Henry Doorly Zoo

• Address: 3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107 (Map)
• Phone number: (402) 733-8401
• Email Address: info@omahazoo.com
• Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Date Founded: 1894
• Accreditation: Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited
• Number of Animals: Over 17,000
• Number of Species: Over 962
• Park Size: 130 acres
• Website Link: www.omahazoo.com

The Henry Doorly Zoo has a fascinating history that spans more than a century.

The zoo’s story began in 1894 when the Antelope Park Zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska, moved to Omaha and was renamed the Riverview Park Zoo. The zoo started as a small, private collection of animals, but over time it grew and expanded, thanks in large part to the support of local philanthropists.

In 1963, Margaret Hitchcock Doorly provided the zoo with a $750,000 donation provided that the zoo be renamed in honor of her late husband, Henry Doorly.

The zoo has continued to grow and evolve, becoming one of the world’s premier zoos. The zoo’s current size is 130 acres, and it is home to over 17,000 animals representing more than 962 species. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which is a testament to its commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and education.

Over the years, the Henry Doorly Zoo has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including being named the best zoo in the world by TripAdvisor in 2014, 2015, and 2017. The zoo is also a leader in conservation efforts, with programs dedicated to saving endangered species like the black rhinoceros and the snow leopard.

The Henry Doorly Zoo is a beloved institution in Omaha and a must-visit destination for anyone interested in wildlife, conservation, and education.

• The Henry Doorly Zoo is home to the largest indoor desert in the world, the Desert Dome.
• The zoo has one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests, the Lied Jungle.
• Visitors can walk through a shark tunnel in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium.
• The zoo’s Butterfly and Insect Pavilion features over 80 species of butterflies and moths.
• The zoo has a Skyfari aerial tram that takes visitors above the zoo for a unique perspective.
• Visitors can ride a train around the zoo.
• The zoo has a herd of elephants that visitors can observe up close.
• The zoo is home to the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit, the Kingdoms of the Night.
• The zoo’s Hubbard Gorilla Valley features a family group of western lowland gorillas.
• The zoo has a children’s zoo where kids can pet and feed farm animals.

• The zoo’s aquarium is home to a giant octopus that is over 9 feet long and weighs over 90 pounds.
• The zoo’s Desert Dome is so large that it could fit the entire Statue of Liberty inside.
• The zoo has a Madagascar exhibit that features lemurs, fossas, and other unique animals.
• The zoo’s Expedition Madagascar exhibit allows visitors to explore a recreated Madagascar rainforest.
• The zoo’s cat complex features several species of big cats, including lions, tigers, and snow leopards.
• The zoo has a stingray touch pool where visitors can touch and feed live stingrays.
• The zoo’s Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium has a coral reef exhibit that is home to over 1,000 coral colonies.
• The zoo’s Hubbard Gorilla Valley has a glass viewing area that allows visitors to see the gorillas up close.
• The zoo’s Butterfly and Insect Pavilion features a leaf-cutter ant colony that visitors can observe at work.
• The zoo has a conservation breeding program for endangered animals, including cheetahs and red pandas.

• The zoo has a baby nursery where visitors can see baby animals being cared for.
• The Lied Jungle is a giant indoor rainforest that is so big it could fit three Olympic-sized swimming pools inside!
• The zoo’s Desert Dome has a real sand dune that is over 30 feet tall.
• The zoo has a “cat complex” where you can see big cats like lions, tigers, and leopards.
• The zoo’s aquarium has a giant octopus that is over 9 feet long and weighs over 90 pounds!
• The zoo’s Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium has a touch pool where you can touch and feed live stingrays.
• The zoo’s children’s zoo has a petting area where you can pet and feed farm animals like goats and sheep.
• The zoo has a train that goes all around the park and is a fun way to see everything.
• The zoo has a camel ride where you can ride on a real camel!
• The zoo’s Butterfly and Insect Pavilion has a leaf-cutter ant colony that is always busy at work.