Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge Zoo opened in 1970 as a public place for seeing animals and learning about wildlife. It is managed by the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) and supports conservation work. The zoo itself grew from a local effort in the 1960s, when children collected more than 600,000 pennies to help buy its first two elephants, named Penny and Penny Two. Over time, it has added new exhibits and improved animal habitats.

The zoo is divided into areas based on regions such as Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Visitors can see animals like giraffes, tigers, flamingos, alligators, and otters. Some enclosures are open and easy to view, so people can watch how animals move and interact. There is also a small train that travels around the grounds and gives a different view of some habitats.

Education is an important part of the zoo, with daily talks, feeding sessions, and programs about animal life and conservation. School groups often visit, and the zoo also takes part in breeding programs for endangered species. In late 2024, a jaguar cub was born, the first in over 20 years, and it was introduced to visitors in April 2025. The grounds include shaded paths, picnic areas, and spaces for children.