FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – 2025 brought a lot of new experiences and new animals to Fort Wayne Zoo, and Wild on WANE brought you exclusive behind-the-scenes access to all the big events and milestones along the way.
As the year comes to a close, zoo director Rick Schuiteman reflects on his top moments of the year. And perhaps it’s a fitting coincidence that this story is also the 100th Wild on WANE.
Big Birthday
“We started the year celebrating our 60th birthday. We had a birthday cake, and kids got to cut the cake and eat the cake, and we kicked off in that celebratory mode, and it’s gone so fast I can’t believe how fast the season has gone.”
Glo Wild
“The idea was, as a part of our 60th birthday, we wanted to have 60 lanterns around the zoo. They were too cool. We couldn’t stop at 60. So we had well over 100 lanterns in the zoo. They were so beautiful. So definitely one of my favorites, and I loved the community. Came out those last few weeks, we were sold out. So many people wanted to come and see these beautiful lanterns. So we’re going to do it again in 2026.
Coastal Cove Opens
“The other big moment of the year was years in the making. When I first moved to Fort Wayne, I said I really would love to see sea lions and seals in the same habitat, because it’s a great educational message. People always confused about which species is which. Let’s put them together, and it took years to get it done. But finally, the opening of coastal Cove, with our pinneped friends was super exciting and I’m proud of that exhibit.”
New Faces at the Zoo
“There are a lot of new friends at the zoo this year. We celebrated a chick named Sunny, our Wattled Crane. She’s so adorable. Kiume, our male lion, we started the season off with him. He’s fantastic. Over at Coastal Cove, Bubba and Ronan joined us as well. And then on the Veldt, we had Norman the bontebok. So a lot of new friends and faces this year.
Wild Lights
“One of my other favorites, of course, is ending the season with Wild Lights. We haven’t had a nighttime holiday event at the zoo for decades, and so this is our chance to partner with Fantasy of Lights, the Blue Jacket team, and do an incredible light festival at the zoo. So almost a million lights at the zoo. What a beautiful, beautiful zoo at night with all those lights. So, I’m really proud of that event, and Fort Wayne came out and enjoyed it with us.
100 Wild on WANE stories
Last but not least, my other favorite, we celebrated 100 Wild on WANEs. There have been so many great stories to tell. I’ve enjoyed the ones that I’m in, of course, they’re so much fun, but there have been so many without me, and it’s fun to watch the staff and the team talk about their passion and the animals and all the cool things we’re doing at the zoo. So many great stories. And I can’t believe it’s been 100.”
Rick says 2026 will also bring a lot of fun surprises…