The Phoenix Zoo has been the largest non-profit zoo in the United States since 1962. With only 125 acres to house them, the Phoenix Zoo has over 1,200 animals on display. The zoo has two and a half miles of walking trails and various other attractions that have attributed to the zoo’s consistent growth year after year. With conservation in mind, the original founder Robert Maytag passed away a couple of months before its opening but the zoo has gone on to become one of the finest in not only the Southwest, but the whole United States. The Phoenix Zoo’s location is convenient to both the suburbs and actual city of Phoenix, making it a great place to spend the day away from your Phoenix apartment.
The Phoenix Zoo is separated into four major themes and trails: the Tropics trail, the African trail, the Arizona trail & the discovery or children’s trail. The Tropics trail showcases Asian elephants, black jaguars, anteaters and a variety of iguanas. The African trail features cheetahs, wild dogs, White Rhinos & African Lions. On the Arizona trail, a couple of the highlights you will see include the coyote, mountain lion, bald eagle and Mexican grey wolf. The children’s trail has a variety of smaller, cuter animals such as the raccoon, porcupine and golden-mantled tamarin.
The conservation efforts of the Phoenix Zoo have been widespread since its opening. In the 1960s, the zoo became one of the first to hold a captive breeding program to help out the nearly-extinct Arabian Oryx back into the wild. Cheetahs are also commonly bred at the Phoenix Zoo resulting in dozens of baby births over the years. The zoo also participates in the Species Survival Plan, focusing its effort on animal husbandry and the conservation of dwindling species. In addition to conservation, the zoo also hosts a treatment program for California condors.
The Phoenix Zoo is a great place to not only bring the children but family and friends as well. Over the years, the zoo has developed into a place that can accommodate and entertain truly any one. Its close relation to many Phoenix apartments makes the zoo an easy day-trip for many in the city. Due to its recent addition of ‘Stingray Bay,’ the zoo now hosts underwater life as well. There are too many reasons not to get out of your apartment in Phoenix and visit the wonderful Phoenix zoo.
