Almost every major
tourist city in the world is home to a zoo. However, there are only a rare few
doing the miraculous work that the following ten zoo’s and wildlife parks are
doing to promote animal conservation, wildlife protection, captive breeding of
endangered species, and general public education and awareness around the
importance of animal preservation.
1. Wellington Zoo, North Island, New Zealand
New Zealand’s very
first zoo is one of the biggest, situated on 32-sprawling acres with more than
500 animals and 100 different species—many of which are endangered species
native to New Zealand, including Sumatran tigers, the miniature Sun Bear, the
smallest of the bear species. The zoo is also involved with a group in parts of
Asia called “Free the Bears”, lions, and many more. The zoo is dedicated to
quality, sustainable enclosures for its population, which include solar heating
and power, and intimate one-on-one encounters with the animals to educate on
the importance of natural preservation.
2. Toronto Zoo, Ontario, Canada
The Toronto Zoo houses
5000 animals from 460 species around the world. This zoo boasts some truly
unique exhibits such as camel rides, sting ray touch tanks. Plus, enclosures
for numerous endangered baby additions like Gaur (a type of Indian bison), spider
monkeys, Grevy’s Zebras, African
Elephants, Greater Kudu (a type of antelope), Western lowland gorillas, and
pygmy hippo. Not to mention many native animals to Canada, such as Grizzly
bear, Moose, Wood Bison, raccoons, lynx, and cougar.
3. Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast, Australia
Of course the wildest
and most adventurous zoo on earth would have to have been founded by none other
than the late Steve Irwin, Australia’s Crocodile Hunter. The zoo encourages
hands-on encounters with various snakes, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, tigers,
elephants, as well as viewings of over 1000 different animals. Make a
reservation if you really want to make the most of your day!
4. Yokohama Zoo, Japan
Japan’s Yokohama Zoo,
lovingly referred to as “Zoorasia” was established in 1999. A massive 100 acres
in size, this lush, sprawling zoo gives extended room to it’s over 1500 animals
from 150 species. In fact, the zoo is largely green in design, consisting of 7
separate ecological areas—the Asian Tropical Forest, Central Asian Highland,
Oceanian Grassland, Japanese Countryside, African Tropical Rainforest, and the
Amazon Jungle—all designed to mimic natural habitats. Because it’s so large,
binoculars are given to each guest upon entrance for optimal spotting of the
inhabitants.
5. Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay, North Wales
This 37 acre hillside
park was established by naturalist Robert Jackson in 1963. Today, the
Zoological Society of Wales has taken the helm and operates the zoo more like
conservation lands for native wildlife within. Guests are treated to wooded
acres, tree lined paths, and rolling hills teeming with grey heron, grass
snakes, and badgers. The must-see exhibits are the modern Eurasian Otter
showcase—outfitted with a river, and waterfall for happy otters to slide and
frolic about—and that of the California Sea Lions and the Humboldt Penguin.
6. Berlin Zoo, Germany
The Berlin Zoo is the
oldest and most-visited zoo in all of Germany. In collaboration with its
associated aquarium, the area is made up of 84 acres and home to over 17,000
animals. The zoo was established with the help of King Frederick William IV of
Prussia, who populated the zoo with 850 animals from his very own private
collection. It suffered massive damage during World War II, when most of the
zoo and almost a hundred animals were destroyed. However, the zoo was rebuilt
and the survivors—a pair of lions, hyenas, a bull Elephant, almost a dozen
baboons, and a chimpanzee—moved into more natural enclosures and tours, one of
which became the Animals of the Bible tour, showcasing animals from biblical
reference.
7. Philadelphia Zoo, Pennsylvania, USA
America’s very first
zoo is the Philadelphia Zoo, established in 1874. Today the zoo enjoys a
reputation for breeding endangered species in captivity as well as simulated
natural habitats for its animal population. Home to over 1300 animals, this
urban zoo boasts one of the most state-of-the-art primate exhibits in the
world, PECO Primate Reserve, a 2.50acre, indoor and outdoor areas that houses
10 different primate species—including gibbons, lowland gorillas,
Sumatran Orangutans, lemurs, and Silverbacks. Cat lovers will purr at the sight
of Big Cat Falls, which houses 12 endangered species of felines such as African
Lions, Amur Tigers, jaguars, Snow Leopards, and cougars. If you don’t get your
fill during the day, stay for a rare overnight experience camps for kids!
8. Bronx Zoo, New York City, USA
This rather small zoo
in the midst of a metropolis is one of the oldest and best zoos in the USA. So
much so that the Wildlife Conservation Society established its veterinarian
society here, where primary care is provided for over 15,000 animals located at
various zoos across America. The Bronx Zoo is particularly renowned for its
animal enrichment programs. Both educational and hands-on in nature,
visitors can witness zoo keepers training and interacting with animals—such as
the monkey and tiger population—as well as various feedings, animal behavior,
and health care for polar bears and various other resident animals.
9. San Diego Zoo, California, USA
Near San Diego’s
downtown, you’ll discover the wonders of the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. This
huge 100-acre spread is home to almost 4000 animals from 800 species. The
grounds are grassy and hilly so many guests opt for the 35-minute guided bus
tour, or they choose to hop on and off at certain exhibits. The zoo’s Elephant
Odyssey is by far the most impressive and educational, tracing the species form
the Pleistocene era (i.e. wholly mammoth) to modern day. However, nearby you
can pop in to visit the giant sloths, bears, lions and jaguars in their
simulated natural habitats.
10. Basel Zoo, Switzerland
The Basel Zoo boasts
one of the most successful captive breeding programs of endangered species in
the world. The uniquely peculiar creatures here are not often seen in other
wildlife parks around the world. In fact, the more than 600 species—including snow
leopards, cheetah, Indian Rhino, flamingos, pygmy hippopotamuses, Somali Wild
Ass, and okapi—would be proud that their zoo is considered among the top 7 by
the Zoological Society of London for its successful breeding efforts.