Located in Central Riverside Park at 700 Nims, the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit contains over 20 different species of native mammals, reptiles and birds in eight cages.  The cages have a modern, naturalistic design which ensures the health and comfort of the animals, but it also requires the visitor to look carefully in order to see the inhabitants!  Opened in 1988, it continues a long tradition of zoos at that location.  There has been a zoo in one form or another on the site since 1901.  Many of the animals kept at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit are used by the staff at the Great Plains Nature Center in programming.  Thousands of children and adults who might otherwise never get the chance have seen these animals up close through such programs and by viewing them at the exhibit.

The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit is centrally located about a mile northwest of downtown Wichita.  There is no admission fee and it is open year-round.

Here is a listing of the resident species as of May 28, 2015, beginning in the southwest cage and proceeding counterclockwise around the KWE.  This list is subject to change at any time.

While the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit is a free facility, maintained by the City of Wichita Department of Park and Recreation, it currently has significant renovation needs that you can help with! 

Click here to download a brochure describing how you can become a "Supporter of Kansas Wildlife" or call 316-683-5499 to get one mailed to you.  (Note: this file is is in Acrobat Reader format (.pdf).  If you do not already have the software to use these files, you may get it for free from Adobe.)

Donations in support of the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit are received by
the Wichita Parks Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization. 
All contributions are tax deductible.

Photo by Bob Gress

Questions or comments?  Send Email to Jim Mason
Or write us at: 
Great Plains Nature Center
6232 E. 29th Street North
Wichita, KS 67220-2200             Call:  316-683-5499            Fax:  316-688-9555