The Reptile Zoo completely closes after 30 years in Monroe, citing poor attendance

The Reptile Zoo in Monroe closed its doorways for good on Monday, after 30 years of working as a family-owned roadside attraction alongside U.S. Highway 2.

On its remaining day, The Reptile Zoo was open from 10 a.m. to eight p.m., with lots of the animals being moved to new houses on Tuesday, in line with KOMO News.

The zoo had beforehand warned of its closure in October 2025 on account of steep working prices and inflation, which led to workers layoffs.

“COVID was really difficult for us, but the biggest part now is just inflation,” proprietor Isaac Peterson stated on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “I tried this last-ditch effort to raise my prices about a buck during the week, and my revenue fell 25%. So, the last two years have been down 10%. I’ve cut all my expenses. I’ve cut all my staff. We’re down to a skeleton crew.”

Monroe neighborhood makes an attempt to revive The Reptile Zoo

After the zoo’s earlier closure announcement, the Monroe neighborhood confirmed up, attendance surged, and ticket gross sales almost tripled.

“We’ve been really busy, and we’re just going to try one more time to keep the zoo going,” Peterson stated in October. “We’re gonna shut down for about four weeks, open back up in mid-November.”

Despite the post-closure announcement rush, attendance and ticket gross sales dropped again to earlier lows, finally resulting in Monday’s everlasting closure.

Roughly 100 of its 130 reptiles might be relocated by the top of February. Many of the reptiles might be transferred domestically to houses already outfitted to take care of the animals.

A brand new group is anticipated to take possession of the placement and open a mammal-focused zoo, Peterson confirmed to KOMO News.

The Reptile Zoo was operated by the Peterson household for 3 a long time. Scott Peterson, informally often known as “The Reptile Man,” based it, and Isaac took over in 2012 after being concerned since his teenage years.

“The Reptile Man” additionally offers a touring reptile present, which is able to proceed and have animals separate from the present zoo roster. The Petersons supply academic applications at libraries, neighborhood occasions, and colleges.

“When I took over in 2012, we separated the businesses,” Isaac defined. “So ‘The Reptile Man,’ my dad, he stayed with that. I took over the reptiles, so we kept them all separate. But also, my sister, right after COVID, started doing shows. But they’re separate businesses. Those businesses are totally viable. They’re doing very well.”

The Reptile Zoo was one of many final reptile services in Washington after a 2007 legislation banned the possession of harmful animals, together with alligators and venomous snakes. The legislation grandfathered in current services like The Reptile Zoo, permitting it to proceed working.

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