Visit The Bronx Zoo In NYC

The Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in theaward-winning three acre home for Siberian tigers;
United States, comprised of 265 acres of naturalHimalayan Highlands, a one-acre habitat authentically
habitats and over 4,000 animals. The Zoo was openeddecorated by a Tibetan monk; Baboon Reserve, with
on November 8, 1899 and was focused ona simulated archaeological dig; the Bengali Express, a
conservation-something it still practices today. Thetwo-mile monorail ride through various habitats; the
Bronx Zoo is owned and operated by the WildlifeAquatic Birdhouse; the Giraffe Building, and the World
Conservation Society (formerly known as the Newof Reptiles. The Children's Zoo features a variety of
York Zoological Society) and was one of the firstinteractive activities, such as climbing a spider's web,
zoos in America that moved animals from cages tocrawling through a prairie dog tunnel, slithering like a
sprawling, replicated living environments. Species arelizard down a hollow tree, and, of course, a petting zoo.
mixed to create a more realistic environment for theThe zoo has a special relationship with bison and snow
animals and the zoo patrons. The Zoo charges entryleopards. The bison model for the buffalo nickel was a
fees to assist in the upkeep and preservation of theBronx Zoo resident. Furthermore, many of today's
exhibit's species.bison in the Western U.S. are descendents of Bronx
One of the jewels of the Bronx Zoo is the CongoZoo bison. William T. Hornaday cultivated a deep
Gorilla Forest, which features over 400 animals and 55interest in the American bison, which once numbered
different species (and 22 gorillas), as well as 15,000over 50 million. In the 1890s, less than 1,000 bison were
plants representing 400 species. The 6.5 acre forest isthought to exist in the wild. In October of 1899,
the largest man-made rainforest in the world. TheHornaday acquired bison for the Bronx Zoo and
Congo Gorilla Forest is also home to Patty Cake, thebegan to build a herd. By 1907, the Bronx Zoo was
first gorilla ever born in New York City. Additionally, theable to ship fifteen bison to Oklahoma's Wichita
Bronx Zoo has almost an acre of indoor AsianMountain Preserve. Shortly thereafter, bison were
rainforest. Another interesting habitat is the Africanprovided to Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
Planes habitat, where the zoo workers haveMany of the bison in the Western U.S today are
integrated a number of predator/prey speciesdescended from the bison at the Bronx Zoo. Likewise,
separated by an elaborate system of moats. Lions,the Bronx Zoo was the first zoo in the Western
zebras, giraffes, and other savannah-dwelling animalsHemisphere to exhibit and successfully breed snow
live in this habitat.leopards; a total of 82 cubs were born between 1966
Other attractions include World of Darkness, an indoorand 1999.
exhibit devoted to nocturnal animals; Tiger Mountain, an