Phillips Park Zoo

Phillips Park Zoo Phillips Park Zoo is a municipal zoo operated by the City of Aurora, IL.
(1916)

It's hard to put into words how much we appreciate all of the people that make the Phillips Park Zoo what it is. Being a...
07/24/2026

It's hard to put into words how much we appreciate all of the people that make the Phillips Park Zoo what it is. Being a Zookeeper is a hard job with long hours and extreme dedication to the animals that depend on them. They work in all conditions, on holidays, and sometimes all hours of the day. We have loved getting to highlight some of the incredible things our staff are doing for Zookeeper Appreciation Week. Next time you're visiting, say hi to our amazing animal care professionals!

Zookeeper Appreciation Week Highlight: Have you ever noticed something out of place in an animal exhibit like a toy or b...
07/23/2026

Zookeeper Appreciation Week Highlight: Have you ever noticed something out of place in an animal exhibit like a toy or box? That's enrichment! Zookeepers provide enrichment to our animals on a daily basis to keep them stimulated, happy, and healthy. Whether it is a novel food, a festive banner, a new hide, or a stimulating scent, it all contributes to the overall welfare of our animals. Our keepers come up with creative enrichment for all animals in our collection- keep an eye out for it on your next visit!

Zookeeper Appreciation Week highlight: Let's Talk Training! Training is an integral part of the husbandry our keepers pr...
07/22/2026

Zookeeper Appreciation Week highlight: Let's Talk Training! Training is an integral part of the husbandry our keepers provide the animals in our care. It takes dedication, patience, and expertise to build the foundation of trust required to have animals cooperatively participate in their care. From standing still for veterinary observations to halter training to nail trims, our zookeepers train it all, on all the different species that call the Phillips Park Zoo home.

07/21/2026

⏰ CLOCKED IN ⏰

Meet Anna Borozenets, manager of our wonderful Phillips Park Zoo! Anna does an amazing job leading the Zoo team in keeping our animals safe, healthy, and ready for visitors like you.

Watch below to hear more about what Anna's typical (or not so typical) day looks like!

Zookeeper Appreciation Week Highlight: Conservation! The Phillips Park Zoo is proud to participate in the Blanding's tur...
07/21/2026

Zookeeper Appreciation Week Highlight: Conservation! The Phillips Park Zoo is proud to participate in the Blanding's turtle headstart program. Our zookeepers raise hatchlings through the winter and then partner with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County to release them back into the wild and survey the local ecology. This conservation initiative is helping to bring back the native Blanding's turtle population and we are grateful for all of the work our zookeepers put into it!

Zookeeper Appreciation Week highlight: Have you ever wondered what goes into a check-up for a bald eagle? Like all anima...
07/20/2026

Zookeeper Appreciation Week highlight: Have you ever wondered what goes into a check-up for a bald eagle? Like all animals that call the Phillips Park Zoo home, Pepper Ann the bald eagle had her annual vet exam where she was checked over and given a clean bill of health. The honed skills of our zoo keepers and the versatile knowledge of our veterinarian make exams like these just another day at the zoo!

07/17/2026

The zoo will be closed today due to air quality. Our staff will continue closely monitoring the animals through these conditions and keeping them indoors where possible. We appreciate your understanding.

The Phillips Park Zoo is open 9am-5pm on July 4th. The tram will not be running on Saturday, but you can see it in the 4...
07/04/2026

The Phillips Park Zoo is open 9am-5pm on July 4th. The tram will not be running on Saturday, but you can see it in the 4th of July Parade!

07/02/2026

🌟 Welcome To Aurora's New Baby Elk, Benji!

Following a two-week-long voting period, the City of Aurora is excited to reveal the name of the new baby elk that was born in early June at the Phillips Park Zoo.

Over 800 votes were cast by the public, as voters chose from five names put together by the City’s Zoo staff, including Chet, Barry, Benji, Kiran, and Asher.

The top vote getter and the new name of Aurora’s baby elk is BENJI!

Benji was born to his mother, Aashi, on June 6th at 3:30 P.M. at the Zoo. Aashi is about 10 years old and joined the Zoo’s elk herd in April.

Those interested in seeing Benji can visit the Phillips Park Zoo, located at 1000 Ray Moses Drive, on Thursdays through Tuesdays from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. For more information on Aurora's Phillips Park Zoo, please visit https://zoo.aurora.il.us. 📲

Due to the extreme heat, animals have access to indoors and cooler spaces and may not be visible. Stay cool out there!
07/01/2026

Due to the extreme heat, animals have access to indoors and cooler spaces and may not be visible. Stay cool out there!

Address

1000 Ray Moses Drive
Aurora, IL
60505

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16302563860

Website

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