1001 North Park Dr.
Wilmington, DE 19802
(302) 571-7747 • 571-7850 Education
http://www.brandywinezoo.org/
Originally known as the Wilmington Zoo, and Delaware's only zoo, the Brandywine was founded in 1905. The name changed when the 180-acre Brandywine park was transferred to the New Castle County Dept. of Parks and Recreation.
The Zoo itself occupies twelve acres overlooking Brandywine Creek in one of the state's most beautiful areas. It is home to about 120 animals of some 56 species, and each year 80,000 people enjoy seeing them.
Dedicated to conservation and education, the Zoo features a number of great programs for both families and groups, as well as a variety of membership and volunteer opportunities that allow people to contribute to the expansion of the zoo and the well-being of the animals.
Visitors will encounter about seventeen different exhibit areas showing the inhabitants: rheas, llamas, capybara, otters, foxes, coati, sloth, Siberian tigers, other big cats, a variety of birds, and exotic animals. There are also areas for special exhibits which change with the seasons.
The Brandywine Zoo is the place for family programs. There is something going on every weekend for preschoolers and up -- activities that parents will enjoy, too. ZooCamp is a day camp consisting of four week-long sessions for children ages seven through twelve. Call the Education number for details.
School Groups have a great resource for fun and education in the Zoo. Discovery Tours are adaptable for grades 1 one through 6. Each two-hour program can accommodate from 15 to 60 students. Animal Wrappers explores the different animal coverings -- feathers, scales, and fur. Children learn about camouflage, fur patterns, and adaptations. Understanding Zoos looks at how zoos operate. Children design animal exhibits. Tropical Rainforests is an imaginary trip to South America, with its unique plants, animals, and people. Wildlife Conservation introduces students to our rapidly disappearing species and some solutions to this problem. Animal Behavior is an in-depth study of the animals. Children become animal behavioral scientists.
Traveling Zoo programs are also available, as are Zoo Loan Kits.
If Delaware has only one zoo, it's got a good one. And its growing! Plans for the future include the construction of a flight cage for its rare mating pair of Andean condors. A new education building is in the works, as well as some new landscaping for Monkey Hill.
Hours: Open every day, 10am - 4pm.
Admission: Adults $5.00, Seniors $4.00, Children 3 - 11 $3.00. From October thru May: Adults $4.00, Seniors $2.00, Children 3 - 11 $2.00.
Family programs range in cost from FREE with Zoo
admission to an additional $7.00 or so. Group rates are
available. Please call.
Reservations: 4 weeks for groups. Family programs should also be reserved about 2 weeks ahead.
Lunch: Refreshments served. Picnic area available.
Handicapped: Accessible.
Directions: I-95 South to Wilmington. Exit for Rt. 202 South (Concord Pike). Go about ¼ mile and bear right onto Baynard Blvd. Go about ½ mile to North Park Dr. and turn right.
Time: 30 - 60 minutes south of Philly.
Nearby: Delaware Center for Contemporary Art , Delaware Children's Museum , Delaware Art Museum .