San Diego Zoo - World Famous

The San Diego Zoo has been a pioneer in building "cageless" exhibits. The zoo's Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES) was founded in 1975. CRES was renamed the division of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species in 2005 to better reflect its mission.

The San Diego Zoo is one of the world's few major zoos to have almost all of its major exhibits be open-air; in fact, the only major exhibition building on grounds is the Reptile House. AIA Educational tour will bring you to visit this world class zoo at the beginning of the third week of our Tour program.

Exhibits  

Monkey Trails and Forest Tales Monkey Trails showcases monkeys and other animals from the rainforests of Asia and Africa. Monkey Trails is the most recent exhibit at the San Diego Zoo, replacing the older exhibit, the Monkey Yard. Not only does Monkey Trails showcase monkeys, but many other species of animals such as pigs like red river hogs, bornean bearded pigs, and visayan warty hogs. The elusive clouded leopard also makes his home in Monkey Trails. Clouded leopards can also be seen in the zoo's "Wild Ones" show. Pygmy hippos, slender snouted crocodiles, and many species of turtles and fish can be seen in a series of water/land exhibits all with underwater viewing areas. The African Aviary is home to many colorful birds such as the amethyst starling, tinkerbirds and the sociable weaver. In smaller exhibits are many repitles and amphibians such as pancake tortoises, green mambas, fire skinks, and many species of arthropods such as scorpions. Monkey Trails utilizes a new method of displaying tree climbing animals- by climbing up an elevated walkway throughout the exhibit.

Panda Research Station As of September, 2008, the San Diego Zoo is one of four zoos in the U.S. who has giant pandas on display, and is the most successful in terms of panda reproduction. The first two giant panda cubs in U.S. history to have been born in the U.S. and survive into adulthood, Hua Mei (female) and Mei Sheng (male) were born at the San Diego Zoo, in 1999 and 2003, respectively. Since then, two more giant panda cubs, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen, both females, have been born to the resident giant panda parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao. In addition to being able to view this rare animal species, the Giant Panda Discovery Center nearby has interactive exhibits that let the visitor experience first hand what the animals smell and sound like.

Polar Bear Plunge, is one of the most famous highlights at the San Diego zoo. With over 30 species in this area of the zoo, Polar Bear Plunge houses an array of animals representing the arctic. The main animals in the area are the polar bears, Kalluk, Chinook and Tatqiq. Another animal that makes its home in Polar Bear Plunge is the reindeer or caribou. A large moat separates the bears and the deer, but to the guests it would appear that they are in one exhibit, making it more similar to the wild. By walking down polar bear path, an underwater viewing area is available to view the polar bears swimming. Further down the path lies the arctic aviary, home to the diving ducks. Some of the diving ducks are buffleheads, harlequin's duck, the smew and long-tailed ducks. The aviary houses more than 25 species of duck. The last stop on the Polar journey is to look at the two cat species in the area, a Pallas cat and a Serval. Some of the horticultural highlights include giant redwood trees, many different pine trees, and manzanita.

Ituri Forest This exhibit in the zoo is famous for having different species share one exhibit. Based upon the real Ituri Forest in Africa, this exhibit houses different animal species from the forests of Africa. Animals such as Allen's Swamp Monkey, spotted-necked otters, and giant forest buffalo can be found coexisting within the exhibit. In the forest, other monkey species also reside such as guenons. One of the highlights of the African adventure are the okapis grazing from the trees. These relatives of the giraffe are rarely seen in zoos and are scarcely witnessed in the wild. Some of Ituri Forest's most prominent inhabitants exist within the hippo exhibit, which includes an underwater viewing area and several species of exotic fish. One can also see bongoes in and colorful turaco birds. In the forest, over 30 species of birds reside alone, including the Congo peafowl.