Palm Beach Zoo

The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is a nonprofit zoological institution at Dreher Park, 1301 Summit Boulevard, in West Palm Beach, Florida. It's home to hundreds of animals, many endangered, spread across 23 acres of lush tropical habitat. The zoo's mission centers on inspiring people to take action for wildlife and the natural world through endangered species breeding programs, education, and support of conservation work. What started as a simple barnyard collection in the early 1960s has become one of Palm Beach County's most important cultural and recreational spots, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and running conservation programs across multiple continents.

History and Origins

Dreher Park wasn't always what it is today. The land that now hosts the zoo was once Bacon Park, used as a landfill and a tent city campground destroyed during the 1928 hurricane. One man's vision transformed this neglected area into a thriving wildlife destination.

Paul Albert Dreher arrived from Württemberg, Germany, already passionate about landscaping. He earned a degree in horticulture from the University of Hohen-Heim, then headed to South Florida. Starting with the Parks Department for West Palm Beach in 1932, Dreher shaped the future zoo site through sheer determination. In 1951, the city bought Bacon Park from the state for $100. Six years later, in October 1957, it was dedicated and renamed Dreher Park in his honor. Dreher supervised the transformation personally: removing the landfill and filling swampland with backfill from the Palm Beach Canal. He wanted a zoo here. A zoo for the people of West Palm Beach.

August 1961 brought the announcement that Dreher Park would finally have one. Construction started on a red barn with a fenced barnyard. Using his own money, Dreher stocked it with ducks, chickens, rabbits, and a single goat named Pepita. The "Dreher Park Farm Zoo," later shortened to "Dreher Park Zoo," got its first exotic animal when the Pilicy family donated a rhinoceros iguana on September 5, 1963.

Joey the Kangaroo and Early Growth

Every zoo's early days have their colorful stories. This one belonged to a kangaroo named Joey. An airline pilot passing through Australia spotted a kangaroo for sale, bought it, and flew it back to Florida. Unable to keep the animal long-term, he gave Joey to his friend Walter Brooks III. Joey became famous for escaping repeatedly from Brooks's home, making South Florida residents take notice. Two issues of Life Magazine featured him in October 1961 and April 1964. The Boy Scouts of America named him an honorary member. Visitors flocked to see Joey at Brooks's house. Caroline Kennedy was among them.

December 1961 changed things. Attorney Elwyn Middleton sent Brooks a letter opposing Joey's ownership. This sparked a Palm Beach ordinance banning all pets except cats, dogs, canaries, parrots, and parakeets. Two years of legal fighting followed. In the end, Joey couldn't stay as a house pet. On February 29, 1964, he moved to Dreher Park Zoo, where he lived out his days as a resident.

The Elephant Toppie and First Animal Births

Early 1960s South Florida was captivated by "Jett's Petting Zoo" and its Asian baby elephant. The local zoo had Joey, but the rest of the animal collection was scattered and ordinary. It lacked any real draw. So residents campaigned for the zoo to buy the elephant. The West Palm Beach Firemen's Benevolent Association took on the challenge, collecting 1,000 books of Top Value Trading Stamps. The stamps' mascot was a cartoon elephant named Toppie, making the name perfect for the newly acquired animal.

That same year brought something equally momentous. On May 19, 1965, a squirrel monkey gave birth. Zoo staff had expected the first birth to come from a pregnant miniature goat, but nature surprised them. Later that afternoon, white-fronted capuchin Clarabelle gave birth too. Then on June 1, Nanny Belle's baby arrived, completing the first trio of zoo births.

The Zoological Society and Name Change

By 1969, West Palm Beach residents wanted to do more for the zoo. They formed The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches on March 27, 1969, with city backing. On October 1st that year, the city handed operation of the zoo to the society. Fast forward to 2014. The organization changed its name to the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society to better reflect what it actually does.

Exhibits and Animal Collection

The Palm Beach Zoo sits in the heart of West Palm Beach as a lush, walkable wildlife destination. Over 23 tropical acres, visitors encounter immersive habitats, shaded pathways, and a carousel, interactive fountain, and nature-inspired play areas. Close encounters with jaguars, tigers, panthers, sloths, and koalas are possible. Daily animal talks, interactive encounters, and seasonal events keep coming back.

Tropics of the Americas

2004 brought an $18 million exhibit called the "George and Harriett Cornell Tropics of the Americas." It showcases jaguars, giant anteaters, capybara, New World monkeys, and tropical birds across three acres on a peninsula. Two Mayan pyramids over 40 feet tall anchor the display, along with a walk-through cave and other installations representing Central and South American wildlife and culture. Animal Planet filmed the exhibit for Ultimate Zoo in 2006.

Tiger Habitat

The Henry and Charlotte Kimelman Tiger Falls opened in 2000. Malayan tigers "Mata" and "Rimba" arrived from the San Diego Zoo on November 8, 2006. "Berapi," another Malayan tiger, came in November 2010. Berapi gave birth to three cubs fathered by Rimba on May 12, 2011. The cubs "Jaya," "Bunga," and "Penari" were moved to Jacksonville Zoo on October 28, 2013. March 2015 saw the opening of "Tiger River," an additional habitat yard for the existing Kimelman Tiger Habitat.

Other Exhibits

A new ocelot habitat opened January 15, 2018, sponsored by Carole and John Moran. Three ocelots roam the space. The zoo also maintains a Florida Wetlands section recreating a cypress swamp, plus an Islands section with species from around the world. Wildlife carousel rides, interactive play fountains, and more than 60 keeper talks and wildlife presentations per week let visitors connect with animals and staff.

Conservation Programs

The zoo's work extends far beyond West Palm Beach. It advances its mission to inspire action for wildlife through endangered species breeding, education, and conservation support. Monetary grants fund other conservation organizations doing field work.

Partnerships span major institutions: the Southeastern Disease Cooperative at the University of Georgia, the Brookfield Zoo, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Contraception Center, the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC), the Brevard Zoo, the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida State Parks Service, the Palm Beach County Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and Madidi National Park. The zoo was the first to partner with the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Working with Madidi National Park in Bolivia and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the zoo funds and staffs conservation work in roughly 18,900 square kilometers of protected area. Jaguars, black-faced spider monkeys, lowland tapir, giant river otters, Andean bears, Andean condors, and other wildlife benefit. The zoo also backs Wildlife Conservation Society efforts to strengthen anti-poaching laws in Malaysia protecting tigers and their habitats.

Support for the Avian Research & Conservation Institute's swallow-tail kite and snail kite program comes directly from the zoo. So does backing for the Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center's jaguar conservation work. Staff members engage locally too, partnering with Palm Beach County's Department of Environmental Protection on swallow-tail kite programs and monitoring coral off Florida's east coast with the Florida Wildlife Commission.

Animal Care Facilities

The Melvin J. & Claire Levine Animal Care Complex serves as headquarters for the Palm Beach Zoo Conservation Society. The Green Building Council awarded it Gold Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Education

The Education Department runs multiple programs for kids aged 3 to 18. They learn about conservation and its importance while enjoying hands-on experiences. Zoo Camp, Overnight Adventures, the Ed Morse ZooMobile, and programs for schools, scout troops, and community groups offer real involvement in conservation projects.

The zoo cares for over 500 animals of 190 species, many endangered. It's fully accredited and geared toward inspiring its more than 360,000 annual visitors.

Membership and Accreditation

Located at 1301 Summit Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405, the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It relies on community support to continue providing animal care and saving wildlife in their natural habitats. The organization holds membership in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The zoo opens daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. About 4 miles southwest of downtown, it offers multiple animal exhibits with interactive experiences involving koalas, sloths, and panthers. Special events like Zoo Lights happen throughout the year.