When you want to see different animals in the flesh without risking your life and limb in the wild, where do you go to? That’s right! It’s the zoo!

Over the years, many zoos courted controversies and earned the ire of conservationists and animal lovers all over the world because of inhumane practices. It weighs heavily on one’s conscience to continuously support these outrageous violations by visiting the zoos. But do you know that there are commendable zoos in the United States that actually take care of their animals with kindness and compassion, while also providing you with education and awareness about animal and wildlife conservation?

You should probably check the following out if you are in the mood for the company of animals:

A part of the Smithsonian Institution, this zoo was founded in 1889. It occupies 163 acres of land in the center of Washington DC’s Rock Creek Park, and is home to more than 1,500 animals of various species. It is known for its commitment to conservation, research, and education. As stated in the Smithsonian’s website, their efforts even extend to other parts of the world, sending more than 200 scientists and their partners in more than 30 countries to create and share their knowledge in aiding the survival and recovery of species and their habitats.

The zoo also gives attention to the health of their animals, providing them with excellent veterinary care. Their consideration does not end there. The zoo holds the distinction as the first zoo in the US to hire a research nutritionist. Until today, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo continues to promote and practice cutting-edge wildlife nutrition for their animal inhabitants. It also provides an enrichment program where the zoo’s animals receive physically and mentally stimulating toys, activities, and environments that enhance their well-being.

2. Philadelphia Zoo

Dubbed as the first true zoo in the United States, it is a sprawling forty-two acres; it is home to more than 1,300 animals, most of them rare and endangered. Its primary distinction from other zoos is a breeding program that focuses on animals which are hard to breed in captivity, such as endangered frogs from the Andes and the Caribbean.

As the region’s leading family destination, Philadelphia Zoo also takes the responsibility in educating more than 1.2 million annual visitors regarding animal and environmental conservation through Zoo360—the world’s first animal travel and exploration trail system. It also has a children’s zoo called KidZooU where the young ones can witness and experience the wonders of being with animals, from pigeons flying overhead, to the barnyard and stables where they can pet and brush sheep. There is also a towering goat bridge and children’s climbing structure that offers parallel play opportunities. (“About the Zoo”).

The zoo does not only invite young and lifelong learners to connect with wildlife. It also offers them the opportunity to understand more about and to take part in the conservation action.

3. Cincinnati Zoo

The second oldest zoo in country, Cincinnati Zoo opened its doors to visitors in 1875. Starting from a small collection of animals, it has expanded to more than five hundred animal and three thousand plant species. It is rated by peer zoological parks as one of the best zoos in the nation.

Aside from that, the zoo also supports more than thirty field conservation projects around the world, from tigers in Malaysia to keas in New Zealand. It is in the forefront of helping to save the species and making the world a better place for both the people and wildlife.

The zoo is especially known for its breeding programs, having successfully initiated the successful California sea lion breeding program. Other breeding programs include South African cheetahs and Malayan tigers, among many others.

4. Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo began from the donation of an orphaned American black bear. Initially given as a gift to Thomas S. McMurry, the mayor of Denver from 1895 to 1899, the cub proved too hard to manage so it was handed to the keeper of City Park, Alexander J. Graham. The latter started the zoo from this, adding other animals such as native prairie dogs, antelopes, and Chinese pheasants.

Spread in an eighty-acre facility in Denver, Colorado, this place is the first in the United States to use natural zoo enclosures instead of cages with bars. There are mesh tents and open areas for apes and monkeys which they call Primate Panorama. A Predator Ridge is also set up to give the animals three separate areas through which they are rotated so that their overlapping scents will provide them environmental enrichment. For big cats, there is The Edge, a newly designed exhibit modeled after the pine forests of Russia for the Amur tigers. It gives the bigger cats larger and more dynamic habitats. (Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, “Denver Zoo”).

The zoo also encourages visitors to take action in helping secure a better world for animals by engaging the guests, inspiring them to connect with the animals, and motivating them to participate in conservation efforts. The place also tries to limit environmental impacts through sustainable practices, striving to be the “Greenest Zoo.”

Visiting this zoo is not only an unforgettable experience for animal enthusiasts. They also come away with a better understanding about animal conservation and their role in it.

5. Louis Zoo

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, this zoo is recognized as the leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. In the course of a year, the zoo receives more than three million visitors. Known for its innovative approaches to animal management, wildlife conservation, research, and education, the St. Louis Zoo is recently voted as the Best Zoo and America’s Top Free Attraction.

The place emphasizes its pledge to connect people to animals by giving them a chance to learn through formal classes, lectures, camps, teacher workshops, distance learning, zoo tours, and outreach programs. They can also learn informally from keeper chats, zoo tours, docent volunteers, interpreters, signages, and special exhibits. The best learning, though, comes from observing the zoo animals.

In terms of conservation, the Saint Louis Zoo founded the WildCare Institute. The zoo takes a holistic approach in working in conservation hotspots locally and around the globe. While also helping save the endangered species, its goals also include the creation of a sustainable future for wildlife and for people around the world, as stated in the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute’s mission statement.

These are only five of the best zoos in the country. There are many more, but you can start from these. Here’s to a rewarding and unforgettable journey as you experience the wonders of the animals, learn more about them, and come out as a better person.

Sources

Helvarg, David. “America’s Top 10 Zoos.” Travel and Leisure Magazine. Accessed May 8, 2017. http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/walk-with-the-animals.

Philadelphia Zoo. “ABOUT THE ZOO.” Accessed May 8, 2017. http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/About-the-Zoo.aspx.

Skyenimals. “List of Zoos in the United States.” Accessed May 8, 2017. http://www.skyenimals.com/browse_zoos.cgi.

Smithsonian. “National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.” Accessed May 10, 2017. https://www.si.edu/unit/national-zoo-and-conservation-biology-institute.

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