Saint Louis Zoo
A publicly supported, free-admission zoological park in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Saint Louis Zoo, formally the Saint Louis Zoological Park, is a zoological institution in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. It is known for combining free general admission with animal care, conservation science, research, education, and large naturalistic habitats. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and operates within the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District, a public cultural-tax district that helps fund the institution. Visitors may pay separately for selected attractions, while the main zoo grounds remain free to enter. The institution traces its origins to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. The Smithsonian Institution built a large walk-through aviary, later known as the Flight Cage, for the fair. After the exposition closed, St. Louis residents voted to purchase the structure rather than have it dismantled and returned to Washington, D.C. The Flight Cage became the first major component of the future zoo. Growing civic interest led to the organization of the Zoological Society of St. Louis in 1910 and its incorporation as an independent civic organization in 1914. A zoological park was ultimately established in Forest Park on land set aside by the city. The zoo expanded steadily during the twentieth century, adding bear, primate, reptile, bird, antelope, ape, elephant, and aquatic facilities. Its public-support model was strengthened in 1916, when voters approved a dedicated millage tax for construction and later, in 1972, when the zoo joined the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District. This arrangement helped finance long-term exhibit renewal while preserving free general admission. The Emerson Zooline Railroad, a narrow-gauge railway encircling the grounds, became one of the zoo's best-known visitor features. Modern development has emphasized geographic habitat zones, conservation interpretation, and improved welfare standards. Major projects have included Living World, River's Edge, the Bayer Insectarium, Penguin and Puffin Coast, Fragile Forest, Sea Lion Sound, Polar Bear Point, Centene Grizzly Ridge, and the Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails. The zoo also maintains the Sears Lehmann farm in St. Louis County for endangered-species breeding and education. Its conservation work includes Forest Park box-turtle tracking, reusable-bag advocacy, endangered-species programs, and scientific partnerships. In 2017, the zoo joined Washington University in St. Louis and the Missouri Botanical Garden in the Living Earth Collaborative, a research and conservation initiative focused on understanding and protecting biodiversity. The institution has also received national recognition, including USA Today selections as the best zoo in the United States in 2017 and 2018. Its current development agenda includes an electric replacement program for the Zooline Railroad and the proposed St. Louis Zoo WildCare Park, a large second campus in north St. Louis County intended to provide extensive habitats for endangered hoofstock and other species.
History
The Saint Louis Zoo began with the Flight Cage constructed by the Smithsonian Institution for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Rather than allow the aviary to be dismantled after the fair, St. Louis citizens purchased it for $3,500. The structure became the foundation of a permanent zoological institution. In 1910, civic supporters organized the Zoological Society of St. Louis, and the organization was incorporated in 1914. After debate over possible locations, the city reserved 77 acres in Forest Park for a zoological park and appointed a Zoological Board of Control. The early collection included deer, antelope, bison, birds, hoofstock, small mammals, and other species. The zoo's first major expansion began with the Bear Pits in 1921, followed by the Primate House in 1923 and Reptile House in 1927. A Bird House opened in 1930, while the Antelope House was built with New Deal assistance in 1935. The Ape House followed in 1939. The zoo also briefly held giant pandas during this period. Postwar construction added the Stupp Memorial Pheasantry and lion arena in 1954 and the Elephant House and associated yards in 1957. The Emerson Zooline Railroad began operating in 1963, and the Charles H. Yalem Children's Zoo and animal nursery were added later in the decade. In 1972, the zoo joined the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District and began receiving public-tax support. This financial structure enabled continued exhibit modernization while retaining free admission. A new period of large-scale development began with the Aquatic House in 1971, Big Cat Country in 1976, Jungle of the Apes in 1986, and Living World in 1989. Living World combined classrooms, a teacher-resource center, a library, an auditorium, interpretive galleries, visitor services, and administrative space. In 1993, the zoo received the 355-acre Sears Lehmann farm for endangered-species breeding and educational purposes. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the zoo reorganized much of its visitor experience around habitat and geographic themes. The Emerson Children's Zoo and River's Edge opened in stages, followed by the Bayer Insectarium, Penguin and Puffin Coast, the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel, Fragile Forest, and Caribbean Cove. River's Edge ultimately represented wildlife from North America, Africa, and Asia, including elephants, rhinoceroses, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas, and other species. The Living Promise Campaign, launched in 2010, supported a major capital-renewal program. Its projects included Polar Bear Point, Centene Grizzly Ridge, Sea Lion Sound, and improvements to existing facilities. Polar Bear Point opened in 2015, while Grizzly Ridge opened in 2017. The Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails opened in 2021 as a large outdoor primate habitat connected to the historic Primate House. Conservation and research have become increasingly central to the zoo's identity. The institution participates in endangered-species breeding, Forest Park turtle monitoring, reusable-bag advocacy, and partnerships with universities and botanical institutions. The Living Earth Collaborative, created in 2017 with Washington University in St. Louis and the Missouri Botanical Garden, broadened this work into collaborative biodiversity research. The zoo continues to update its infrastructure and visitor facilities. In 2023 it introduced its first electric Zooline Railroad locomotive. It is also developing plans for St. Louis Zoo WildCare Park, a proposed 425-acre north St. Louis County campus focused on large habitats and endangered ungulates, with a target opening in 2027. The main Forest Park campus remains the institution's public-facing center and continues to combine free access, animal care, education, recreation, and conservation.
- 2023
First electric railroad locomotive unveiled
[1]The zoo introduced an electric C.P. Huntington locomotive as part of its railroad modernization.
- 2021
Primate Canopy Trails opens
[1]A 35,000-square-foot outdoor primate exhibit opened beside the historic Primate House.
- 2017
Centene Grizzly Ridge opens
[1]The zoo opened a modern grizzly-bear habitat replacing its historic bear grottoes.
- 2015
Polar Bear Point opens
[1]A new polar-bear facility opened with habitat and ecosystem interpretation.
- 2010
Living Promise Campaign launched
[1]The zoo began a capital campaign to fund facility improvements and new habitats.
- 1993
Sears Lehmann farm donated
[1]The zoo received a 355-acre property for endangered-species breeding and education.
- 1989
Living World opens
[1]A major education and visitor-services building opened with classrooms, exhibits, a library, and an auditorium.
- 1972
Zoo joins the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District
[1]The zoo gained an ongoing public-tax funding mechanism through the regional cultural district.
- 1963
Emerson Zooline Railroad begins operation
[1]The narrow-gauge railroad became a signature visitor transportation and sightseeing attraction.
- 1921
Bear Pits open
[1]The zoo began a major expansion program with construction of the Bear Pits.
Products and positioning
A civic, conservation-oriented zoological park distinguished by free general admission, major habitat-based exhibits, public education, and participation in regional and international species-conservation work.
Visitor attraction · 1963
Emerson Zooline Railroad
A 2-foot narrow-gauge railway that circles the zoo and stops near major visitor areas. Passenger trains use C.P. Huntington locomotives, with the zoo beginning a transition from diesel power to electric equipment in the 2020s.
Education and visitor center · 1989
Living World
A two-story facility combining classrooms, an auditorium, a teacher-resource center, a reference library, interpretive exhibit halls, visitor services, dining, retail, and offices. It supports the zoo's education and public-engagement mission.
Habitat zone · 1999
River's Edge
A multi-continent habitat area presenting animals and ecosystems associated with North America, Africa, and Asia. Its collection has included elephants, rhinoceroses, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas, sun bears, and other species.
Invertebrate exhibit · 2000
Bayer Insectarium
An insect and invertebrate complex featuring species such as leafcutter ants, walking sticks, beetles, mantises, spiders, tarantulas, and scorpions, together with the Butterfly House.
Bird habitat · 2003
Penguin and Puffin Coast
Indoor and outdoor habitats designed for penguins, puffins, and related cold-climate coastal interpretation.
Polar-bear habitat · 2015
McDonnell Polar Bear Point
A polar-bear facility using varied landscapes and interpretation to connect the animal's care with the Arctic ecosystem and conservation challenges.
Bear habitat · 2017
Centene Grizzly Ridge
A modern grizzly-bear habitat that replaced the zoo's historic bear grottoes and provides a substantially updated setting for animal care and visitor viewing.
Primate habitat · 2021
Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails
A 35,000-square-foot outdoor exhibit connected to the Primate House, designed to provide expanded space and elevated pathways for the zoo's primates.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Living Earth Collaborative
United States
A conservation and research partnership among the Saint Louis Zoo, Washington University in St. Louis, and the Missouri Botanical Garden focused on biodiversity and the protection of natural systems.
Outcome. The collaborative became part of the zoo's continuing research and conservation program.
- 2010The Living Promise Campaign
United States
A capital campaign intended to raise $120 million for new habitats, visitor improvements, and facility renewal. The campaign ultimately exceeded its stated goal and supported projects including Polar Bear Point, Grizzly Ridge, Sea Lion Sound, and upgrades elsewhere on the campus.
Outcome. The campaign exceeded its original target by $14 million, according to the cited reference material.
Brand decisions
2023
Begin transition to electric Zooline Railroad locomotivesStrategyBackground
The zoo's historic visitor railroad continued to rely partly on diesel locomotives, while the institution pursued infrastructure modernization and reduced reliance on diesel equipment.
Action taken
The zoo unveiled its first electric C.P. Huntington locomotive, named Mary Meachum, with plans to replace the remaining diesel locomotives over time.
Aftermath
The electric locomotive entered the railroad's modernization program; the timing for complete fleet replacement was not specified in the supplied material.
- Develop St. Louis Zoo WildCare ParkStrategy
Background
The zoo has proposed a second campus in north St. Louis County to provide very large habitats and support conservation breeding, particularly for endangered ungulates.
Action taken
Plans call for a 425-acre campus with proposed safari rides, an observation tower, glamping, a museum, and habitats for species including giraffes, zebras, antelope, rhinoceroses, camels, and Przewalski's horses.
Aftermath
The supplied material gives a target opening year of 2027; completion and final scope remain subject to development.
Proposed development cost. $230 million (Targeted for the WildCare Park development; opening target 2027)
Sources2 sources
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