Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA nonprofit zoological park and aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, recognized for immersive habitats, conservation science, animal research, and public education.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a large nonprofit zoological park in Omaha, Nebraska. Its institutional history reaches back to Riverview Park Zoo, where animals were first displayed in 1894. The modern organization developed through the Omaha Zoological Society, formed in 1952 to provide a more durable structure for improving and administering the zoo. In 1963, Margaret Hitchcock Doorly made a substantial gift in memory of her late husband, Henry Doorly, a prominent Omaha publisher and chairman of the World Publishing Company. Her donation was made on the condition that the institution be renamed Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. The zoo's identity is built around four linked functions: conservation, research, recreation, and education. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and participates in international zoological cooperation through the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Rather than presenting only conventional animal enclosures, the institution has invested in large-scale, climate-controlled and geographically themed environments. The Lied Jungle recreates a tropical rainforest, the Desert Dome presents desert ecosystems beneath a prominent geodesic dome, and Kingdoms of the Night occupies the space beneath the dome with nocturnal habitats and an indoor swamp. The Walter and Suzanne Scott Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium provides marine and freshwater displays, while the African Grasslands, Asian Highlands, Hubbard Gorilla Valley, Hubbard Orangutan Forest, Expedition Madagascar, and the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion extend the geographic and ecological range of the campus. Conservation and research are central to the zoo's public identity. Its Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research supports animal science, veterinary work, propagation programs, pathology, and research partnerships. The zoo has participated in species-survival and breeding efforts involving animals such as black-footed ferrets, okapis, gorillas, tigers, gaur, elephants, and threatened amphibians. Its history also includes reproductive research, including early assisted-reproduction milestones involving tigers, gaur, and gorillas. These programs connect the visitor experience with work intended to maintain genetically managed populations and improve knowledge of animal care. The visitor offer combines exhibits with transportation, interpretation, and family attractions. The Omaha Zoo Railroad began operating in 1968 with assistance from Union Pacific. Later additions included the Skyfari aerial tram, Sue's Carousel, interactive animal experiences, educational centers, food and retail facilities, and the Lozier IMAX theater. The zoo also operates the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari near Ashland, Nebraska, extending its conservation and public-program footprint beyond the main Omaha campus. Major redevelopment has repeatedly reshaped the institution. African Grasslands opened in 2016 after a large, multiyear construction program, and Asian Highlands opened in phases in 2018 and 2019. The zoo continued renovating older primate and Madagascar facilities, reopening them in 2021. Its scale, architectural ambition, animal collections, conservation work, and visitor programming have made it one of the best-known zoos in the United States. In 2014, TripAdvisor's review-based ranking placed it first among a large group of major zoos worldwide, although that distinction reflected a user-review algorithm rather than an official industry title.
History
The site began as Riverview Park Zoo in 1894. By the end of the nineteenth century, its collection had expanded substantially. In the 1920s and 1930s, private donations and Works Progress Administration construction added or improved animal facilities, including cat and bear exhibits. The Omaha Zoological Society was established in 1952 to coordinate the zoo's long-term improvement and administration. A decisive institutional change came in 1963, when Margaret Hitchcock Doorly donated $750,000 in memory of her late husband, Henry Doorly, with the condition that the zoo bear his name. The organization was reorganized as a nonprofit in 1965, and a new development phase added facilities for bears, gorillas, orangutans, and other animals. During the late 1960s and 1970s, the zoo expanded both its animal infrastructure and visitor amenities. Union Pacific helped construct the track for the Omaha Zoo Railroad, whose first run took place in 1968. New sea lion, swan, primate, education, veterinary, nursery, and hoofstock facilities followed. The 1980s brought an aviary, a saltwater aquarium, a new entrance complex, and additional partnerships and visitor facilities. In 1988, construction began on the Lied Jungle, while the zoo also entered a black-footed ferret endangered-species breeding program. The 1990s established the institution's modern conservation and immersive-exhibit profile. The Lied Jungle opened in 1992, presenting a large indoor rainforest with associated education and dining facilities. The aquarium was replaced by the Walter and Suzanne Scott Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium in 1995. The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research opened in 1996, strengthening the zoo's scientific, veterinary, and propagation capacity. The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari opened near Ashland in 1998, and the zoo continued participating in managed breeding and reproductive research programs. The Desert Dome was completed in 2002. At the time of its construction it was described as one of the world's largest indoor deserts and as the largest glazed geodesic dome. Kingdoms of the Night opened beneath it in 2003, creating a nocturnal exhibit and indoor swamp. Hubbard Gorilla Valley and Hubbard Orangutan Forest followed in 2004 and 2005. Further visitor-oriented additions included the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion in 2008, Skyfari in 2009, and Expedition Madagascar in 2010. In 2011, the zoo began redeveloping the former Rosenblatt Stadium site for parking and visitor services while preserving a small home-plate memorial. The aquarium reopened after renovation in 2012, and the institution adopted the current Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium name. In 2014, Stingray Beach and camel rides were added, and planning and construction began for African Grasslands. African Grasslands opened in 2016 after several years of planning and construction. The project expanded the campus with a large African-themed landscape and became one of the zoo's defining recent developments. Its opening produced exceptionally heavy attendance. The zoo subsequently added Asian Highlands in two phases in 2018 and 2019, opened Owen Sea Lion Shores in 2020, and reopened renovated primate and Madagascar facilities in 2021. Elephant-management developments included births in 2022 and 2023 and the transfer of the bull Callee to another accredited zoo for breeding. Across its history, the institution has combined capital construction, managed animal populations, research, conservation partnerships, and public programming.
- 2021
Renovated primate and Madagascar exhibits reopen
[1]Hubbard Gorilla Valley, Expedition Madagascar, and Hubbard Orangutan Forest reopened following extensive renovations.
- 2018
Asian Highlands phase one opens
[1]The first phase of an eight-acre central Asian-themed habitat opened, followed by a second phase in 2019.
- 2016
African Grasslands opens
[1]The 28-acre African Grasslands exhibit opened after a multiyear development program.
- 2009
Skyfari opens
[1]An aerial tram began connecting the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion with the zoo's African exhibit area.
- 2008
Butterfly and Insect Pavilion opens
[1]A total-immersion pavilion opened with butterfly, insect, amphibian, and rearing facilities.
- 2003
Kingdoms of the Night opens
[1]The area beneath the Desert Dome opened as a large nocturnal-animal and indoor-swamp exhibit.
- 2002
Desert Dome is completed
[1]A large geodesic dome presenting desert habitats was completed.
- 1995
Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium opens
[1]The new aquarium replaced the earlier aquarium and significantly expanded marine and aquatic interpretation.
- 1992
Lied Jungle opens
[1]The zoo opened a major indoor rainforest exhibit and associated education and visitor facilities.
- 1968
Omaha Zoo Railroad begins service
[1]The zoo's railroad made its inaugural run in July with track-development assistance from Union Pacific.
Products and positioning
A conservation-led, research-oriented zoological institution known for exceptionally large immersive habitats, distinctive indoor ecosystems, family attractions, and education.
Indoor rainforest exhibit · 1992
Lied Jungle
A large indoor rainforest environment opened in 1992. It combines tropical vegetation, water features, animal habitats, interpretation, and visitor facilities to simulate rainforest conditions inside the zoo.
Indoor desert exhibit · 2002
Desert Dome
A prominent glazed geodesic dome presenting desert ecosystems from different regions. Completed in 2002, it is paired with Kingdoms of the Night beneath the dome and is one of the zoo's signature architectural and ecological attractions.
Nocturnal-animal exhibit · 2003
Kingdoms of the Night
An indoor exhibit beneath the Desert Dome that focuses on animals active at night and includes a simulated swamp environment. It is presented as one of the world's largest nocturnal exhibits.
Aquarium · 1995
Walter and Suzanne Scott Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium
The zoo's principal aquarium opened in 1995 after replacing an earlier facility. It presents marine and freshwater environments and supports the institution's aquatic education and conservation programming.
Large-scale African habitat · 2016
African Grasslands
A 28-acre landscape opened in 2016 after a major redevelopment. It provides broad habitats for African species, including elephants, and is one of the zoo's largest and most prominent modern expansions.
Geographic habitat · 2018
Asian Highlands
An eight-acre themed area representing highland environments of central Asia, including parts of India and China. It opened in two phases and incorporates animal habitats, visitor interpretation, food service, and a children's discovery area.
Butterfly and insect exhibit · 2008
Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion
A 14,000-square-foot immersive pavilion with a butterfly conservatory, chrysalis-hatching area, insect habitats, amphibian work, plant-rearing rooms, and behind-the-scenes viewing. It combines public display with conservation and husbandry functions.
Visitor transportation · 1968
Omaha Zoo Railroad
A railway that circumnavigates portions of the zoo and provides both transportation and a sightseeing experience. Its first public run took place in 1968.
Aerial tram · 2009
Skyfari
An aerial chairlift linking the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion with the African exhibit area. It offers an elevated view of the grounds while moving visitors between parts of the campus.
Off-site wildlife park · 1998
Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari
A related conservation and visitor facility near Ashland, Nebraska, opened in 1998. Its drive-through and open-landscape format extends the zoo's wildlife education and conservation presence beyond Omaha.
Brand decisions
2018
Develop Asian HighlandsProduct launchBackground
The zoo sought to add a new geographic habitat on previously undeveloped land.
Action taken
It opened the first phase of Asian Highlands in 2018 and completed a second phase in 2019.
Aftermath
The expansion broadened the zoo's regional representation and added new family-oriented visitor amenities.
Project cost. $22 million (2018-2019)
2016
Open African GrasslandsProduct launchBackground
The zoo pursued a multiyear redevelopment of its eastern boundary and former Pachyderm Hill area.
Action taken
It opened a 28-acre African habitat on May 27, 2016.
Aftermath
The opening became a major attendance event, with unusually high visitor volumes during the first day.
Project cost. $73 million (2016)
1963
Accept naming gift and rename the zooStrategyBackground
Margaret Hitchcock Doorly offered a major donation in memory of Henry Doorly on the condition that the institution carry his name.
Action taken
The zoo adopted the Henry Doorly name and used the gift to support its institutional development.
Aftermath
The naming established the identity under which the zoo subsequently expanded into a major nonprofit zoological institution.
Donation. $750,000 (1963)
Recent events
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