The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska . To help you determine the best and most ethical zoos in the U.S., the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) came up with a list of AZA-accredited locations that provide excellent care for animals and a better future for all living things. Show Me More What is the #1 zoo in the USA? However, the space re-opened a few years later under a new name, but with few visible changes. But now, a new dominant force is changing the face of This zoo is also known for breeding programs, especially with the rare Giant Panda. Three Pandas currently live at the zoo, while six others have been bred there and returned to China. Anyone can come and say hello to its animals, including African lions and pygmy hippos, for absolutely nothing. It's documented that abuse occurs in zoos, because wild animals are difficult to manage. This Oklahoma zoo features a range of wild animals, but the biggest attraction by far are the big cats. Petting zoos are a fun way to interact with animals, but they also raise some ethical concerns. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the facilitys operation, including animal welfare and well-being; veterinary care; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; financial stability; risk management; guest services; and other areas. Valerie TaylorPhoenixThe writer is the executive director of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. The Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle struck me as very well done. Thats right. These scientists at SCBI are actively studying and breeding more than 20 species, from clouded leopards to red pandas. On a more local level, visitors can come to visit the diverse wildlife in the park and even sleep overnight, thanks to itsunique camping program. From this list, we selected 14 of the most popular zoos in the U.S., according to the AZA, to make your next visit a little easier to plan. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Any zoo, aquarium, or amusement park that houses animals and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Overall, you'll feel good about your choice to visit this zoo, plus admission is free. They have successful breeding programs with endangered species, including the guam kingfisher which is extinct in the wild. You'll usually find her in an airport. Our research provides strong support for the value of zoos in connecting people with animals and with nature. This snowy space is also a rescue for polar bears, focusing on injured and orphaned polar bear cubs - the only one of its kind in the country. Many go above and beyond to ensure animal welfare, protect endangered species, revive dwindling populations through captive breeding programs, and educate people on the plight of some of the world's rarest creatures. A connection is made to a world beyond our own that will live with them forever. What is the #1 zoo in the world? To learn more, visit www.aza.org. "Blunt and sweeping indictments of zoos and aquariums fail to account for how ethical institutions enrich and ultimately protect the lives of . Voted the best zoo in Europe for five years in a row, this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site is home for more than 700 species of animals. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/03/opinion/letters/zoos-animals.html. The elephant was then put in an isolated enclosure and displayed to the public, while the usual protocol should have been to bottle feed the baby in privacy and under close observation. For example, they place the snow leopards in solidarity where it is most comfortable, opposed to the orangutans, who are placed with others as they are social creatures. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has been on a continual path of improvement, constantly examining its practices related to animal care and conservation throughout the world. Zoos can be controversial, however, manyprovide the opportunity for people to learn about the global environment and work to help preserve critical species for generations to come. As you'd expect from the largest theme park in the world, Disney's Animal Kingdom has plenty of animals living on its 580 acres. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Top 10 Zoos To Visit That Won't Make You Feel Guilty, Is Keeping Wild Animals In Zoos Unethical? In the process, cameras visit some of the world's harshest and most extreme habitats, while also heading to many facilities where animals are kept, from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia to London and . Activists are increasingly frustrated that the Natural Bridge Zoo remains open at all, and with continuing violations, its likely that this one wont last much longer. This is only a few cases of unethical treatment, we can only imagine how unobserved zoos treat their animals. In addition to the conservationist credentials, Indianapolis has some incredible experiences for guests, including an opportunity to swim with dolphins and create paintings with animal artistes (and the help of the zookeepers, of course). Some of the projects the zoo has taken on include trying to revive the Great Lakes Piping Plover through incubating abandoned eggs, and working to rehabilitation African penguins chicks that are abandoned at birth. The zoo is divided into world regions, and features a range of educational activities (including a summer camp and overnight camps) as well as some more purely recreational activities (like the Sahara Golf Club). Riverside Discovery Center, Neb. 9. They are committed to answering some of nature's most complex questions and challenged and using that information to better the lives and wellbeing of the animals. This Anchorage zoo is somewhat unusual, because unlike many of the biggest and best zoos in the country that feature a wide range of habitats for all kinds of animals, the Alaska Zoo focuses purely on arctic and sub-arctic creatures. Yorks Wild Animal Park is for sale in Maine if anyone wants to buy it. Each year the zoo brings in about 1.9 million visitors and its focus is on conservation and repopulation. And if the ice melts, the seas are going to rise and flood those cities. But she underestimates the educational value of zoos. National Zoological Gardens Pretoria, South Africa. What do you mean by 'remarkable care and enclosure sizes'? The zoo has a strong commitment to conservation, research, and education. In addition to housing nearly 500 animal species, the Saint Louis Zoo is recognized worldwide for its innovative approach to animal care and wildlife conservation. Here are 20 of the best zoos that work hard to make the world a better place for people and animals. Image credit: Trabantos/Shutterstock.com Voted the best zoo in Europe for five years in a row, this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site is home for more than 700 species of animals. The Houston Zoois one of the most popular zoos in America. (Photo courtesy of the Denver Zoo). One hundred percent of the focus of our organization and its member sanctuaries is on the humane care of their animals. Philadelphia Zoo, PA. Singapore Zoo, Singapore. The 6m primate house that opened . Animals despise being captives in zoos. 26 facilities were accredited and two certified during the Fall 2017 Cycle. Salt Lake City has the oldest aviary in the country, the Tracy Aviary. Even among good zoos, you might find the odd dodgy enclosure, there's usually reasons but it's good to research. The 84-acre zoo that is home to lions, zebras and elephants was joined alongside world renown facilities such as the San Diego Zoo, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. Pro: Zoos can improve the lives of wild animals. Jenny Gray . The Melbourne Zoo, a nonprofit organization, is another spectacular place to see your favorite animals and even get personal with a few species with itsexclusive animal encounters program. Known as a rainforest zoo, the Singapore zoo offers an open concept at 26- hectares and is home to more than 2,400 animals from over 300 different species; 34 percent are threatened. Since then, its grown and expanded (although, being in the heart of the city, it doesnt have too much room to expand! the ethical and practical issues associated with animal-assisted therapies (AATs). The Bronx Zooopened its doors way back in 1899. Animals such as African lions that bred in captivity were culled (killed) when their numbers exceeded the financial capability of the zoo to feed them. One of the biggest and most famous zoos in the world, San Diego Zoo is set across 100 acres of land in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Their African savanna, with several small herds of varying species of ruminants, is quite large, comparable only to other drive-thru safari parks that Ive visited. The Commission has denied accreditation to 20 facilities. Enter your search query in the field below. AZA requires facilities to complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years to be members of the Association. John FraserSusan ClaytonWesley SchultzDr. They do not buy, sell or trade animals and restrict access to the animals, forgoing the lucrative revenue of general admission and attractions. Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. There are currently 230 AZA-accredited facilities and 12 AZA-certified related facility members throughout the U.S. and in eight other countries. In addition to Australia House (emus, wombats, and kangaroos) and Habitat Africa (giraffes, antelope, and crocodiles), there's an ambassador program where guests can attend zoo chats and demonstrations led by animal care specialists. The show, which airs next year, seeks to "explain how our 1. Reports suggest that many of the animals are in poor health, and Waccatee Zoo made headlines in 2015 when a chimp passed away after being kept in isolation for 25 years, and the zoo claimed that they didnt know about the heart defect that took his life. Using drones to film some of its incredible footage, A Perfect Planet will see us marvel at just how adaptive animals really are, showing flamingos surviving on the corrosive plains of Lake Natron, lions in Kenya whose roaming patterns have been altered by the weather and Aldabra giant tortoises, who face losing their habitats as a result of flooding from the Indian Ocean. Though it can be hard to keep track as the zoo is also home to a rather comprehensive breeding program, helping to save endangered animals from extinction. Although this zoo has Conservation Center baked right into the name, it certainly has a poor track record when it comes to the treatment of elephants. Just three miles west of downtown Portland, you'll find animals walking through reproductions of the African savanna and Arctic tundra. Another elephant who was already in residence at the zoo then contracted a virus from the new arrivals, and sadly passed away as well. I believe that many zoos have been focusing on this more as the years go on." Zoo #proponents argue "the institutions are Godfrey Mchunguzi Oyema, MCIWEM C.WEM, NEBOSH LinkedIn: Are zoos ethical? The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park claims that it is a Tiger rescue, as well as a tourist attraction, but it has been in constant conflict with both PETA and the USDA. And for many at the zoo, this is the backbone of the whole facility. The 84-acre zoo that is home to lions, zebras and elephants was joined alongside world renown facilities such as the San Diego Zoo, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Wash. The entertainment of visitors is crucial, and animals often suffer because of that. This may help, however not every zoo location will be on there as just looked up for the zoos in my area which are all the same group and it only showed the main zoo in the city, not the two others outside of the city. Just make sure to take a little time to learn about the zoosimpressive global conservation workwhile youre there. Activists had hoped that the elephants would go to a sanctuary, but instead, they were shipped to Oklahoma, where both reportedly became ill - and onelost its life outside in the cold. However, those few who gain a serious interest in conservation add up to a lot, given that millions of people visit zoos. The zoology program at my State University of New York campus attracts students for whom zoo visits were the crucial formative experience that led them to major in biological sciences. Cincinnati has recently welcomed another new arrival to the zoo - a baby hippo named Fiona was born here in 2017. Potter Park Zoological Gardens, Mich. The Bronx Zoo tagline says it all: Saving wildlife and wild places. The zoo, which opened its doors in 1916, stretches across 100 acres and is home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals. It's documented that zoos unethically acquire animals, separate animals from their homes and families, and cause suffering in animals. The zoo has a strong commitment to conservation, research, and education. Godfrey Mchunguzi Oyema, MCIWEM C.WEM, NEBOSH on LinkedIn: Are zoos ethical? Thankfully, after the lawsuit, the bears were moved to an appropriate sanctuary. Topeka Zoo, Kan. Its also a place with rich educational activities for visitors of all ages, including school programs and opportunities to spend time with its conservation team. "Oceans, sunlight, weather and volcanoes - together these powerful yet fragile What do we have to do to persuade people that that's the case?". Some readers decry keeping animals in captivity while others tout the educational benefits. LinkedIn The Preservation Station has been repeatedly cited for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), failing to provide adequate medical care, large enough enclosures, and even clean water and protection from the elements. The zoo is home to more than 20,000 animals and works to educate every guest on not only their conservation programs but how individuals can take action, too. "(It's) the most important thing that we do and it's critical to our mission," Kubie said. Boasting as the zoo to have saved, bred, and reintroduced into the wild, the Tanzania Kihansi spray toads, the Bronx Zoo is another AZA zoo that any ethical person will want to visit while in New York. The habitats here are huge and kept as close to natural as possible. List of ethical zoos I was looking for a list that contains zoos with remarkable care and enclosure sizes, but unfortunately my search proved to be quite unsuccessful. All AZA zoos along with the Pittsburgh zoo . Peoria Zoo, Ill. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Wash. Potter Park Zoological Gardens, Mich. Pueblo Zoo, Colo. Racine Zoological Gardens, Wis. Riverside Discovery Center, Neb. Zoos are tools for thinking. That being said, please let me know in the comments the name of zoos or sanctuaries that you believe could serve as a guide or even as a source of inspiration when it comes to proper animal care. Animals from all over the world including wallabies, lions, and dolphins make their home just west of Chicago at the Brookfield Zoo. "A recognition like this a very rewarding for all of us.". TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Three Bears doesnt even count as a zoo - as it is actually (as the name suggests) a store, but has a bear habitat where visitors can feed the bears and take photos of them. For a full list of currently accredited AZA-facilities, please visit https://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list. And a portion of every ticket goes toward continuing the program to assist even more species. Smithsonian National Zoo, MD. Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. The Jersey Zoohas been working for more than six decades to help conserve endangered species and their environments, including through the restoration of wild spaces. 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Two institutions, the Henson Robinson Zoo and the Bidome de Montreal, elected to let their accreditation expire at the end of September to allow for construction and other internal improvements before seeking accreditation for another five years. Speaking during a Zoom interview to celebrate the launch of his new documentary series A Perfect Planet, Sir David exclusively told Tyla that he thinks captive animals are needed - so long as the facilities maintained "the best possible standard" - so that humans can be "aware of their reality". Obviously this is a much more expensive zoo to visit than others, but its worth keeping in mind for animal lovers. You have permission to edit this article. More than 7000 animals from over 800 species call the Columbus Zoo home, including the new addition of three polar bear cubs born in 2016. This zoo was also the first in the country to do away with the traditional bars and cages and start creating naturalistic habitats for the animals that live here, including over 4,000 creatures from over 600 different species. It has even transferred a white rhinoceros born at the park to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, helping to reintroduce the animal to Uganda. Except, of course, they dont allow visitors to drive through on their own. The zoo is home to thousands of animals (including several critically endangered species like black and white ruffed lemurs) and works under the mission to champion the exploration, conservation, sustainable use, appreciation, and enjoyment of South Africas exceptionally rich biodiversity for all South Africans.. There will be no reason to give cows any sort of life at all, except perhaps for a few in zoos and the like (and zoos, of course, raise another set of ethical questions). Chicago Zoological Society is world-renown for its cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation. This is something highlighted again and again by campaigners such as Freedom For Animals and PETA. These zoological institutions receive our Humane Certified seal as they meet or exceed a science-based set of criteria evaluated by independent auditors who have no stake in the outcome of their decision. Are there tragedies? San Diego Zoo was the first to introduce cage-less, open air enclosures that are designed to be as close as possible to the animals natural habitats. Cincinnati Zoo has bred multiple endangered species, including South African cheetahs, Sumatran rhinoceros, western lowland gorillas, Malayan tigers, and Masai giraffes, and was the first zoo to breed California sea lions. Admission to the year-round Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is completely free they just ask that you make a reservation in advance. 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