The San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, California. The zoo is home to over 12,000 animals of more than 650 species. The zoo occupies 100 acres in Balboa Park and is operated on a lease from the City of San Diego. Those who visit the San Diego Zoo will be impressed with its incredible array of animals and diverse habitats. No other zoo in the world boasts so much diversity. Information can be found here.

The San Diego Zoo HisTory

The San Diego Zoo was founded in 1915 as a venue for exotic house animals brought to the area from the 1915 Panama-California Exhibition. Its founder, Ellen Browning Scripps, was a wildlife lover who helped establish an aquarium and research institute in La Jolla. The San Diego Zoo soon grew to become an impressive menagerie. Its early exhibits incorporated the use of "cageless" enclosures for the animals. These exhibits later became the standard for modern animal exhibits at many zoos worldwide. See here for information about Things to See and Do in Balboa Park.

The Acacia Woodland exhibit is home to a leopard exhibit, an aviary, and a troop of vervet monkeys. The Amur leopard is one of the most endangered animals on the planet. Found in Northern China and Russia, only 60 of these critically endangered animals are in the wild. The San Diego Zoo has become an essential player in preserving the Amur leopard species and is committed to ensuring that this species survives.

Walk Features

The Reptile Walk features many different kinds of birds and invertebrates. The reptile Walk has an African-themed enclosure that features colorful creatures. Visitors can find an African grey parrot, a gharial, a black-headed bushmaster, and several freshwater and saltwater angelfish species. Several South American species can also be found in the Parker Aviary. There are several other exhibits and various animal collections throughout the San Diego Zoo.

For people who love animals, there are many different activities to choose from. In addition, there are many other activities for children. There are guided tours, an animal encounter program, and 4-D movie theaters. Even pro photographers can get some action in with these experiences. The San Diego Zoo also offers several different kinds of animal tours, so everyone can find something that interests them. You can also buy out a private time. Check with individual parks for the best pricing options.

Safari Park: For the more adventurous visitor, there's a safari area to see African animals. Here you can see giraffes, hyenas, and elephants. There's also a section devoted to gorillas. And finally, there's the African-themed area. There are a variety of other animals here, including the rare platypus. This is the only place you can find it outside of Australia!

If you love animals, you might want to consider taking a safari tour at the San Diego Zoo. The zoo is 100 acres and boasts more than 650 species of animals. While the zoo is an immense attraction, it's also relatively small; visitors won't walk too far between exhibits. A daily schedule of closures is posted at the park's entrance. The best way to check if any special events are taking place is to call ahead of time.