The Akron Zoo has set a new single day attendance record.
The milestone was broken on April 8 when some 7,400 guests passed through the gates.
The zoo was offering free admission as part of Wear Blue Day to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The previous record was set on Mother’s Day in 2025 when the zoo debuted its DinoTrek exhibit.
The popular attraction that features animatronic dinosaurs scattered throughout the zoo is set to return again this year at the zoo from May 16 to Sept. 8.
The zoo has experienced an uptick of guests in the last week or so since its new mountain lion cubs named Ozette and Neah (nee-ah) have made their public debut.
The cubs, who are estimated to be about 7 months old, made their way to Akron after they were rescued in the Olympic Peninsula by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife after being found abandoned.
The pair can be found exploring their habit not far from the zoo entrance that used to be home to the jaguar.
Zoo officials say they their time in the outdoor habitat − typically right after the zoo opens − is being limited each day as they get used to the new digs.
The Akron Zoo has just switched over to its summer hours that are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
For more, visit akronzoo.org.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zoo sets new attendance record with free admission day
Reporting by Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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