Wright Park Zoo in Dodge City to Close

The Wright Park Zoo will be closing to the public until further notice, starting Sunday, September 18 at 5:00pm. Zoo staff is currently working to find temporary and sanctuary homes that will provide nurturing and safe facilities for the animals.

Shakira, our Siberian tiger, is one of the animals that will be permanently rehomed later in September to the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary. Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary (The Scott Foundation) is a Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) Verified 501(c)3 nonprofit big cat rescue and educational facility. As a true sanctuary, they do not buy, sell, breed or trade any of their animals.

The City Commission will be considering the future direction of the Zoo as part of the 2023 budget planning process. The City budget will be approved at a special meeting on Monday, September 26 at 7:00pm.

The City was ready to kick off the “Redo the Zoo” Masterplan just prior to the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic which resulted in a lengthy set back. The anticipated cost for the multi-phase project was $4.4 million of which the City Commission originally considered committing $2 million. Currently, staff is evaluating options for the plan and working to secure public/private partnerships to assist with funding or in-kind donations for the project.

The Wright Park Zoo Master Plan can be viewed at https://www.dodgecity.org/106/Wright-Park-Zoo.