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Whether or not you are on the lookout for a enjoyable technique to entertain the youngsters or take pleasure in an academic outing, visiting a neighborhood zoo is a superb concept. To discover the nation’s greatest zoo, USA TODAY 10Best invited readers to vote for his or her favorites. These 10 zoos topped the record for USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Alternative Awards’ Finest Zoo of 2023.
No. 10: Indianapolis Zoo – Indianapolis, Indiana
A really walkable zoo within the coronary heart of downtown Indianapolis, per 10Best professional Chez Chesak, the Indianapolis Zoo options quite a lot of animals, together with lions, tigers and bears (oh, my!). Along with viewing the animals of their habitats, the zoo additionally affords plenty of up-close-and-personal animal adventures, reminiscent of bathing elephants and watching penguins paint artwork. Plus, your admission charges to the zoo will assist the zoo in its efforts to save wildlife and wild locations which can be in danger.
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No. 9: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Powell, Ohio
Wildlife from six areas all over the world, together with Australia, the Congo, Asia and North America, name the Columbus Zoo house. The zoo is certainly one of solely two amenities outdoors of Florida to take care of manatees, seen within the Manatee Coast space alongside different rescued animals.
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No. 8: Saint Louis Zoo – St. Louis, Missouri
Located inside one of many nation’s largest city parks, the free-to-the-public Saint Louis Zoo contains a beautiful range of animals – greater than 600 species in complete. The zoo is split into six zones, together with Lakeside Crossing the place the award-winning Sea Lion Sound combines a stellar exhibit expertise with academic displays and exhibits.
No. 7: Audubon Zoo – New Orleans, Louisiana
The Audubon Zoo, located in historic uptown New Orleans, is ranked as one of many metropolis’s high issues to do and affords guests the possibility to see wildlife, together with extremely endangered whooping cranes, Amur leopards and orangutans. Remember to take a look at the award-winning Louisiana Swamp recreation, an exhibit linking the area’s distinct Cajun tradition with the crops and animals of the encompassing habitats. You will have the possibility to look at black bears, alligators, pink foxes, blue crabs, water snakes and a bunch of different animals with a view into the every day lives of those that depend on the swamp for a dwelling.
No. 6: ZooTampa at Lowry Park – Tampa, Florida
Sitting on 56 acres, ZooTampa is house to endangered, threatened and susceptible animal species from such areas as Asia, Africa, Australia and Florida. “This is without doubt one of the most superb zoos in America,” 10Best professional Nikky J says. “Not solely have they got a mission of rescue and rehabilitation, [but] they’re [also] at all times internet hosting occasions to convey the neighborhood of Tampa collectively.” Examples of that programming embody Day of Discovery, a low-sensory morning for people with Autism Spectrum Dysfunction and their households, and Audio system of the Wild, a sequence that options dialogue of wildlife and wild locations.
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No. 5: Brookfield Zoo – Brookfield, Illinois
Since 1934, the Brookfield Zoo has maintained a robust give attention to animal care and conservation of the pure world coupled with animal training. Guests can participate by studying concerning the greater than 2,400 animals from some 500 species that decision the zoo house. Plus, the zoo hosts plenty of academic actions starting from Earth Day celebrations to animal encounters to kids’s camps and different occasions.
No. 4: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Colorado Springs, Colorado
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs connects guests with greater than 750 animals representing 170 species from all corners of the globe. The African Rift Valley exhibit is house to one of many largest zoo giraffe herds on this planet, in addition to pink river hogs, meerkats, African lions and colobus monkeys. Rocky Mountain Wild hosts regional species, like moose, grizzly bears, mountain lions, river otters, porcupines, Mexican grey wolves, bald eagles and lynx. A ski elevate affords stellar views over Colorado Springs.
No. 3: Brevard Zoo – Melbourne, Florida
Dwelling to greater than 900 animals, the AZA-accredited Brevard Zoo takes the zoo-going expertise to adventurous new ranges. Visitors can zip-line by the jungles of South America or kayak by the African savanna or a restored Florida wetland.
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No. 2: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Backyard – Cincinnati, Ohio
The Cincinnati Zoo (one of many oldest zoos within the nation) brings guests nose-to-nose with a variety of thrilling animals. Visitors can view hippos underwater (together with world-famous hippo Fiona), pop up in a bubble amid meerkats or watch cheetahs racing at high speeds. The multi-sensory Evening Hunters exhibit hosts cats and different nocturnal predators, whereas Manatee Springs seeks the long-term conservation of the Florida manatee by encouraging friends to look at these mild giants.
No. 1: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Omaha, Nebraska
Continued investments have allowed Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo to proceed to supply one-of-a-kind reveals to friends, together with the world’s largest indoor desert the place arid crops and animals – meerkats, peccaries, quail, dying adders, rattlesnakes and inland taipans, the world’s most venomous land snake – are seen inside a geodesic dome year-round within the coronary heart of the Midwest. The $73 million African Grasslands exhibit options 28 acres of habitats and exhibit areas for giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs and sable antelopes.
