The San Diego Zoo is one of the most well known zoos in the world due to its conservation efforts, as well as its work with endangered species. There always seems to be a new arrival or two in the nursery.
Throughout the zoo, discover numerous habitats that replicate natural environments. In the Monkey Trails® and Forest Tails see hippos, leopards and crocodiles, plus mandrill monkeys with their painted faces. Absolute Apes recreates a Southeast Asia rain forest perfect for orangutans....
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The San Diego Zoo is one of the most well known zoos in the world due to its conservation efforts, as well as its work with endangered species. There always seems to be a new arrival or two in the nursery.
Throughout the zoo, discover numerous habitats that replicate natural environments. In the Monkey Trails® and Forest Tails see hippos, leopards and crocodiles, plus mandrill monkeys with their painted faces. Absolute Apes recreates a Southeast Asia rain forest perfect for orangutans. Complete with a pool for its largest resident is Ituri Forest®. Walk next door to the Tiger River® to observe tigers, storks and tapirs. Gorilla Tropics® is the home to these magnificent creatures, plus monkeys and the Scripps Aviary with more than 100 African birds.
Sun bears can be found in their namesake forest, along with hyenas and red-cheeked gibbons. The Giant Panda Research Station houses a growing number of pandas some that have been born at the zoo. Speaking of bears, the Polar Bear Plunge® is one of the largest exhibits of its kind in the world. Brrrrrr.
The Reptile House and Reptile Mesa are home to some pretty scaly folks with and without legs - find tortoise, snakes, frogs, iguanas and even a salamander or two. The Owens Rain Forest Aviary is for the birds - 200 or more - set against the backdrop of a Southeast Asian rainforests, while the Wings of Australasia showcase birds from the tropical climates of both countries.
The Children's Zoo gives little ones a chance to actually touch animals, enjoy the beauty of gardens and those that live in its midst - and sometimes even encounter Dr. Zoolittle.
The zoo offers a number of additional ways to explore the grounds: a guided bus tour covers a large portion of the park, a miniature railroad (fee), Skyfari® aerial tram or a VIP tour (fee). Gardeners will also find plenty to see while at the zoo, as there are more than one million plants.
Hours: daily 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission.
Location: just north of downtown in Balboa Park. From Interstate 5 (I-5) southbound, take Pershing Dr. exit and follow the signs. From Interstate 15 (I-15), take Route 163 south, exit Park Blvd./I-5 south exit. Turn left on Park. The zoo entrance is off Park at Zoo Place.
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