Idaho Falls Zoo broke attendance record for second year in a row

For the second consecutive year, the Idaho Falls Zoo had a record-breaking attendance season.

The 2016-17 total fiscal year (Oct. 2016-Sept. 2017) attendance was 158,534, beating the 2015-16 total fiscal year attendance of 132,615 by 25,919 visitors.

The numbers include records broken during the Boo at the Zoo event as well as record attendance in May, June, July and August 2017.

Zoo Director David Pennock credits the increase to the new babies.

“All the new babies definitely were a big draw,” said Pennock. “With more babies born at the zoo in a single year than ever before, particularly high-profile babies like lions and sloth bears, they really stole the show.”

Officials also credit the increase to an amped-up Facebook page and a new zoo Instagram page and YouTube Channel.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of all the zoo staff and volunteers who helped this season,” said Operations Manager Linda Beard. “The team repeatedly stepped up to the challenge and turned it into an incredible success story.”