2012 looks set to be a record breaking year for the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
“We are so excited! Not only did we set two monthly attendance records but this year’s first quarter attendance is the highest in Zoo history,” said Dr. Barbara Baker, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
Attendance records are being broken at the zoo, with the year to date figure of 181,469 easily surpassing the previous record of 2009 of record of 115,111 
for the same period.
Both February and March saw huge increases in attendance , exceeding the previous records by almost 3,000 and almost 20,000 respectively. February’s attendance was 6,000 up on last year.
Dr. Baker said that the warmer weather was undoubtedly a major factor and added, “But I also think visitors were excited to attend our winter penguin parades and meet our new baby gorilla.”
One star attraction is the Zoo’s latest recruit, a 3-month old sea otter pup, rescued off the coast of Alaska (see video above). “The little guy is doing very well in his new home at Water’s Edge,” says Dr. Baker. “Visitors can see him in the sea otter nursery on the lower level.”
Oppen to the public everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium gates close at 4 p.m.