Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, opened in 1876, sixteen years after the historic Park itself was bought and made available to the general population of the city.

When the zoo encountered financial difficulties in 2004, it had to temporarily restrict the quantity of its collection by closing portions of the zoo. Due to its age and inability to accommodate animals safely with its earlier form of iron-barred cages and stone walls, the original Main Valley was closed. In addition, the Reptile House, which is situated some distance from the main zoo in an adjacent portion of the Park, was closed. The reptiles were sent to other zoos and aquariums together with gibbons, tigers, and snow leopards.

The zoo restored the original Main Valley to visitors on September 28, 2021, as a walking path that highlights the zoo's history and a number of important historical sites. "While there are still some bird species living in the Crane Barn, which has been updated over the years, there are no animals in the old exhibits and cages as they are hopelessly out of date and non-functional. Animals will not be returning to the out-of-date cages, but we have launched a planning process to consider ways to accommodate the return of animals to Main Valley at some point in the future", said Kirby Fowler, President, and CEO of the Maryland Zoo.

Year Opened: 1876
Location: Baltimore, Maryland