Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Garden saw a record-breaking 229,278 guests in 2025. Photo by JDUPONT8, Wikimedia Commons.
News Release
EVANSVILLE — Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Garden saw 229,278 guests in 2025. The record-breaking year reflects increased community engagement, successful seasonal programming, and continued investment in guest experience, animal care, and conservation efforts.
“This has been an extraordinary year for the Zoo,” said Erik Beck, Executive Director of Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. “Record attendance demonstrates the strong connection our community has with the Zoo and the value it places on accessible family experiences, education, and conservation while driving tourism and economic impact for the tri-state.”
Attendance growth was driven in part by the launch of Wild Summer Lights, a new evening lantern festival that ran from mid-August through the first weekend in October.
Presented by Liberty Federal Credit Union, the event sold 50,000 tickets and drew strong crowds during traditionally slower late-summer and early-fall months.
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden continues to serve as an economic driver for the region by supporting jobs, tourism, and local businesses.
“We are building momentum,” Beck said. “As we look ahead, we remain focused on enhancing animal habitats, expanding educational opportunities, and creating meaningful experiences that serve both our guests and our conservation mission.”