Spending a day with the animals can be fun, but few people have the money to go on an African safari or a rainforest trek. The cheaper alternative is still as fun, educational and entertaining: the Denver Zoo.
The zoo is home to almost 4,000 animals, representing over 700 species. It is one of the most popular zoos in America.
The most interesting large exhibits at the Denver Zoo are the “Primate Panorama” and “Tropical Discovery.” Both have been open for over a year, but are still being changed and improved.
“Tropical Discovery” is home to animals such as snakes, bats, eels, turtles and many tropical fish. It also houses frogs, spiders, crocodiles and the popular Komodo Dragon.
Tropical discovery is designed to resemble ruins in a rainforest, which means that it is kept very warm and quite humid.
“Primate Panorama” consists of seven acres of monkeys and apes. The gorillas are the most popular attraction. Housed in their one-acre indoor/outdoor exhibit, they have ropes, hammocks and trees to occupy their time. The gorillas’ habitat is one of the biggest captive gorilla habitats in the world.
Other primates in residence are baboons, orangutans and many types of tree-dwelling monkeys. All of them have large open-air habitats, as well as covered or indoor places for them to go when the weather is bad.
The Denver Zoo participates in multiple conservation projects, including the “Species Survival Plan.” This involves the trading of species between zoos, and captive breeding projects. The zoo focuses on the successful breeding of endangered species, as well as other animals.
To take care of the animals in the best possible way, the zoo has an adopt-an-animal program, which is open to everyone. People can sponsor an animal to ensure that it gets the care and love it needs. The adoption program ranges from $25 to $2,000.
There are also many exciting daily shows, as well as animal feedings. Visitors can watch the birds, sea lions and penguins being fed by the zoo workers, and sometimes even participate.
The Wild Encounters shows, which occur every weekend through October, also involve the audience.
There are bird and mammal shows, camel encounters and reptile shows. There are also storytellers, dancers and musicians from Africa.
The Denver Zoo is located at 2300 Steele Street, which is about a 15-minute drive from the University of Denver.
It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day from April 1 to Sep. 30. From Oct. 1 to March 31, it is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The ticket prices are $9 for adults from April through Sep. and $7 from Oct. through March. Children’s tickets are $5 from April to Sep. and $4 from Oct. to March.
Going to the zoo is a great way to spend a bright, sunny day. The majority of it is outside, so it’s a good idea to bring sunscreen and water. There are food stands, picnic tables and many places to sit in the shade.
Anyone interested in animals, interested in learning more about animals or interested in conservation projects will be pleased with the Denver Zoo. For more information, visit the Denver Zoo’s web site: www.denverzoo.org.
