Detroit Zoo Had Over 1.5 Million Visitors in 2017

The Detroit Zoo reported its second-highest attendance this week. Reports released by the zoo say that in 2017, the Royal-Oak based attraction logged some 1,560,981 guests. The zoo singled out its Wild Lights holiday display for drawing 151,202 guests alone.

“A spectacular Wild Lights display and continued improvements in operations and facilities are contributing factors to our robust numbers,” said Ron Kagan, Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) executive director and CEO. “We are grateful to the community for supporting their zoo and look forward to providing more outstanding experiences in 2018 as we celebrate our 90th year.”

2016 saw the zoo’s highest attendance numbers with 1,698,053. Zoo officials say this uptick came from guests interested in the newly-opened Polk Penguin Conservation Center. The zoo also announced that Dinosauria will return this summer. A display featuring over 40 animatronic dinosaurs proved a popular draw last year.

According to a statement, the zoo also has plans to renovate and expand three exhibits: the giraffe habitat, the Devereux Tiger Forest and the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Red Panda Forest The zoo expects this work to be finished in 2018, and also planes to unveil a new habitat for Japanese giant salamanders. The zoo will also add a 4,434-square-foot Buddy’s Pizza restaurant this spring. The new restaurant will have a 155-seat capacity, including 75 tables outdoors on both a patio and a rooftop deck, with views of Rackham Fountain.