How about a walk on the wild side at the Los Angeles Zoo? Founded in 1966, this 133-acre zoo is home to over 1,400 animals. They represent more than 270 species. The City of Los Angeles owns the zoo. It also owns its land, facilities, and animals.
Before this zoo, there were others. The Eastlake Zoo opened in 1885. Later, the Griffith Park Zoo opened in 1912. It sat just two miles south of where we stand now.
By the early 1990s, the Los Angeles Zoo was falling apart. A water pipe burst in 1992. Half the zoo was left without water. But things turned around. A $300 million master plan was approved. The zoo rebounded under a new director.
Let’s step into Chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains. This exhibit opened in 1998. It is home to a large chimpanzee troop. The hillside exhibit has boulders, palm trees, and even an artificial termite mound. A waterfall flows next to a tall rock ledge. Here, the troop’s leader surveys the area.
Next, we venture to Campo Gorilla Reserve. This opened in 2007. Western lowland gorillas call it home. Guests view these amazing animals through glass observation windows. In 2020, a western lowland gorilla was born here. It was the first birth in over two decades.
Elephants of Asia is another must-see. This $42 million exhibit opened in 2010. It houses Asian elephants and other wildlife. The elephant enclosure spans 3.8 acres. A 16,000-square-foot barn serves as a medical facility. The complex has different areas. Each one represents a country in the elephants’ range.
Prepare to be amazed by The LAIR. It opened in 2012. This exhibit focuses on amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles. You will first pass through the Oak Woodland Pond. Then, you’ll enter the main building. Here, you can see poison dart frogs and Chinese giant salamanders. Betty’s Bite and Squeeze Room houses snakes. The Desert LAIR features species from Mexico and Southern California. Finally, Crocodile Swamp is home to false gharials.
Don’t miss the Red Ape Rain Forest. This exhibit opened in 2000. It is home to Bornean orangutans. The mesh enclosure is shaped like a donut. Hibiscus, bamboo, and rubber trees surround it.
Opened in 2014, Rainforest of the Americas features animals from tropical regions. See the jaguar. Observe the giant river otter. Look up and see the harpy eagle.
The Los Angeles Zoo is also a botanical garden. It has over 7,400 individual plants. They represent over 800 different species. The Los Angeles Zoo is dedicated to conservation. It runs the California Condor Recovery Program. It works to protect the peninsular pronghorn. The Los Angeles Zoo also supports the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Recovery Act. The Los Angeles Zoo is more than just a place to see animals. It is a center for conservation and education. It connects us to the natural world.