Sedgwick County Zoo Sees Record Attendance in 2025

Zoo prepares for new elephant barn opening as it weathers weather-related expenses

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas welcomed 702,401 visitors in 2025, marking the second-highest attendance in the facility's history. The zoo's CEO credited favorable weather conditions and strong performance of the Wild Lights holiday display for the record-breaking year. Construction of a new $10 million elephant barn expansion remains on schedule for a May opening, though the zoo faced significant unplanned expenses in 2025 due to severe weather events, including storm damage that forced the closure of the Cessna Penguin Cove exhibit.

Why it matters

The Sedgwick County Zoo is a major tourist attraction and economic driver for the Wichita region. Record attendance numbers demonstrate the zoo's continued popularity and ability to draw visitors, even as it navigates challenges like severe weather. The new elephant exhibit expansion is also a significant investment that will help the zoo enhance its offerings and remain competitive with other regional zoos.

The details

In 2025, the Sedgwick County Zoo welcomed 702,401 visitors, the second-highest attendance in its history. CEO Scott Newland credited December's favorable weather conditions for helping push attendance past the 700,000 mark. The zoo's Wild Lights holiday display also performed well, drawing 89,410 visitors for the second-strongest year on record. The Sunflower Summer Program brought 28,380 visitors to the zoo in 2025. Construction of the $10 million elephant barn expansion remains on schedule, with an opening planned for May. However, the zoo faced significant unplanned expenses in 2025 due to severe weather events, including a winter storm that caused $385,000 in damage to the Cessna Penguin Cove exhibit and a September hailstorm that damaged over 70 roof systems across the zoo property.

  • In 2025, the Sedgwick County Zoo welcomed 702,401 visitors.
  • The zoo's Wild Lights holiday display drew 89,410 visitors in 2025.
  • The Sunflower Summer Program brought 28,380 visitors to the zoo in 2025.
  • Construction of the $10 million elephant barn expansion is scheduled to open in May.
  • A winter storm in 2025 caused $385,000 in damage to the Cessna Penguin Cove exhibit.

The players

Sedgwick County Zoo

A major zoo located in Wichita, Kansas that welcomed over 700,000 visitors in 2025, marking the second-highest attendance in its history.

Scott Newland

The CEO of the Sedgwick County Zoo who provided the annual update on the zoo's attendance and operations.

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What they’re saying

“In 2025, the Sedgwick County Zoo welcomed 702,401 visitors, marking the second-highest attendance in the facility's history.”

— Scott Newland, CEO, Sedgwick County Zoo (kwch.com)

What’s next

The new $10 million elephant barn expansion at the Sedgwick County Zoo is scheduled to open in May 2026.

The takeaway

The Sedgwick County Zoo's record-breaking attendance in 2025 demonstrates its continued popularity and importance as a major tourist attraction in the Wichita region. Despite facing weather-related challenges and expenses, the zoo is moving forward with significant investments like the new elephant exhibit expansion that will help it remain competitive and enhance the visitor experience.