Who Runs The Detroit Zoo?

It is operated by

the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS)

, a non-profit organization, along with the Belle Isle Nature Center, located within the city limits of Detroit on Belle Isle. The Detroit Zoo is one of Michigan's largest family attractions, hosting more than 1.5 million visitors annually.

Is the Detroit Zoo a nonprofit?

The Detroit Zoological Society

is a nonprofit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center.

How much does the CEO of the Detroit Zoo make?

Who is the CEO of the Detroit Zoo?

Dr. Hayley Murphy

, a veterinarian who has been deputy director of Zoo Atlanta, will become director and chief executive officer for the Detroit Zoological Society. Murphy, who begins her new job on Nov. 1, will succeed longtime and acclaimed director Ron Kagan, who is retiring.

Is the Detroit Zoo ethical?

Kagan says good cultural institutions keep evolving. The Detroit Zoo's

decision to end its elephant program

for ethical reasons in 2004 — the first animal facility of its size in the nation to take that step — was part of the zoo's continued growth, he says.

Why is Belle Isle zoo closed?

Then-mayor Kwame Kilpatrick decided to keep the zoo closed,

citing funding issues and the city's growing deficit

. In 2004, a public campaign by groups including the Friends of Belle Isle resulted in the passage of a local bond issue to fund reopening the park.

How long is the walk around the Detroit Zoo?

How long does it take to walk around the Zoo? How far is it? The Zoo is 125 acres. If you walk all the primary pathways on the main route, it is a

1.7-mile trip

.

Can you bring a backpack into the Detroit Zoo?

Reusable Bottles and Bags

Additionally, the Zoo no longer provides plastic bags for gift shop purchases; visitors are encouraged to bring their own bags or purchase

wildlife-themed reusable bags at Zoofari Market

, Arctic Outpost, Drake Passage Gifts or any of the souvenir stands.

How much is parking at Detroit Zoo?

Pricing. Cost will vary subject to date and time; Tickets sold in advance (either online or on site at Customer Care during daytime Detroit Zoo hours) will range from $15 to $20; parking is

$8 per car

.

Is the penguin exhibit open at the Detroit Zoo?

The Detroit Zoo's popular Polk Penguin Conservation Center — which closed in September 2019 for an estimated nine months of building repairs — remains shuttered nearly two years later.

A reopening date has not been announced

. “The contractors continue to work on repairing what was not properly built.

Does the Detroit Zoo have polar bears?

There are

currently 56 polar bears in 25 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums

, according to the zoo. The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, west of Woodward Avenue. For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit detroitzoo.org.

What is special about the Detroit Zoo?

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Detroit Zoo features many award-winning habitats including

the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, National Amphibian Conservation Center

, Great Apes of Harambee and Arctic Ring of Life, which was named the number-two best zoo exhibit in the U.S. by the Intrepid …

Why did the Detroit Zoo get rid of the elephants?

Both Wanda and Winky had

chronic arthritis and foot problems

, developed over years of zoo captivity. … The Detroit Zoo was the first zoo in the country to decide solely on ethical grounds to no longer keep elephants. In the years since, more zoos have made the same decision.

Does Detroit Zoo have an aquarium?

And marvel at the amazing lives of fish and aquatic animals at the

Belle Isle Aquarium

-the country's oldest-or Sea Life Michigan Aquarium-the state's newest. … Home to more than 2,000 animals representing 230 species, the Detroit Zoo is 125 acres of fun for the whole family.

Does anyone live on Belle Isle?

There are no hotels and no residents on the island

. over a year ago. As far as I know, there are no hotels on the isle, but it's a great place to visit, walk, bike and explore.

Is the Belle Isle zoo still abandoned?

Detroit's

old abandoned Children's Zoo

– once a vast and well-kept expanse – has today been almost completely reclaimed by nature. As its name suggests, it was located on Belle Isle, at 982 acres (1.5 sq miles), the largest city park on an island in the United States.