Oaklawn Farm Zoo confirmed on Tuesday they will be closing permanently. Photo Oaklawn Farm Zoo/Facebook.
In a Facebook announcement on Tuesday, Oaklawn Zoo officially confirmed the circulating rumors within the community: the zoo will not be reopening for the 2024 season.
The post expressed gratitude, with owners Ron and Gail Rogerson stating, “We would like to extend our sincere thanks for your kindness and support over the past 40-plus years. As we enter our declining years, we appreciate your respect for our privacy and wish you all the best in ’24’.”
The owners are asking for privacy following the announcement and were unavailable for comment.
Oaklawn Zoo, known for its diverse collection of farm animals, local wildlife, and exotic species such as lions, zebras, lemurs, and pythons, had a mission to “connect people with animals and inspire a deeper appreciation for wildlife and nature,” according to its website.
Founded in the early 1970s, the zoo’s origins trace back to a farm in the Annapolis Valley. Starting with standard farm animals and a few exotics. The Rogersons expanded their offerings over the years.
With a growing variety of animals, Oaklawn Zoo officially opened as a public zoo in 1984.
Since that time it’s welcomed thousands of visitors, hosted hundreds of school trips, assisted with research endeavors and much more. The post confirming the closure on social media has since been shared close to 5,000 times and there are over 1,000 comments from people sharing memories of their times at the zoo.
The social media post also explained that “arrangements have been made at responsible facilities for the animals seeking new homes”.
