Lied Jungle, Desert Dome, Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night, Suzanne and Scott Aquarium, Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, Hubbard Gorilla Valley, Hubbard Orangutan Forest, Scott African Grasslands, Asian Highlands, and Owen Sea Lion Shores.
The zoo is known for its leadership in animal conservation and research. Evolving from the public Riverview Park Zoo established in 1894, today the zoo includes several notable exhibits. "Kingdoms of the Night" is the world's largest nocturnal exhibit and indoor swamp,[6] the "Lied Jungle" is one of the world's largest indoor rainforests, and the "Desert Dome" is one of the world's largest indoor deserts,[7] as well as the largest glazed geodesic dome.[8]
The zoo's mission includes four pillars, "Conservation, Research, Recreation, and Education" which are represented by the four squares in the logo.[9]
History
The desert dome, Imax building, and parking area at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
In 1894, the first animals were exhibited here under the name Riverview Park Zoo. By 1898, the collection had grown to over 120 animals. The Omaha Zoological Society was founded in 1952 to organize the long-term efforts of the zoo. The name was changed to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in 1963, after a $750,000 donation from Margaret Hitchcock Doorly, given with the stipulation that the zoo be renamed in memory of her late husband. Henry Doorly had an influential career the chairman of the World Publishing Company. In addition to the World Publishing Company, the zoo soon connected with another notable Omaha business: Union Pacific. Union Pacific helped the zoo lay down 2.5mi (4.0km) of track in 1968 and the inaugural run of the Omaha Zoo Railroad was made on July 22, 1968.[10]
The zoo has two rides that circumnavigate the property (tram and train): a carousel and the Skyfari, an aerial tram which opened in 2009 and takes visitors from the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion to the lion viewing exhibit.
The zoo is adjacent to the former site of Rosenblatt Stadium. In 2011, the zoo began developing the land at the stadium to become the new parking area and visitor center, leaving a small memorial at the location of home plate. Rosenblatt was replaced by the Charles Schwab Field Omaha downtown.
Zoo timeline
1894: Riverview Park opened.
1898: The park had a varied animal population of over 200 animals.
1920s: Gould Dietz donated cat cages.
1930s: The WPA built cat and bear exhibits.
1952: The Omaha Zoological Society was organized for the improvement and administration of the zoo.
1963: Margaret Hitchcock Doorly donated $750,000 to the zoo with the stipulation that the zoo be named after her late husband, Henry Doorly.
1965: The Omaha Zoological Society was reorganized as a nonprofit organization, and the first phase of the zoo, which included bear grottos, gorilla and orangutan buildings, and Ak-sar-ben Nature Kingdom, was dedicated.
1968: The inaugural run of Omaha Zoo Railroad was in July, and the Eugene C. Eppley Pachyderm Hill opened in November on the old baseball diamond site.
1972: The Ak-Sar-Ben waterfall was constructed; in August, the Owen Sea Lion Pavilion opened, complete with a new concession building, public restrooms, and a gazebo where an old public swimming pool was located.
1973: Owen Swan Valley and the Primate Research Building were completed.
1974: A new diet kitchen and educational classrooms were completed.
1983: The Lee G. Simmons Free-flight Aviary was completed.
1984: A 70,000-US-gallon (260,000L; 58,000impgal) saltwater aquarium opened in what had been the museum.
1985: The gorilla and orangutan buildings were completely renovated and named in honor of the Owen family; Richard Simmons cut the ribbon.
1986: World-Herald Square was completed, and the First Tier Wolf Woods, maintenance building, and hay barn were relocated to the northeast.
1987: The Mutual of OmahaWild Kingdom Pavilion, the visitor services area US West Plaza, and a new main entrance were finished.
1988: Construction began on the Lied Jungle, and the zoo was selected for the endangered black-footed ferret breeding program. The zoo's greenhouse was built near the maintenance shop.
1989: Durham Family's Bear Canyon was added; Doorly's Pride (a heroic bronze sculpture of a pride of 12 lions) was installed in the entry plaza area, and the zoo received the AAZPA Bean Award for its long-term gaur propagation efforts. The black-footed ferret building was constructed.
1990: Dairy World featuring a children's petting zoo, educational exhibits, and concession area, was added, and the world's first in vitro-fertilized tiger was born.
1991: The Birthday House for children's birthday parties and education classes was finished; the world's first artificially inseminated tiger was born at the zoo.
1992: The Lied Jungle opened on April 4, with the attached Durham's TreeTops Restaurant and Education Center. Simmons Plaza near the main entrance was completed.
1993: The old aquarium was closed and construction of the new aquarium began. The zoo received two AAZPA awards: the Conservation Award for the black-footed ferret management program and the Significant Achievement Award for the Lied Jungle. The world's first artificially inseminated gaur calf was born.
1994: The Union Pacific Engine House for the Omaha Zoo Railroad was added.
1995: The Walter and Suzanne Scott Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium was opened. The zoo had more than 1.6 million visitors, and land was acquired for an off-site breeding facility and drive-through park. Construction began on the IMAX 3D Theater, and the zoo participated in the propagation of the world's first in vitro gorilla birth (Timu was born at the Cincinnati Zoo).
1996: The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research was completed, and Timu, the world's first in vitro gorilla moved to Omaha's zoo.
1999: Sue's Carousel was added, construction began on the world's largest desert dome, and the zoo hosted a temporary Komodo dragon exhibit.
2000: The new North Entrance Plaza was completed, featuring a new gift shop, warehouse, entrance plaza, and visitor gazebo. The zoo joined the Okapi Species Survival Program, allowed it to be one of 14 zoos in North America to display rare okapi; a traveling koala exhibit visited the zoo.
2001: Cheetah Valley, and new bongo and tree kangaroo exhibits were constructed, and the zoo hosted a traveling white alligator exhibit.
2002: Desert Dome was finished, and construction began on Hubbard Gorilla Valley.
2003: Kingdoms of the Night, featuring various nocturnal habitats, opened beneath the Desert Dome.
2004: Hubbard Gorilla Valley was opened, and a tower with two high-capacity elevators were added to take visitors from the main level of the zoo near the Desert Dome down 44ft. to Hubbard Gorilla Valley.
2005: The Hubbard Orangutan Forest opened in two phases in May and August; a giraffe feeding station opened in the spring; and construction began on an addition to the Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research.
2006: A new Guest Services building and two additional gates at the main entrance were added; the Hubbard Research wing expansion to the Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research opened in July; and the Budgie Encounter was finished.
2007: Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Pavilion was transformed into the Exploration Station, and construction on the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion began.
2009: Skyfari, a chairlift connecting the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion to the old African rangeland exhibit area.
2010: Expedition Madagascar opened.U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes, Horizon performing at the zoo, 2011
2012: Scott Aquarium reopened after renovations, Rosenblatt Stadium demolished by the zoo, and the zoo renamed Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
2013: A new gift shop opened, the IMAX facility was remodeled, and the Infield At The Zoo and Gateway to the Wild exhibits were completed.
2014: Stingray Beach opened to the public. The seasonal interactive exhibit, located by Sue's Carousel, allows visitors to touch and feed cownose, Atlantic and Southern stingrays. Camel rides, also located by Sue's Carousel, opened to the public. Construction on Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's largest project, the African Grasslands, begins."[11]
2016: Six African elephants arrived at the zoo from Eswatini's Hlane Royal National Park to survive a drought on March 11.[12][13] On May 27, African Grasslands opened after two years of construction. This, coupled with Memorial Day weekend, caused what local media dubbed "Zoopocalypse". Within two hours of opening the zoo saw over 8,000 visitors enter the main gates; a normal Sunday sees 4–5,000 people all day. Hours later, the entrance count was up to over 20,000 people.
2018: Bay Family Children's Adventure Trails opens.
2020: Owen Sea Lion Shores Attraction opened on September 4.[14]
2021: Hubbard Gorilla Valley, Expedition: Madagascar and Hubbard Orangutan Forest underwent extensive renovations and reopened July 3.[15]
2023: African bull elephant, Callee, transferred to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, to breed with its female elephants. He joined them in late May.[16]
Major exhibits
African Grasslands
White rhinoceros at the zooGrevy's zebra
After six years of planning and three years of construction, the 28-acre, $73 million African Grasslands exhibit opened to the public May 27, 2016, over the zoo's former eastern boundary area and Pachyderm Hill exhibits.[17]
In 2017, Warren the African elephant unexpectedly died. He was the only male of the six African elephants that arrived at the zoo from Eswatini.[18] In May 2019, the Birmingham Zoo's male African bush elephant Callee joined the herd of five female elephants to breed with them.[19] In January 2022, two baby elephants, Eugenia and Sonny, were born to two of the females, Kiki and Claire respectively.[20] In March 2022, the zoo announced a third female was pregnant; Lolly would go on to give birth to a male calf in March 2023.[21][22]
A new exhibit built on previously undeveloped space, the Asian Highlands area is a $22 million, 8-acre recreation of the highlands of central Asia, including India and China, designed to simulate a mountain ascent, featuring species native to the region as well as a Yeti Camp, acting as a hub for visitors with themed food and gift options, and a Kid's Discovery Trail.[23] The first phase of the exhibit opened in the spring of 2018 and the second phase opened in the spring of 2019.[24] Species in the exhibit include:
The Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion opened in 2008. The Pavilion is a 14,000-square-foot (1,300m2) total-immersion exhibit located between the Scott Aquarium and the Giraffe Complex. Viewed from the sky, the exhibit resembles a winged insect. The building features several exhibits:
Butterfly Conservatory: The 2,450-square-foot (228m2) area features 10-foot (3.0m)-high glass sidewalls to allow the maximum amount of light inside the exhibit. Natural light, large trees, rocks, and water elements simulate a natural habitat and help stimulate natural butterfly behaviors.
Conservation Promenade: Located in the Butterfly Conservatory, the promenade winds past waterfalls and over streams, through vegetation, and loops around the giant Amazon water lily pool. The pool features a stilt root tree supporting a floating walkway through the roots for a close view of the giant South American water lilies. Species of butterflies and moths include the blue Morpho, zebra longwing, and painted ladies. Microhabitats are displayed along the Conservation Promenade featuring endangered amphibians the Zoo is currently working with in response to the global amphibian crisis. Visitors must stop in a mirrored room to check for butterflies before exiting.
Chrysalis Hatching Room: A 220-square-foot (20m2) area where butterflies and moths in their chrysalis or cocoon stage will be brought in from all over the world. Inside, they are carefully hung in hatching chambers where visitors can watch them complete their metamorphosis. The 510-square-foot (47m2) entry hallway leading into the insect wing contains several displays, such as a locust colony and a Halloween moon crab, along with interactive learning opportunities.
Insect Zoo: This 2,413-square-foot (224.2m2) area has a 5-foot (1.5m) high glass sidewall on top of a 7-foot (2.1m) solid wall to allow more intensive exhibit work. Individual micro-habitats are home to ants, spiders, scorpions, walking sticks, mantids, centipedes, roaches, beetles and other animals. In the center of this room, two bird exhibits house other exotic species such as tropical hummingbirds.
Lower Level: Features two rooms, approximately 1,085-square-foot (100.8m2), used for rearing butterflies and culturing insect colonies. Another 542-square-foot (50.4m2) room is used to maintain plants that are being rotated through the butterfly display. A 1,161-square-foot (107.9m2)frog breeding and rearing facility houses the most threatened amphibians. The rooms can be viewed through windows from the Giraffe Observation Walk that circles the building and allow Zoo visitors a look behind the scenes. This same path has numerous native butterfly gardens.
Desert Dome
The exterior of the Desert Dome during the winter season
The Desert Dome opened in April 2002 at a cost of $31.5 million (includes Kingdoms of the Night). It is one of the world's largest indoor deserts at around 42,000ft2 (0.96 acres; 3,900m2).[25] Beneath the Desert Dome is the Kingdoms of the Night, and both levels make up a combined total of 84,000sqft (1.9 acres; 7,800m2). The Desert Dome has geologic features from deserts around the world: Namib Desert of southern Africa, Red Center of Australia, and the Sonoran Desert of the southwest United States.
In addition to being one of the world's largest indoor deserts, the Desert Dome's geodesic dome is also the largest 'glazed' geodesic dome. The dome is 137ft (42m) above the main level and 230ft (70m) in diameter. The 1,760 acrylic windows with four shades (some clear) were placed to allow maximum shade in the summer and maximum light in the winter to reduce energy costs.[25]
Expedition Madagascar opened May 7, 2010, and has many animals including lemurs, straw-coloured fruit bats, and giant jumping rats. The building allows visitors to learn about Madagascar, an area considered one of the top hotspots for biodiversity because it is home to the largest number of endemic plant and animal species. Each exhibit is linked to ongoing projects in Madagascar and conservation efforts that the zoo's Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership has been active in since 1998. It underwent extensive renovations in 2021 during a closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and reopened in July 2021. Animals in the exhibit include:
The Hubbard Gorilla Valley is a gorilla exhibit named after Dr. Theodore Hubbard, a cardiologist from Omaha. It opened on April 8, 2004, at a cost of $14 million. Prior to being expanded and rebuilt, the Hubbard Gorilla Valley was the Owen Gorilla House. It underwent extensive renovations in 2021, while the exhibit was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and reopened in July 2021.
The Hubbard Orangutan Forest opened in two phases during 2005; the first phase was opened in May, and the second phase opened in late summer at a cost of $8.5 million. The first phase is the outdoor habitat that includes two 65-foot (20m)-tall, 100-short-ton (91-metric-ton)Banyan trees interconnected with vines enclosed by a stainless steel netting. It underwent extensive renovations in 2021, while the exhibit was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and reopened in July 2021. A 20-foot (6.1m)waterfall is named after Claire Hubbard, the Orangutan Forest's primary donor. The second phase, the indoor habitat has 3,126ft2 (0.07 acres; 290m2) of floor space. The Hubbard Orangutan Forest recently underwent extensive renovations and fully re-opened in June 2024. The expansion includes an all-new indoor/outdoor siamang exhibit, an updated elevator building and plaza, a café, a walkway, and a seating area.[26]
The Walter and Suzanne Scott Aquarium, a public aquarium, opened on April 1, 1995, at a cost of $16 million.[27] The building has 71,000sqft (6,600m2) and contains a total of 1,200,000USgal (4,500,000L; 1,000,000impgal) of water.[28] The exhibit was first renovated in 2011, and opened again on April 5, 2012. It is one of the largest in-zoo aquariums in the world.
It features displays of aquatic habitats from polar regions, temperate oceans, the flooded Amazon rainforest, and coral reefs. The 450,000USgal (1,700,000L; 370,000impgal)shark tank features a 70ft (21m)shark tunnel at the bottom of the 17ft (5.2m)-deep tank.[28] This tank features sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and coral reef fish. An additional 450,000USgal (1,700,000L; 370,000impgal) is attached to the public portion and institutes a holding and quarantine tank. Other tanks include multiple species of jellyfish, a Giant pacific octopus and open-ocean schooling fish. Another addition is a touch tank which allows visitors to feel the textures of various starfish, shells, and possibly a chain catshark or one of its empty eggs. The only freshwater display is of the Amazon rainforest that includes fish, invertebrates, turtles, and a toucan.
The aquarium features aquatic animals from around the world, including:
The Eugene T. Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night opened beneath the Desert Dome in April 2003 at a cost of $31.5 million (includes Desert Dome). Kingdoms of the Night is the world's largest nocturnal animal exhibit [25] at 42,000ft2 (0.96 acres; 3,900m2). Both the Kingdoms of the Night and the Desert combine to a total of 84,000sqft (1.9 acres; 7,800m2). The Kingdoms of the Night features a wet cave (with a 14ft or 4.3m deep aquarium), a canyon, an African diorama, a eucalyptus forest, a dry batcave, and a swamp. The swamp is also the world's largest indoor swamp.[29] The Kingdoms of the Night logo is a sign that has owl eyes.
Some of the animals found at the Kingdom of the Night include:
The Lied Jungle opened on April 4, 1992, at a cost of $15 million.[30] It is one of the largest indoor rainforest exhibits in the world; it occupies an 80-foot (24m) tall building that spans 1.5 acres (0.61ha) and is located just inside the main entrance. This exhibit allows visitors to look out from behind a 50-foot (15m)-tall waterfall.
Inside are 123,000ft2 (2.82 acres; 11,400m2) of floor space, of which 61,000ft2 (1.4 acres; 5,670m2) are planted exhibit space; 35,000ft2 (0.8 acres; 3,250m2) are a display management area; and 11,000ft2 (0.25 acres; 1,020m2) are an education area.[30]
Visitors can walk along a trail on the floor of the jungle, as well as on a walkway around and above the animals. The exhibit was (at least partially) closed between 2020 and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of July 2023, the Lied Jungle exhibit had been fully re-opened to the public.[31] Both levels are split into sections by continent, including Asia, Africa, and South America.
Along both trails, about 90 species can be found, including:
Visitors to the jungle can view the indoor jungle through 90ft (27m) of floor-to-ceiling windows at the Durham's TreeTops Restaurant, which is next to the jungle. A portion of the electrical power needed for the jungle is provided by natural gasfuel cells. The jungle has won several awards, including "Single best zoo exhibit in the country" in 1994 by the Family Life Magazine; "Significant Achievement Award for Exhibit Design" in 1993 by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums; "Top ten designs in the world" in 1992 by Time, and "Top eight US engineering accomplishments" in 1992 by the National Society of Professional Engineers[32]
The Owen Sea Lion Shores opened on September 4, 2020, costing $27.5 million.[14][33] The one-acre exhibit replaced the Durham Family Bear Canyon, and the smaller Owen Sea Lion Pavilion. It features a 275,000-gallon saltwater pool with natural wave chambers, shallow beaches for young pups learning to swim, fish feeders that release fish and calamari at random times and places in the exhibit encouraging hunting behavior, a shaded seating area with a capacity of up to 170, and an underwater viewing cavern.
The Simmons Aviary opened in 1983, and is the world's third-largest free-flight aviary. It is home to about 500 birds from around the world. The Aviary is 800 feet (240m) long and rises to 75 feet (23m) at the center. The structure is covered with 142,000sqft (13,200m2) of two-inch nylon mesh that is supported by a system of cables and poles. The use of nylon instead of wire is a unique concept to modern aviaries.[34]
A female peahen and her chicks freely roam the zoo's grounds.
Situated inside the zoo's main entrance, the 21,000-square-foot (2,000m2) Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Pavilion was completed in the spring of 1987. The building currently houses reptiles, insects, amphibians, and small mammals, while also providing business offices, a 312-seat multimedia auditorium, and classrooms.
The Wild Kingdom Pavilion has been partially transformed into the Exploration Station exhibit, serving as a safari-themed "Trail Head" where visitors begin their "wild" adventure at Omaha's zoo. Mutual of Omaha's Exploration Station includes a detailed interactive map of the zoo and video previews of major attractions, as well as information on the History of the Zoo. The center of the Pavilion features a 20-foot (6m)-high netted tree, with free-flying birds. Below the tree includes water displays with turtles, archer fish, and more. The building's original public area, or living classroom, contains what is known as the Small Animal Collection. This area houses part of the zoo's reptile collection, as well as a large number of invertebrates. The animal collection represents the tremendous diversity in the animal kingdom, and includes tarantulas, turtles, snakes, hedgehogs, and other small animals.
Stingray Beach
Stingray Beach features a shallow saltwater pool where visitors can touch and feed three species of stingray; Cownose, Southern, and Atlantic. The area also features turf green space, art sculptures installed prior to the demolition of Bear Canyon, and a small event center.
Other exhibits
The zoo also features Lozier IMAX Theater, Glacier Bay Landing, a Budgie Encounter in the Adventure Trails children's play area. Peacocks, peahens, and peachicks wander freely throughout the zoo, often spotted nesting near the Desert Dome.
The Cat Complex opened in 1977 at a cost of $2.5 million. The complex had 11 indoor enclosures and 10 outdoor enclosures with a claimed capacity of up to 100 cats.[35] The building was the largest cat-breeding and management facility in North America.[35] The Cat Complex was awarded the "Edward H. Bean Award" (1994) for tiger husbandry by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.[35] Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is known worldwide for its work in the field of artificial insemination of large cats. The zoo's 15-year master plan, composed in 2010, called for the elimination of the Cat Complex along with the overhauling of several other exhibits. Going forward, animals at the zoo are grouped not by their genetic relatives, but by regions of the world.[36] The exhibit was closed permanently in 2019 and demolished in 2022 as the cats located in the Cat Complex were relocated to new exhibits in the African Grasslands and Asian Highlands, or at other zoos and sanctuaries.
The complex contained nine species from the family Felidae:
The Durham Family Bear Canyon opened in 1989 at a cost of $1.4 million.[37] The canyon had a large 30,000-U.S.-gallon (25,000impgal; 110,000L) tank for polar bears. Having previously housed four bear species – the polar bear, the American black bear, the sun bear and the spectacled bear, it was closed and demolished in 2018 to make room for Owen Sea Lion Shores.
Red Barn Park
The Red Barn Park was a petting zoo that opened in 1966.[38] It included numerous domesticated animals including goats and cattle and was particularly noteworthy because of the large red barn that could be found in the area. It was demolished in 2018 and replaced with the Glacier Bay Landing area which opened in the spring of 2019.[38] Many of the animals found in the exhibit were transferred to the Children's Adventure Trails.
Conservation
Amphibian Conservation Area
The zoo's Amphibian Conservation Area opened following the 2005 release of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Global Amphibian Assessment, as in-depth status report on the world's 8,000-plus known frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians, which declared amphibians as the most significantly threatened group of vertebrates in the world. The mission of the behind-the-scenes area, which is not accessible to visitors, is to address wild amphibian decline by continually advancing conservation efforts through evolving welfare, reproduction, collaboration, and reintroduction.
The 3,800 square-foot facility features 13 temperature-controlled rooms, a specialized wastewater treatment system, insect culturing area and thorough disinfection protocols to ensure the entire space remains pathogen-free. With only three full-time keepers, the Amphibian Conservation Area has supported the release of more than 121,000 amphibians to date.
Population status: Since 1994, the species has declined across much of the western United States, extending north to Alaska with a genetically distant and declining population at southern Utah's Paunsaugunt Plateau.
Recovery program involvement: 1995 – Present
Contribution to the species: 3,877 individuals released with releases planned annually
Population status: The most critically endangered frog species in the United States and presently known to only survive in Mississippi's Harrison and Jackson Counties. At one point, possibly less than 75 adults remained in the wild.
Recovery program involvement: 2008 – Present (Zoo has had animals since 2004.)
Contribution to the species: 792 individuals released with releases planned annually
Amphibian Rescue and Translocation Program for Native Species
Status: Ground-breaking construction projects, day-to-day exhibit maintenance, weather events and other unforeseen circumstances can put amphibians native to the area in harm's way. After discovering a population of American toads living on grounds, zoo staff routinely survey the entire property in search of these and other amphibian species, sometimes in the early stages of life, who need care or need to be relocated to a safer environment to thrive.
Contribution to the species: 3,480 individuals released
Research
The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research is a world-class research center at the zoo. The center has discovered several new species. The world's first in vitro-fertilized (IVF, "test-tube") gorilla resides at the zoo. The world's first artificially inseminated tiger was born in Omaha in 1991, followed by the world's first artificially inseminated gaur. The original 16,448-square-foot (1,528.1m2) facility was constructed in 1996.[39] In 2006, it underwent a $6 million expansion which brings the total space to 32,000sqft (3,000m2).[39]
The Omaha Zoo Railroad is a 2.5-mile (4.0km), 2ft6in (762mm)narrow gaugetrain that loops through the zoo. The railroad began operations on July 22, 1968, after the track was laid down by the Union Pacific railroad. The train operates with one of two oil-powered steam locomotives. Riva is about twice as powerful as the #119 (although it is almost 80 years older) and is regularly used on weekends when more visitors are present. The #119 is the original locomotive for the zoo. A new diesel locomotive arrived in September 2008. This diesel is a 2-axle Plymouth locomotive and is used for switching operations of the passenger cars and other railroad-related projects.
Kenefick Train Station
1890 "Riva", CFR #395-104
1957 "VIRGIE"
1968 #119
Tram
The tram is a trackless tram that drives on the walkway paths around the zoo. It has four stops:
By the Desert Dome (top of the hill)
Between the elephant/zebra yard and pygmy goat corral
By the playground near the sea lions
Between the carousel and Alaskan Adventure splashpad
Skyfari
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium opened the Skyfari in 2009. It is an aerial tram that runs from one stop at the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion to the lion platform. It goes over the African veldt (ostriches and giraffes), cheetahs, the railroad tracks, the Garden of the Senses, the koi lagoon, and the lions.
Carousel
A carousel is available on which visitors can ride handcrafted recreations of wild animals. In 2021, it was moved to the Glacier Bay area which has been recently renovated.
Educational programs
External videos
Virtual Tour – a 2022 pictorial tour of the major exhibits (metroTV, full video)
Major zoo educational programs include on-site preschool and high school courses, internships, and volunteer work. Other programs include field trips, guided tours, educator workshops, and ambassador animal presentations. Other educational programming includes overnight campouts, scouting events, summer camps, birthday parties, and on-site speakers.[11]
Related Research Articles
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a zoo and safari park in San Diego, California, located in San Pasqual Valley. The park houses over 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species. It houses a large array of wild and endangered animals from every continent except Antarctica. The park also includes a botanical garden with over one million plants.
London Zoo, previously known as ZSL London Zoo or London Zoological Gardens and sometimes called Regent's Park Zoo, is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. In 1831 or 1832, the animals of the Tower of London menagerie were transferred to the zoo's collection. It was opened to the public in 1847. As of December 2022, it houses a collection of 14,926 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the United States, founded in 1873 and officially opening in 1875. It is located in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It originally began with 64.5 acres (26.1 ha) in the middle of the city, but has spread into the neighboring blocks and several reserves in Cincinnati's outer suburbs. It was appointed as a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Bristol Zoo was a zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. The zoo's stated mission was to "maintain and defend" biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural world".
The Houston Zoo is a 55-acre (22 ha) zoological park located within Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, United States. The zoo houses over 6,000 animals from more than 900 species. It receives around 2 million visitors each year and is the second most visited zoo in the United States, surpassed only by the San Diego Zoo. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Woodland Park Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization and zoological garden located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States. The zoo is the recipient of over 65 awards across multiple categories. The zoo has around 900 animals from 250 species and the zoo has over 1 million visitors a year.
The Oakland Zoo is a zoo located in the Grass Valley neighborhood of Oakland, California, United States. Established on June 6, 1922, it is managed by the Conservation Society of California, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife both locally and globally. The zoo is home to more than 850 native and exotic animals and is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a zoological park located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Cheyenne Mountain in the United States. At an elevation of 6,714 feet (2,046 m) above sea level, it is the highest zoo in the country. The zoo covers 140 acres (57 ha), 40 of which are in use. The zoo houses more than 750 animals, representing nearly 170 different species, with more than 30 endangered species. The zoo was ranked the #4 best zoo in North America in 2018 by USA Today. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is a 170-acre (69 ha) zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden located along the Saluda River in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. A small portion of the zoo extends into the nearby city of West Columbia. It is operated by the Rich-Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District, a partnership of the city of Columbia and Richland and Lexington counties. It is overseen by the Riverbanks Park Commission, comprising two members each from the three governments and one at-large member.
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a 183-acre (74 ha) zoo in Cleveland, Ohio. The Zoo is divided into several areas: Australian Adventure; African Savanna; Northern Wilderness Trek, The Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, Waterfowl Lake, The RainForest, Asian Highlands, and the newly added Susie's Bear Hollow. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has one of the largest collections of primates in North America, The Zoo is a part of the Cleveland Metroparks system.
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a 133-acre (54 ha) zoo founded in 1966 and located in Los Angeles, California, United States. The city of Los Angeles owns the zoo, its land and facilities, and the animals.
The Memphis Zoo is a zoo in Midtown, Memphis, Tennessee, United States. There are no Tennessee Tuesdays in March at the Memphis Zoo. It is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species. Created in April 1906, the zoo has been a major tenant of Overton Park for more than 100 years. The land currently designated to the Memphis Zoo was defined by the Overton Park master plan in 1888, it is owned by the City of Memphis. The zoo is set on 76 acres (31 ha), of which approximately 55 acres (22 ha) are developed.
The Franklin Park Zoo is a 72-acre (290,000 m2) zoo located in Boston, Massachusetts and is currently operated by Zoo New England, which also operates the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts. The zoo is located in the northeast portion of Franklin Park, Boston's largest park and the last component of the city's famed Emerald Necklace.
The North Carolina Zoo, formerly the North Carolina Zoological Park, is a zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina, housing 1,700 animals of more than 250 species, primarily representing Africa and North America. It is one of two state-supported zoos in the United States, with the other being the Minnesota Zoo. With 500 acres (2.0 km2) developed, it is the world's largest natural habitat zoo. The North Carolina Zoo is a part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The Louisville Zoological Gardens, commonly known as the Louisville Zoo, is a 134-acre (54 ha) zoo in Louisville, Kentucky, situated in the city's Poplar Level neighborhood. Founded in 1969, the "State Zoo of Kentucky" currently exhibits over 1,200 animals in naturalistic and mixed animal settings representing both geographical areas and biomes or habitats.
The Little Rock Zoo was founded in 1924 and is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. It is home to more than 400 animals representing over 200 species, and covers an area of 33 acres (13 ha). The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is a private 501 c (3) organization that raises funds for zoo development. The Little Rock Zoo is a department of the city of Little Rock. It is the largest zoo in Arkansas, and the only Arkansas zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The Birmingham Zoo is a zoological park that opened in 1955 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States.
The Fort Worth Zoo is a zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, and is home to 7,000 native and exotic animals. It has been named as a top zoo in the nation by Family Life magazine, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today, as well as one of the top zoos in the South by Southern Living Reader's Choice Awards.
The Taipei Zoo, sometimes referred to as the Muzha Zoo, is a public zoological garden in Wenshan District, Taipei, Taiwan. It is the most famous zoological garden in Taiwan and a leader in conservation, research and education, and recreation. It is one of the largest zoos in Asia, with a total area of 165 hectares, of which more than 90 ha are developed.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is located at the mouth of the Trout River, near where it flows into the St. Johns River, in Jacksonville, Florida. The zoo occupies approximately 122 acres (49 ha) and has over 2,000 animals and 1,000 plant species in its collection. The zoo has grown from a small collection in Springfield into one of the city's premier attractions, with more than one million visits annually.
↑ "Best of America: Best Zoo". Reader's Digest. 2008-05-09. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2019-02-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ Edward E. Louis; Melissa S. Coles; Rambinintsoa Andriantompohavana; Julie A. Sommer; Shannon E. Engberg; John R. Zaonarivelo; Mireya I. Mayor; Rick A. Brenneman (2006). "Revision of the Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus) of Eastern Madagascar". International Journal of Primatology. 27 (2): 347–389. doi:10.1007/s10764-006-9036-1. S2CID56920.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
Metro Transit 
