The 4 Best Animal – Friendly Zoos in the United States

For many adults, the idea of going to a zoo is not as appealing as it is for children. Many people feel that zoos are too crowded, that the food is bad, and that many of the animals seem depressingly unhappy. These concerns were quite legitimate a couple of decades ago, but things have changed for many U.S. zoos, and anyone who hasn’t been to a zoo in 10 or 20 years is in for a pleasant surprise. Many of the modern zoos are designed so that both kids and adults get the most out of the experience, with pleasant design, appealing snacks, and educational opportunities for people of all ages. Perhaps most importantly, many zoos have committed themselves to principles of the “cageless” movement, enhancing the health and happiness of their animals. Visit any one of these four zoos, and you’ll be treated to a perfect modern zoo experience.

4. Bronx Zoo: The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the country, with 265 acres and over 6,000 animals. At this size, it’s one of the few zoos in the country that warrants a multi-day trip. In recent years the zoo has rebuilt many of its habitats to make them more natural and animal-friendly. In addition to the many mammal, fish, and reptile exhibits, one of most popular attractions at the Bronx Zoo is the Butterfly Garden, where visitors can immerse themselves in a lush wilderness full of myriad colorful butterflies.

3. Brookfield Zoo: The Brookfield Zoo, located in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield, 15 miles west of the city, has one of the most extensive collections of indoor animal exhibits in addition to vast outdoor ones that recreate the conditions of jungles, swamps, and Appalachian forests. Visit the Seven Seas Panorama to see one of the best collections of walrus, seals, and dolphins in the country.

2. St. Louis Zoo: The St. Louis Zoo is on the cutting edge of 21st-century animal management practices. The creators of the zoo have gone to great lengths to build wildlife habitats that are as close to the real thing as possible. This has allowed the zoo to take a strong role in the international animal research and preservation movement. The zoo has a number of endangered and near-extinct species, and it also has great exhibitions with perennial favorites such as elephants, giraffes, penguins, and polar bears. Visiting the St. Louis Zoo is as close to a wildlife safari as you can get without travelling across the world.

1. San Diego Zoo: The San Diego Zoo is widely regarded, in the animal preservation community and elsewhere, as the top zoo in the world. Technically comprising both a zoo and a park, the San Diego Zoo is immense, and it definitely can’t be covered in a single day. One of the top attractions is the monorail, which travels for five miles through a teeming wilderness full of free-roaming animals of all kinds. And for anyone concerned with animal preservation, the Zoological Society of San Diego, which works to preserve endangered species, is a great organization to support with your business.  Caterina Christakos