Los Angeles Zoo

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Los Angeles California, USA. It is owned and operated by the city. The zoo opened its doors on November 28, 1966 and has 133 acres. Over 1.5 million visitors come to the zoo each year. The Los Angeles Zoo has over 1,100 mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles of more then 250 different species. Twenty-nine of those are on the endangered list. The botanical collection includes over 800 different plant species with over 7,400 individual plants. http://www.laavenue.com/zoo.htm

One of the features of the Los Angeles Zoo is the Campo Gorilla Reserve. This forested habitat has two separate troops of gorillas that include seven western lowland gorillas in all. Another feature is the Sea Life Cliffs, which houses a group of harbor seals. The habitat is extensively adorned with two saltwater pools, rocky coves and water viewing locations as well as a seating area for observers.

An area devoted to koalas is Australia. This area also includes kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas. Jane Goodall praised the Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, a one-acre home to the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States. It includes a penthouse with heated bedrooms and an outdoor playground. Dragons of Komodo feature the world’s largest lizard and represent their native environment. At a children’s area called Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, kids can explore a cave, desert trail or see prairie dogs.

Some unique animals to see are the Sumatran tiger, Visayan warty pigs, yellow footed rock wallaby, Cape griffon vulture, Chacoan peccary, snow leopard, mandrill, okapi, mountain tapir, Coquerel’s sifaka and one of the largest flocks of flamingos in a zoo in the world.http://www.lazoo.org/about/

Tickets to the Los Angeles Zoo are priced at $14 for adults, $11 for seniors and $9 for children aged 2 to 9. Children under age 2 are admitted free. Group rate tickets are available for parties of 15 or more. The zoo is open every day of the year, except December 25 and operating hours are from 10 am to 5 pm Pacific Time.http://www.lazoo.org/visit/

The zoo also offers guided tours. Member tours, school, group and family tours can be planned with the required advance reservations by calling 323/644-4253. The Los Angeles Zoo offers special interaction with barnyard animals in the Winnick family Foundation Children’s Zoo. They also have Animals & You presentations, which include some of the smaller animals.http://www.lazoo.org/visit/shows_activities.html

Memberships to the zoo range in price from $45 to $1,000+. The Family Membership is $75 per year and permits two adults and children or grandchildren. Discounts at gift shops and restaurants are included in the membership.http://www.lazoo.org/membership/categories_benefits.html Another program offered by the zoo is the Animals Depend On People, Too. This program allows animal adoptions for various animals in the zoo. Donors received a personalized adoption certificate, animal fact sheet, photo and other benefits.http://www.lazoo.org/