PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

The Detroit Zoo smashed its modern-day attendance record in 2015, attracting 1,476,378 visitors. The previous record, set in 1997, was 1,364,905. This marks the tenth consecutive year the Zoo’s attendance has exceeded one million.

Wild Lights – the Detroit Zoo’s annual holiday light display presented by Bank of America – drew more than 144,000 guests, contributing to the year’s robust attendance figure. The new Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness, which opened in June, also proved to be a popular attraction, as did summer’s spectacular Dinosauria exhibit with 40 animatronic dinosaurs.

“Good weather for most of the year, Wild Lights, wolves, dinosaurs and continued improvements in operations and facilities are all contributing factors,” said Ron Kagan, Detroit Zoological Society executive director and CEO. “We’re grateful to our community for another fantastic year and look forward to providing even more outstanding experiences in 2016.”

The Polk Penguin Conservation Center, scheduled to open in April, is expected to increase the Detroit Zoo’s attendance even more. It will be the largest penguin facility in the world, home to more than 80 birds of four species – gentoo, macaroni, rockhopper and king.