The Dallas Zoo, also known as the Dallas Zoological Park, is a 106 acre zoo that is located 3 miles south of downtown Dallas Texas. The zoo was established in 1888. It is the largest and oldest zoological park in Texas. The zoo is manage by the non-profit Dallas Zoological Society. The Dallas Zoo contains over 2,000 animals and represents 406 species.
The zoo is contains two major regions, Wilds of Africa and ZooNorth. ZooNorth is the oldest and the original section of the zoo. It features a variety of exhibits such as Bug U, Galapagos tortoises, and the Otter Outpost. A more recent addition to ZooNorth is the Wildlife Amphitheater. It is home to SOAR! A Festival of Flight. Monkeys can be found in Primate Place. ZooNorth also contains the Pierre A. Fontaine Bird & Reptile Building. Here, visitors learn about endangered amphibian and reptiles. The ExxonMobil Tiger Habitat opened in 1999 and is a 2 acre habitat that is home to Malayn tigers and Sumatran tigers. The Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo contains the Nature Exchange, the UnderZone, pony rides, a petting zoo, and the JC Penney Discovery House. The Bug U exhibit teaches children abou the zoo’s massive collection of invertebrates.
Wilds of Africa was built 78 years after ZooNorth. It opened in 1990. It was the first exhibit to display all of the major habitats of Africa, including rain forests, woodlands, deserts, mountain, rivers, and bush of Africa. Abount a dozen African penguins call Penguin Cove their home. Visitors can observe chimpanzees in the Chimpanzee Forest, which opened in 1997. The Gorilla Research Center opened in 1990. Nile crocodiles can be viewed on Crocodile Isle. Exotic and colorful birds can be seen in the Forest Aviary.
The Wilds of Africa Adventure Safari is a one mile, 20 minute narrated monorail ride that travels throughout the zoo. The Giants of the Savanna opened in 2010. It is an expansion to the Wilds of Africa and features African elephants, a herd of giraffes, African lions, zebras, and much more.
Additional attractions at the Dallas Zoo include the T-Rex Express Mini-Train and the Endangered Species Carousel. Visitors can pick up souvenirs at the Gift Shop. Visitors can dine at the Prime Meridian Cafe, the Serengeti Grill, and the Bantu Barbecue. There are also snack stands located throughout the zoo.
The Dallas Zoo is open 364 days a year from 9am to 5pm in spring/summer and 9am to 4pm in fall/winter. It is closed Christmas Day.
The Dallas Zoo is located at 650 S R L Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203.
Check out information on The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.