Almost every major tourist city has a zoo.
The following 10 zoos have an important mission to conserve endangered species in captivity, protect wildlife, and engage the public in the world's fauna. Also note the article 15 Idiots Moving Behind the Zoo Fence.
1. Wellington Zoo, North Island, New Zealand
The first zoo in New Zealand with an area of 13 hectares is rightfully considered the largest and has more than 500 animals and 100 different species, many of which are endangered and that live only in New Zealand: Sumatran tigers, miniature Malay bears.
The zoo, along with other zoos, is part of the FTB's organization for the protection of bears, lions and other animals. This zoo pays great attention to the quality and stability of the conditions for the population, which includes: heating and lighting, communication with each zoo inhabitant in order to learn how to protect nature and respect it.
2. Toronto Zoo, Ontario, Canada
The Toronto Zoo contains over 5,000 animals of 460 different species from all over the world. Here you can ride a camel, touch a stingray and see animals that are on the verge of extinction: gauras, koats, Grevy's zebras, African elephants, Kudu antelopes and pygmy hippos - not to mention the fauna of Canada: grizzlies, moose, forest bison, raccoons - stripers, lynxes and cougars.
3. Australian Zoo, Sunshine Coast, Australia
Of course, the wildest and most adventurous zoo could have been created by none other than Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter. The zoo is allowed to touch some species of snakes, koalas, wombats, tigers, elephants and view over 1000 different species of animals.
Make your reservation as early as possible to make the most of your day at the zoo.
4. Zoo in Yokohama, Japan
The Japanese Zoo in Yokohama, or Zuraziya, was founded in 1999. With an area of 437 sq. km., the territory of the zoo provides habitats for more than 1,500 animals of 150 different species. In fact, the zoo is completely green and consists of 7 separate ecological regions - the rainforests of Asia, Central Asia, Oceania, the rainforests of Africa, the natural zones of Japan and the Amazonian jungle. Due to the large size of the zoo, visitors are given binoculars to get a better view of the inhabitants.
5. Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay, North Wales
The park with a hillside area of 15 hectares was founded in 1963. Today the Zoological Society of Wales has taken the lead and uses the zoo more as a nature reserve, within which flora and fauna flourish. Guests are guided through wooded areas, tree-lined paths, hills teeming with gray herons, snakes and badgers.
The main attraction of the zoo is the otter show - a happy and frisky game of otters in the water with a waterfall - and with California sea lions, Humboldt penguins.
6. Berlin Zoo, Germany
Berlin Zoo is the oldest and most visited zoo in Germany. Together with the aquarium, the area of the territory is 35 hectares and houses 17 thousand animals. The zoo was founded thanks to King Frederick Wilhelm IV of Prussia, who populated the zoo with 850 animals from their own collection.
During the Second World War, the zoo suffered massive destruction, when most of its territories and hundreds of animals were destroyed. However, the zoo was rebuilt, and the surviving animals - a couple of lions, hyenas, a male elephant and nearly a dozen baboons and chimpanzees - were moved to more natural habitats and sent on tours, one of which was called the "animals from the Bible" tour, showing animals from the biblical plot.
7. Philadelphia Zoo, Pennsylvania, USA
The Philadelphia Zoo, America's very first zoo, was founded in 1874. Today the zoo has earned itself a good reputation for breeding endangered species and creating the most natural conditions for the population. Containing over 1,300 animals, the city zoo boasts the world's most modern primate exhibit, the 1-hectare PECO Reserve, completely populated with a variety of monkeys, including gibbons, lowland gorillas, Sumatran orangutans, lemurs - all with dominant males.
Cat lovers purr with pleasure at the sight of the reserve, which is home to 12 endangered species of animals of their cat family: African lions, Amur tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, etc. If the day is not enough for you, then you can stay here and spend the night in the camp. An unusual setting will give you an unforgettable experience.
8. Bronx Zoo, New York, USA
This rather small zoo in the middle of a metropolis is one of the oldest and finest zoos in the United States. So much so that the Wildlife Conservation Society has established a community of veterinarians here, providing essential and direct assistance to more than 15 thousand animals that live in various zoos in America.
The Bronx Zoo is extremely renowned for its animal enrichment programs. As an educational and practical part of the program, visitors can witness how the zoo attendants train and interact with animals - representatives of monkeys and tigers - as well as feeding, animal behavior, protection of polar bears and other animals of the zoo.
9. San Diego Zoo, California, USA
Just outside downtown San Diego, you can discover the wonders of the world famous San Diego Zoo. Its territory, covering 40 hectares of land, is home to 4000 animals of 800 species. The land is grassy and hilly, so visitors are offered a 35-minute guided bus tour, or they may choose to attend specific exhibitions.
The Odyssey of Elephants is the most impressive and educational exhibit featuring a variety of species from the Pleistocene era (mammoths) to the present. Not far from here, you can run and look at huge elephants, bears, lions and jaguars in more natural conditions.
10. Basel Zoo, Switzerland
Basel Zoo boasts one of the most successful breeding programs for endangered animals that live here and are rarely found in other reserves in the world. In fact, over 600 species of animals - including snow leopards, cheetahs, Indian rhinos, flamingos, pygmy hippos and okapis - would be proud to have their zoo in the top 7 list of the Zoological Society of London for successful breeding efforts.
We recommend watching:
The video will tell you about the 5 best zoos in the world and why you should visit them.
