Fire Ant Treatment Will Close Pana’ewa Zoo

The Department of Parks and Recreation will close the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens temporarily on Thursday, Dec. 18 for fire ant treatment at the facility.

Starting Friday, Dec. 19, the zoo’s normal operating hours, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., will resume.

Zoo patrons and the general public are thanked by the County P&R Department for their patience and understanding during the attempt to control the invasive fire ants in the public parks.

The Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens is located off of Stainback Highway, five miles south of Hilo. The zoo is situated of 12 acres of land and is the only natural tropical rainforest zoo in the United States. More than 80 animal species and 100 palm varieties can be found at the zoo. Admission is free.