San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo is a famous zoo, a major part of the Balboa Park, in San Diego, California. It is best known for the biggest collections of exotic as well as endangered birds, mammals, and reptiles. The zoo is under the administration of the Zoological Society of San Diego. It was founded in 1916 and currently features around 800+ species of 4, 000 animals. San Diego is also popular for its landscaping. Not only animals but nearly 6,500 species of exotic plants are also present on the zoo grounds. Therefore, adding the best natural diet for the animal species living there.
The cages, animal grottos, and buildings of the San Diego Zoo were designed by the famous local architect, Louis John Gill. In 1937, she designed a birdcage at the San Diego Zoo which later became the largest birdcage in the world. The zoo is given the title of pioneer for bringing the concept of cageless, open-air exhibits that mimics the perfect natural habitat for animals. According to the Species Survival Plan recommendations, animals are exchanged between San Diego Zoo and other zoos in the world on a regular basis.
San Diego Zoo is the most visited point of interest in the US having more than 4 million visitors per year. According to many tourists, it is one of the best zoos across the globe. The most prominent features of the zoo entertainment are the guided bus tour that explores around 75% of the park, and Skyfari. It is the Von Roll type 101 that offers the perfect aerial view of the zoo. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is under the operations of the main zoo which exhibits animals in luxury settings.
The San Diego Zoo is a prominent member of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), as well as the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
Another prominent feature of the San Diego Zoo is the breeding colony of koalas. It is said to be one of the largest ones present outside Australia. Not only this but the zoo also brilliantly maintains the breeding groups of tigers, gorillas, California condors, rhinoceroses, giraffes, hippopotamuses, Galapagos tortoises, as well as many other species. Other notable exhibits include a children’s zoo, walk-through tropical rainforests, a polar bear habitat having a chilled pool, an Asian river environment, and much more.
The San Diego Zoo is also used for commercial purposes. For example, it was the filming location of the famous television series Zoorama. The zoo can also be seen in the 2004 hit movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and the 1979 film Scavenger Hunt.