The Phoenix Zoo opened in 1962 and is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates on 125 acres (51 ha) of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride.
The zoo has over 1,400 animals on display and contains 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of walking trails. It is divided into four main themed areas or trails: The Arizona Trail (American Southwest flora and fauna), the Africa Trail (animals from Africa), the Tropics Trail (residents of the rain forests), and the Children’s Trail, which includes a petting zoo.
The zoo has been conservation-minded from its inception. Soon after it opened, it hosted what was thought to be the last few Arabian oryx, which formed the basis of the world herd created for Operation Oryx and eventually allowed the reintroduction of the species into the wild. It now includes a sanctuary to care for endangered or unwanted.
Attractions
Arizona Trail
The Arizona Trail is designed to emulate the wildlife and plant life of the state of Arizona. It features several plants native to the Sonoran Desert, including the saguaro cactus and animals such as the coyote, collared peccary (more commonly known as the javelina), cougar, bobcat, raven, turkey vulture, coati, thick-billed parrot, Sonoran pronghorn, and the Mexican wolf.
Africa Trail
The Africa Trail showcases many of the most popular animals in the world, including the African-painted dogs, hamadryas baboon, mandrill, ostrich, Mhorr’s gazelle, white rhino, Grévy’s zebras, lions, cheetahs, Reticulated and Masai giraffes. The Desert Lives (pronounced like “life”) trail diverts off the Africa Trail before and after the lion and hyena exhibits. It features bighorn sheep and Arabian oryx among the natural buttes. A1 Bed Bug Exterminator
Tropics Trail
The Tropics Trail has two parts. The inner trail following the lake is home to the “Tropical Flights” aviary, Bornean orangutans, and the common squirrel monkeys of “Monkey Village.” The outer tropics trail passes by the Komodo dragons in the “Land of the Dragons” exhibit, Asian elephants, an Indian rhinoceros, a jaguar, Galápagos tortoises, Aldabra giant tortoises, iguanas, anteaters, Sumatran tigers of the “Isle of the Tiger” exhibit, and an assortment of tropical birds. It includes the Forest of Uco, a lush rainforest landscape that surrounds visitors along a 1-mile walking trail, reproductions of a South American Mercado, and a scientific expedition and ruins. It highlights several tropical animals, including the Andean bear.
Address: 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ
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