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Water main break temporarily closes Pittsburgh Zoo


Wild Illuminations and Donation Day were affected
Megan Trotter
By Megan Trotter
2 Min Read Dec. 29, 2025 | 15 hours Ago
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A water main break has disrupted several events at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.

The zoo shut down for repairs Monday around 12:30 p.m., according to its website.

That forced the closure of Wild Illuminations, its annual holiday lantern experience, according to Michael Schroeder, a zoo spokesman.

Wild Illuminations, which runs from Nov. 22 through Jan. 11, is expected to resume Tuesday night, the website said.

It will be closed to visitors on New Year’s Day.

Schroeder was unable to predict how long repair work will last, but he said officials “aren’t anticipating anything crazy.”

A message left with Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works requesting comment was not returned.

The water main break happened along One Wild Place, which stretches a little over a mile and runs throughout the zoo’s property, connecting with the main parking lot along Baker Street.

Donation Day, held by the zoo in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, was scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

The event — which allows guests one free general daytime admission in exchange for each donation of an accepted non-perishable item — was postponed due to the break and anticipated colder temperatures.

A new date for Donation Day had not been posed online as of Monday evening.

The zoo’s three day Winter Mini Camp for kids ages 5 to 9 will continue as scheduled, Schroeder said.

Schroeder said that guests should check PittsburghZoo.org for future updates.

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About the Writers

Megan Trotter is a TribLive staff writer. She can be reached at mtrotter@triblive.com.

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