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“I have wonderful memories of visiting the Bronx Zoo. I was so impressed with the way the animals were kept, and the way they were displayed, and the care that was taken of them. And I was also very impressed by the education programs, which were very strong.”
Dr. Jane Goodall, Primatologist and Conservationist
Profile Information:
- Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460 (Map)
- Phone Number: (718) 220-5100
- Email Address: information@wcs.org
- Hours of Operation: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
- Date founded: 1899
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
- Number of Animals: Over 8,000
- Number of Species: More than 700
- Park Size: 265 acres
- Website Link: https://bronxzoo.com/
Brief History:
The Bronx Zoo, located in the Bronx borough of New York City, is one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the world, spanning over 265 acres. It is operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, a non-profit organization that aims to conserve wildlife and their habitats around the world.
The Bronx Zoo was founded in 1899 by a group of prominent New York City citizens, including Madison Grant and C. Grant LaFarge. William Temple Hornaday became the zoo’s first director and devoted 30 years in service to the zoo. The original zoo was a modest collection of animals housed in the Bronx Park, but it quickly grew in size and popularity.
In the early 20th century, the Bronx Zoo became a leader in wildlife conservation and research. The zoo’s staff pioneered innovative techniques for breeding and caring for animals in captivity, and they conducted groundbreaking research on animal behavior, genetics, and physiology.
Over the years, the Bronx Zoo has undergone several expansions and renovations, adding new exhibits and improving animal habitats. Today, the zoo is home to over 6,000 animals representing more than 700 species from around the world.
The Bronx Zoo also has a long history of public education and outreach. The zoo offers a variety of educational programs and exhibits for visitors of all ages, including guided tours, animal shows, and interactive exhibits. The zoo’s education programs aim to teach visitors about wildlife conservation and inspire them to take action to protect the natural world.
Overall, the Bronx Zoo has a rich history of wildlife conservation, research, and public education. It continues to be a leader in the field of zoology and a beloved attraction for visitors from around the world.
Quick Facts:
- The Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States.
- It was the first zoo in the United States to display animals in naturalistic settings, without bars or cages.
- The zoo’s famous African Plains exhibit spans over 6 acres and features lions, zebras, and giraffes.
- The World of Birds exhibit is home to over 500 birds from 80 different species.
- The Bronx Zoo has a state-of-the-art animal hospital that provides medical care to all the animals in the zoo.
- The Butterfly Garden exhibit features over 1,000 butterflies from all over the world.
- The Madagascar exhibit features a diverse range of animals, including lemurs, Nile crocodiles, and radiated tortoises.
- The zoo has a monorail that provides visitors with a bird’s eye view of the zoo and its animals.
- The Children’s Zoo is a hands-on exhibit where kids can interact with domestic animals like goats and sheep.
- The Bronx Zoo offers a range of educational programs for visitors of all ages, including behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters.
Fun Facts:
- The Bronx Zoo was the inspiration for the animated movie “Madagascar.”
- The zoo’s original name was the New York Zoological Park.
- The zoo’s Asian elephant sculpture on the south side of Elephant House was created by the famous sculptor A. Phimister Proctor.
- The zoo has a team of experts dedicated to researching and protecting endangered animals like the snow leopard and the Siberian tiger.
- The zoo has been featured in several movies and TV shows, including “Friends” and “The Sopranos.”
- The Bronx Zoo has a partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society, which works to protect wildlife and wild places around the world.
- The zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit is home to one of the largest groups of lowland gorillas in North America.
- The zoo’s Tiger Mountain exhibit is home to several Amur tigers, one of the rarest big cats in the world.
- The zoo has a “zoo shuttle” that takes visitors to different parts of the zoo.
- The zoo has a petting zoo where visitors can interact with animals like alpacas and pigs.
Fun Facts for Kids:
- The Bronx Zoo is home to some of the coolest animals in the world, like lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!).
- The zoo has a Dinosaur Safari exhibit where kids can see life-size animatronic dinosaurs.
- Kids can ride the Bug Carousel, which features giant insect-themed seats.
- The Children’s Zoo allows kids to feed and pet goats, sheep, and alpacas.
- The zoo’s Butterfly Garden exhibit has a butterfly release every day at 2 pm.
- Kids can learn about conservation and recycling at the zoo’s Eco-Station exhibit.
- The zoo has a Halloween-themed event called “Boo at the Zoo,” where kids can dress up in costumes and trick-or-treat.
- The zoo has a “Nature Trek” exhibit where kids can climb through a treehouse and explore a forest.
- The Children’s Zoo has a “Nature Play” area where kids can build forts and play in a water feature.
- Kids can learn about animal behavior and training at the zoo’s Sea Lion Training Session.
Video: Bronx Zoo Full Tour – Bronx, New York – Part One
Video: Bronx Zoo Full Tour – Bronx, New York – Part Two