Ochsner Park Zoo

Open Year Round

Admission is FREE

The Ochsner Park Zoo is located at the corner of Park Street & Zoo Lane in the City of Baraboo. The zoo first opened in 1926 with 2 bear cubs and 2 deer fawns, and now has over 30 different animal species and sees approximately 40,000 visitors annually.

We are a USDA licensed facility and a member of the Wisconsin Municipal Zoo Associates. 

The majority of our animals are either rehabilitated wildlife that are not able to be released, or rescued from the exotic pet trade.  We also participate in Species Survival Plans (SSP’s), breeding programs that are run by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). 

Feeding of the zoo animals is prohibited other than from the provided grain dispensers.   

Ochsner Park Zoo regularly holds educational talks, events, and enrichment programs.

Ochsner Park Zoo Centennial Celebration

 

Follow us on Facebook for the latest Zoo News and Fun Facts about the animals

 

Behind the Scenes Tours
Are you curious to see how the zoo runs behind the scenes? Here is your chance! Ochsner Park Zoo is offering behind-the-scenes tours. You'll be guided through the zoo with one of the zookeepers. You and your group will be able to get up close and personal with some of the zoo's most popular animals!

Tours consist of a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 6. Tours can be booked Monday-Friday at 1pm or 2pm. Book your tour online HERE or call the Baraboo Parks, Recreation, & Forestry office to arrange your tour at 608-355-2760.

Bear/Lynx Tour: Approximately 20-30 minutes. Get up close and personal with the bear and foxes. Go behind the scenes to see the lynx up close
    City Resident: $15/Person
    Non-Resident: $25/Person

Otter/Education Animals Tour: Approximately 20-30 minutes. Get up close and personal with the otters and go into the zookeeper office to meet all the education animals (reptiles, birds, and guinea pig).
    City Resident: $15/Person
    Non-Resident: $25/Person

Full Tour: Approximately 60 minutes. Go behind the scenes of all those listed above and MORE!
    City Resident: $25/Person
    Non-Resident: $35/Person

 

Birthday Party Package
Birthday Parties are offered everyday at 10:00am-12:00pm

• Hosts may arrive at 9:30am for setup
• Room must be cleaned up no later than 12:30pm

Room capacity 20 people. Party room is located next to the restrooms in the Docent Room

 

Basic Package Includes ($200)

• Birthday party room for up to 20 people - Decorated in advance with woodland animal themed decor, 3 folding tables, 1 table clot, and folding chair provided.
• Feed bag for each child - Offer feed pellets to our goats, pigs, donkeys, and prairie dogs during your party time.
• 2 animal encounters - A zookeeper will bring 2 animals from our education collection right to your party, sharing fun facts about them, and even give you the chance to touch them! Our education animals include snakes, millipedes, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and tortoises.

Add on opportunities include

• Additional animal encounters (max of 2 more)- $20 each
• A special gift for the birthday child $20 - A surprise gift from our animals to you!
• Birthday kid and two others do a Behind the Scenes Encounter with our Bears and Foxes $40 - A zookeeper will lead your encounter, sharing fascinating facts about our bears and foxes while you enjoy the chance to offer them some tasty snacks.
• Create animal enrichment with a zookeeper $30 - A zookeeper will help you create a fun animal enrichment item, and then you'll watch the zookeeper give it to the animals!
• Game package with scavenger hunt, pin the tail on Goliath/George, and identify animal parts $20

Book your party online HERE or call the Baraboo Parks, Recreation, & Forestry office to arrange your party at 608-355-2760. Email kgries@baraboowi.gov with additional questions.

*Birthday parties are not confirmed until approved by the Zoo Manager. Once it is approved, the Zoo Manager will reach out to answer any questions and get your education animal preferences.