The Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park is celebrating its 40-year anniversary this September, marking its evolution from a 30-acre facility to a 100-acre attraction.
Founded by Mickey Ollson, …
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Need to set up your free e-Newspaper all-access account? click here.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
Events
Wildlife World Zoo celebrates anniversary
Submitted photo/Wildlife World Zoo
September marks 40 years since the opening of Wildlife World Zoo.
Posted
The Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park is celebrating its 40-year anniversary this September, marking its evolution from a 30-acre facility to a 100-acre attraction.
Founded by Mickey Ollson, the zoo has expanded significantly since opening to the public in 1984. Originally a breeding operation for exotic birds and small animals, Wildlife World Zoo now features 600 species and approximately 6,000 animals. The staff has also grown from four employees to 135.
Ollson’s interest in animals began in his childhood and continued throughout his career. After graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in business and a minor in journalism, Ollson taught junior high for 20 years while managing his growing collection of exotic animals.
By 1973, he had acquired 30 acres of land, which became Wildlife World Zoo when it opened in 1984. Ollson was involved in many aspects of the zoo’s development, including construction and landscaping. He introduced features such as an indoor aquarium in 2009 and a $4 million expansion in 2016, which included a restaurant and amusement rides.
Ollson passed away in January 2022, but his family continues to manage the zoo.
To mark the anniversary, the zoo is offering a special promotion for September. Visitors who sign up for text alerts can receive adult admission at a discounted price.