Zoo History

Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) was born on January 1, 2023, when Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) merged with Butterfly House & Aquarium (BHA).

SFZA operates two campuses in Sioux Falls. BHA is South Dakota's only tropical butterfly conservatory and public saltwater aquarium. GPZ is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), and is home to animals from seven continents - plus seasonal attractions, including a splash pad, carousel, and train.

SFZA announced a 15-year master plan in 2024, which will kick off with the construction of a new education center, world-class aquarium, reimagined butterfly rainforest, and modern penguin habitat. When the first phase of the master plan is complete, SFZA will consolidate staff, animals, and resources on one campus - the current Great Plains Zoo location. This is the focus of SFZA's current capital campaign.

SFZA's Roots 

Butterfly House & Aquarium started as a Sertoma Butterfly House in 2002, and quickly grew into a must-see Sioux Falls attraction. In 2010, a donation of large hobbyist aquariums changed the trajectory of the organization. Over time, these small aquariums were replaced with larger tanks, interactive elements, and increasingly diverse aquatic ecosystems. 

Currently, visitors can explore Indo-Pacific, Caribbean, and Atlantic coast habitats. In the Under the Dock exhibit, you can see eye to eye with stingrays and nurse sharks. The Eastern Shore Touch Pool is home to horseshoe crabs, spider crabs, sea stars, and more. The Conservatory features lush tropical plant life, hundreds of free-flying butterflies, and a lively pond ecosystem. Guests can meet friends from Ambassador Alley daily at 11 am and 2 pm. 

Great Plains Zoo opened in 1963 to provide education and recreation for the community.

In 1984, the Delbridge Museum of Natural History opened, displaying an extensive collection of taxidermied mounts harvested by a local trophy hunter for 40 years.  

Since 1991, GPZ has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This feat, reached by fewer than ten percent of animal exhibitors licensed by the USDA, means GPZ upholds the highest standards for animal care and wellbeing.  

GPZ has continued to renovate several of the older exhibits, while creating new attractions. In 2024, the zoo opened a new splash pad, an African lion exhibit, and a new, accessible year-round bathroom facility in the center of the campus. 

Other notable habitats include Asian Cats, Rare Rhinos of Africa, the award-winning snow monkey exhibit, and Fortress of the Bears. 

SFZA is a regional education leader, with robust program offerings for learners of all ages. 57,000 people participated in SFZA education programs in 2024.

Learn more about SFZA's recent past and future plans: SFZA 2024 Year In Review