Members Only
Welcome to our Members Only page and thank you for being a part of our zoo family.
Visit the membership page to review levels, renew or buy a membership as a gift.
Monthly Member Events:
We have monthly events for members and their guests who are covered by their membership. Here are the events remaining in 2025:
Mon. Nov. 17: Members-only Zoosgiving, 4-6pm.
Sun. Dec. 21: Christmas for the Animals plus free member Zoo Lights, 10am-8pm.
We have all zoo events for the remainder of 2025 listed on our calendar page, so be sure to check that out. Don’t miss Zoo Boo, the opening of Zoo Lights, the annual CyberMonday Zoo Lights Sale, Giving Tuesday and all of our December events. We will have 2026 listed soon.
Zoo Boo: Here is What’s Happening!
Important Note for Members: You need to log into your membership account before you access the Zoo Boo page. If you do this and your membership is current, the discounted price for Zoo Boo will automatically appear in your checkout. This is the step required to receive the member discount. Just log in first and be sure your membership is current!
Sat. Oct. 25: Zoo Boo Trick-or-Treat Event and pumpkin showcase, 10am-6pm
Tickets will be sold both online and at the gate, but we recommend buying online.
For online, you select the timeframe you plan to enter and prices are lower - $25 age 3+ (non-members), $15 age 3+ (zoo members). Timeframe choices are 10am-12pm, 12pm-2pm, 2pm-4pm or 4pm-6pm. Click here to buy.
For gate, this option allows you to squeeze a Zoo Boo trip into your busy Saturday. Gate tickets are limited and more expensive at $28/person for age 3+, with no member discount at the gate.
Ages 2 and under are always free at the zoo.
Members only get a discount online for this event. Log into your membership account, then start the checkout process. The adjusted price will show in the final stages of checkout.
We reserve the right to cut off walk-up sales at the gate at full capacity. Buying tickets online is the safest and cheapest way to go!
Zoo Insider News:
Updated 10/22/2025
Animal News:
Zoo management made the decision to open Zoo Boo sales to the gate as well. The tickets were online only, and online tickets are still the only way to access your member discount:
Sat. Oct. 25: Zoo Boo Trick-or-Treat Event and pumpkin contest, 10am-6pm
Tickets will be sold both online and at the gate, but we recommend buying online.
For online, you select the timeframe you plan to enter and prices are lower - $25 age 3+ (non-members), $15 age 3+ (zoo members). Timeframe choices are 10am-12pm, 12pm-2pm, 2pm-4pm or 4pm-6pm. Click here to buy.
For gate, this option allows you to squeeze a Zoo Boo trip into your busy Saturday. Gate tickets are limited and more expensive at $28/person for age 3+, with no member discount at the gate.
Ages 2 and under are always free at the zoo.
Members only get a discount online for this event. Log into your membership account, then start the checkout process. The adjusted price will show in the final stages of checkout.
We reserve the right to cut off walk-up sales at full capacity. Buying tickets online is the safest and cheapest way to go!
Western Alaska Donation and Pre-carved Pumpkin drop off is at the zoo admissions gate this week, October 20-24, from 10am-5pm each day. Scroll up on this page to see the graphic of what donation items are needed. We also have a graphic showing details for the pumpkins and Zoo Boo. Thank you for your support!
The zoo will be announcing today (10/14/25) the sad news of the passing of Grubby, who staff had internally renamed to Ophelia. Grubby was the opossum who stowed away north and arrived in Homer in 2023. She was brought to the zoo, as were her babies (joeys) who were discovered and caught around Homer. She passed peacefully at the old opossum age of 3.5 years on Saturday the 11th. The average wild life span of this species is 1-2 years. Her species is invasive in Alaska, so she had a second chance at life thanks to the big hearts of zoo staff. She will be greatly missed by all of us. Click here to read the full story in our press release.
Taiga the brown bear (formerly Kitty) is now living her daily life with zoo bears Izzy and Oreo. She came to us this summer from a closing facility and we had her living separately all summer due to her health needs. We are very happy to see all three brown bears living together now.
It will be hibernation time soon for zoo black and brown bears. Keepers have noticed that black bears Zayk and PW are getting a little slower and a little cranky. Plan a visit to see them soon before it’s lights out for the winter for them!
Male wolverine Jumbo was recently neutered. He and his mate Olga have had a couple of litters of kits, so their genes are well represented in the captive wolverine population. Jumbo is now in retirement from fatherhood!
The muskox calf that came in as an orphan in May 2025 is now living with Maya and Sarah Elizabeth. Her name is now Shelley Bean, named from the Champions of the Wild gala.
We still have polar bear and tiger encounters available if you are interested in reserving one. Click here to visit the page.
Education News:
Wildlife Wednesdays FREE Science Lecture season has kicked off for another winter series. Join us on the second Wednesday each month (Oct-Apr, minus Dec) for a free lecture on a wildlife topic in Alaska. See our page for the schedule and topics.
Mark your calendar for the first week of January - Summer Adventure Camps will open that week! They sell out very quickly and the top choices go fast, so be sure to keep tabs on it. We will send members a reminder.
We have homeschool field trip programs and Zoo Snooze overnights (with and without Zoo Lights). Be sure to check these programs out. Storytime is also still happening each week on Wednesdays at 10:30am in the Gateway Hall, sponsored by ConocoPhillips Alaska.