United States General Interest: General Interest in United States

Untitled Document Unlocking a fascinating world perhaps otherwise only seen in nature documentaries or on an African safari, today�s zoos are losing a tarnished reputation of cruelty and are instead heralded as environmental blessings. The world�s greatest zoos are committed to the conservation of wildlife and its natural environment and are making a positive impact on the survival of threatened species in the wild. In addition to conducting and supporting research, facilitating breeding programs and ensuring the highest standards of animal care and enclosures, the conservation commitment also entails educating the public and fostering an appreciation of the world�s precious wildlife.


	Zebras Hang Out at San Diego Zoo¹

Good zoos are great fun for the whole family. Both grandson and grandmother watch captivatedly as one monkey grooms another with human-like care and concentration. Easily accessible information reveals amazing facts that astound. Responsible for captive animals and human visitors alike, quality zoos maintain top-notch human facilities, such as bathrooms, food kiosks, walking paths and children's attractions alongside clean, safe animal enclosures that represent natural habitats as closely as possible.

Following are ten of the best zoos in the USA and Canada. Each demonstrates impressive conservation efforts, excellent visitor facilities, commendable enclosures and healthy, happy animals. All zoos mentioned are also accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), an organization dedicated to the well-being of captive wildlife.

SAN DIEGO ZOO

San Diego Zoo is perhaps the most famous zoo on the planet. Its world-wide reputation is well-deserved with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species. Located in Balboa Park, north of downtown San Diego, the zoo's 40 ha (100 acres) feature environments and ecosystems from around the world, including desert, coastline, prairie, wetland and tropical rainforest habitats. San Diego's mild Mediterranean climate nurtures over 700,000 plants and bodes well for the zoo's mostly open-air naturalistic enclosures (of which the zoo is known for) and their intriguing inhabitants. The zoo's dedicated Center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES), located at its Wild Animal Park, is home to one of the largest zoo-based research teams in the world. San Diego Zoo also boasts an overhead gondola, which offers visitors a bird's-eye safari view as it traverses from one side of the zoo to the other, and excellent disability-friendly visitor facilities.

BRONX ZOO

Equally as impressive as San Diego Zoo, the Bronx Zoo in New York is also home to over 4,000 animals occupying enclosures that closely resemble their natural habitats from around the world. The largest urban zoo in North America, Bronx offers 107 ha (265 acres) to explore, with a surprise around every corner. A mix of outdoor and indoor exhibits take visitors on a global safari while rides like the Skyfari gondola, Bug Carousel and Wild Asia Monorail are accessible to all guests. Managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo is committed to preserving wildlife and increasing public awareness of conservation and environmental issues. Their snow leopard and gorilla families are two of the zoo's proudest breeding success stories.


A Gorilla Contemplates His Audience at Bronx Zoo²

OMAHA�S HENRY DOORLY ZOO

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska has come a long way from its small beginnings as the Riverview Park Zoo in 1894 to become the commendable, world-class recreational, environmental and educational facility it is today. Located off Interstate 80, the zoo's expansive grounds host exhibits and enclosures that display a global diversity of wildlife and environments representing natural habitats, including the world's largest indoor rainforest. Get a high-climbing monkey's view of this leafy ecosystem from the TreeTops Restaurant. Completed in 2008, the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion is an impressive structure that looks like a giant insect from above and houses a fascinating population of creepy-crawlies that may give some visitors the heeby-jeebies. The zoo's veterinary medical and research facility, the Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research, conducts state-of-the-art research in important fields such as animal care, reproductive physiology and nutrition.

PHOENIX ZOO

Recognized as one of the USA's best zoos for children, Arizona's Phoenix Zoo entertains, educates and amazes. Exploring the zoo's 50 ha (125 acres) via 4 km (2.5 mi) of walking trails (or by safari train for sore feet), visitors may discover around 1,200 exciting animals. In addition to free animal encounters, keeper talks and feeding sessions, visitors can get up close and personal at Stingray Bay � a touch tank swimming with small rays and sharks, on the back of a camel, or at the petting zoo. The Phoenix Zoo's conservation programs focus on breeding and research, working with the AZA's Species Survival Plan. The zoo also features an area called Sanctuary dedicated to animals requiring special care due to injuries and illness, rehabilitation for return to the wild, captive-breeding programs and retirement from breeding programs.

ST. LOUIS ZOO

Since its establishment in 1910, St. Louis Zoo in Missouri has always been free to enter, although today there are small fees for some attractions and rides. The zoo is proud of its beautiful, naturalistic exhibits, the first of its natural immersion exhibits being the 4-ha (10-acre) River's Edge. Here, a river meanders through four continents, showcasing wildlife from South America to the African Nile as each lush habitat is revealed around the bends. A world leader in the conservation of endangered species and habitats, the St. Louis Zoo WildCare Institute has centres around the world dedicated to managing and recovering threatened species populations and ecosystems. In addition, the zoo's Endangered Species Research Center and Veterinary Hospital commits to captive-breeding programs, research and medical care for zoo residents and incoming animals.


	A Wolf Howls at the Sonoran Desert Sky³

MINNESOTA ZOO

About 2,500 animals representing 445 species call Apple Valley's Minnesota Zoo home. Three main trails lead visitors through a diverse landscape of varied biospheres � guests can venture into the rainforest to spot sloths and lemurs, wander hardy Northern landscapes where wolves and bison roam, or explore the Minnesota Trail and discover this state's beautiful pumas and eagles. Save some walking time by boarding the monorail, which provides an elevated view of the extensive Northern Trail while a guide narrates the scenery and animal activity. The Minnesota Zoo is actively involved in wildlife conservation at an international, national and local level, working with other zoos and organizations to preserve and protect species in jeopardy. The zoo participates in a significant number of the AZA's Species Survival Plans and is most notably involved in tiger conservation efforts, coordinating global programs through the Tiger Global Conservation Strategy.

ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM

Established in 1952, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tuscon is dedicated to the conservation of this valuable desert area through fostering an appreciation and understanding of the natural world. Set on 40 ha (100 acres) of true Sonoran Desert, exhibits make use of the natural environment to present animals, plants and geology native to the region. More than a significantly progressive zoo, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is also a world-renowned botanical garden, featuring 40,000 plants of 1,400 varieties, while the on-site Earth Sciences Center catalogues and displays thousands of fascinating gems, fossils and minerals from the area. Contributing significantly to the preservation of the land, plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert region, the museum is home to nearly 20 endangered native animal and plant species. It participates in influential conservation strategies such as recovery and captive-breeding programs via its on-site scientific and educational facility, the Center for Sonoran Desert Studies.

TORONTO ZOO

Reputably Canada's top zoo, Toronto Zoo is one of the world's largest, sprawling over 287 ha (710 acres) of Rouge Park in north eastern Toronto. Separated into six geographical �territories,� the zoo has a population of over 5,000 animals from more than 460 species. Exploring the 10 km (6 mi) of trails, visitors will discover both national wildlife and animals from far-off lands, such as the African Savannah and Australasia, inhabiting naturalistic outdoor enclosures and indoor tropical pavilions. It's a big place, so guests can hop aboard the Zoomobile to give their legs a break, and camel and Safari Simulator rides also get visitors off their feet. The zoo is passionate about its animals and protecting threatened species in the wild. Partnered with conservation organizations and other zoos, Toronto Zoo is heavily involved with research in reproduction biology and animal behaviour, as well as world-wide conservation programs.


A Snow Owl Stares Back at Calgary Zoo⁴

GRANBY ZOO

Visitors delight in the opportunity to meet the 1,000 exotic residents of Granby Zoo, as well as surf Quebec's largest wave pool and float down the Amazon-inspired �Lazy River� at the Amazoo Yoplait Water Park and play on the rides at the zoo's amusement park. This expansive zoological playground takes guests on a round-the-world wildlife adventure as its walking paths lead to impressive exhibits that simulate the animals' natural environments. Committed to the preservation of wildlife, the Granby Zoo protects endangered and threatened species within the safety of its walls, participating in captive-breeding programs as part of the AZA's Species Survival Plan. It also takes part in a variety of research projects beneficial to species conservation through its Centre de Soins et de Conservation (Care and Conservation Centre).

CALGARY ZOO

Boasting 1,000 animals from about 275 species, Alberta's celebrated Calgary Zoo is also praised by botany buffs who appreciate the zoo's magical Dorothy Harvie Gardens and Conservatory complete with a butterfly house. Also unique to Calgary Zoo, the Prehistoric Park allows visitors to step back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the plains of western Canada, while the Canadian Wilds exhibit introduces visitors to the current-day inhabitants of the area � the grizzly bears, moose, wolves and bighorn sheep that call western Canada's Rocky Mountains home. Many of the zoo's animals are endangered, playing an important part in the restoration of healthy populations under the AZA's Species Survival Plan. The zoo's Centre for Conservation Research is dedicated to saving threatened species in Canada and its Conservation Outreach Department contributes funding toward conservation projects around the world.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

Zebras Hang Out at San Diego Zoo; San Diego, CA, USA

A Gorilla Contemplates His Audience at Bronx Zoo; New York, NY, USA

A Wolf Howls at the Sonoron Desert Sky; Tuscon, AZ, USA

Germ�n Rodr�guez Pazo; A Snow Owl Stares Back at Calgary Zoo; Calgary, AB, Canada

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