie Stripes Safari has you searching the Zoo for striped animals! Scan the QR code at the entrance, then follow the clues to find the animals and learn more about what makes their stripes so special. 🔎

Ready to start exploring?

The Spookie Stripes Safari is included with daytime admission through Oct. 31. Complete the safari for a chance to win prizes, including a Minnesota Zoo membership, a behind-the-scenes animal experience and a VIP trip for four to Nashville Zoo. 🎃

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of 50 United States and D.C., 18+. Ends 10/31/26. Void in PR & where prohibited. See official rules at keeblerspookiesweeps.com.

The tropics are calling for your camera! Adults are invited to sharpen their skills as indoor animal photographers on Sa...
10/10/2026

The tropics are calling for your camera! Adults are invited to sharpen their skills as indoor animal photographers on Saturday, October 17 at the Minnesota Zoo. Join Don Tredinnick of Frozen Hiker Photography in the classroom and on the Tropics Trail for three hours of instruction and practice. Learn techniques for overcoming challenges like darkness, glare, and reflections in glass. Then see how lemurs love the limelight.

Register soon at mnzoo.org/adult-photography

10/10/2026

Thanks Explore Minnesota 🎃

Come climb, swing and explore a little longer! This year, we’re keeping Hanifl Wild Woods and Woodland Adventure open fo...
10/10/2026

Come climb, swing and explore a little longer! This year, we’re keeping Hanifl Wild Woods and Woodland Adventure open for outdoor playtime through Sunday, November 1.

Please note: While one play area may occasionally be closed for winterization work, the other will be open.

🦖 Last day to dig into Dino Hideout is Sunday, October 18. These cold-blood creatures need to bundle up before the snow flies.

Address

13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN
55124

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+19524319200

Website

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