Spring is here, and with unseasonably warm weekends, it is the perfect time to get a head start on exploring New York City's renowned zoos and aquarium.
A break from the routine
Little boys will love to explore the World of Darkness and the Mouse House while little girls will love the antics of the penguins. Even if your child is just an infant, the zoos offer a break from the daily routine and stimulation for your little one. Nash Dunlap, father of Aiden, 9 months, said, "going to the Bronx Zoo was a great thing to do when he was a newborn, and at four- and five-months he loved watching the gorilla exhibit."
Here, in New York City more than 4 million visitors annually experience their Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium and Central Park, Queens and Prospect Park Zoos. All owned by the Wildlife Conservation Society headquartered in the Bronx Zoo since 1895, the Society works to protect wildlife and their habitats throughout the world. Join the WCS and receive free admission for one year to all five of their parks. For information on joining, or more details on any of their parks, visit www.wcs.org.
The Bronx Zoo
The largest metropolitan zoo in the nation, with more than 6,000 animals, the Bronx Zoo offers an array of exhibits sure to please every member of the family. The Bronx Zoo was one of the first US zoos to move away from cages to exhibit animals in naturalistic habitats back in 1941. African Plains was the first predator-prey exhibit in North America, allowing both to be viewed from the same vantage point, safely separated by moats.
The exhibit, which was revolutionary when it first opened, still amazes zoo visitors with its similarities to the African savanna. Other exhibits to visit include the Aquatic Bird House, World of Darkness, World of Birds, Wild Asia and JungleWorld.
The zoo's most innovative project to date, however, is Congo Gorilla Forest. The 6.5-acre African rain forest habitat provides a home to 400 animals of 55 species, including 23 lowland gorillas, one of the largest and most important breeding groups in North America. Visitors to Congo Gorilla Forest vote which WCS African conservation project their exhibit entry fee will be earmarked towards. In the exhibit's first year, visitors to Congo Gorilla Forest voted over $1 million to conservation in Africa.
Although all species are important, snow leopards hold a special place in Bronx Zoo history. These beautiful and endangered cats were first exhibited at the zoo in 1903, making it the first zoo in the western hemisphere to exhibit them. Snow leopards have been successfully bred at the Bronx Zoo, with 82 cubs born between 1966 to 1999. In addition to snow leopards, the Bronx Zoo is also involved with Species Survival Plan for lowland gorillas, Chinese alligators, Mauritius pink pigeons and more than 40 other species.
The Bronx Zoo is located at Fordham Road and the Bronx River Parkway, in Bronx and is easily accessible from Exit 6 on the Bronx River Parkway. It is open 365 days a year from 10 am to 5 pm Mondays through Fridays and 10 am through 5:30 pm on weekends and holidays. Adults are $11, Children two to 12 are $6 and seniors are $7. There is a $3 Congo Gorilla Exhibit entry fee. Stroller rentals are available. For further information call (718) 367-1010.
New York Aquarium
Located on 14 acres in Coney Island, the Aquarium is home to more than 350 species of aquatic wildlife and more than 8,000 specimens. The diversity of marine life is reflected in the incredible variety of wildlife at this seaside park; from beluga whales to walruses, from sharks to seahorses.
Major exhibit areas include Sea Cliffs, a 300 foot-long re-creation of the rocky Pacific coast, and Explore the Shore, where you can touch sea stars and experience the energy of a 400-gallon wave crashing on a rocky coast while you stand dry underneath. Don't miss the new seahorses exhibit, or the Aquatheater, where Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are the stars from May to October.
New York Aquarium is located on Surf Avenue and West 8th Street in Brooklyn. It is open 365 days a year from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Adults are $9.75, Children two to 12 and seniors are $6. For further information call (718) 265-FISH.
The Queens Zoo
Honoring American animals, the Queens Zoo re-opened to the public in 1992 after extensive renovations. With the feel of a national park, its perimeter is a pathway that leads visitors to various wild habitats. North and South American wildlife roam in naturalistic habitats, from the Great Plains to the rocky California coast to a Northeast forest.
Among the 400 animals of nearly 70 species, visitors can view American bison, mountain lions, California seal lions, American bald eagles, Roosevelt elk and spectacled bears, endangered natives of the Andes mountains. In addition to viewing often ferocious wildlife in their habitats, visitors have a chance to meet and feed familiar and friendlier species including cows, llamas, goats and pigs.
The Queens Zoo is located on 53-51 111th Street in Flushing. It is open 365 days a year. From November through March, hours are 10 am to 4:30 pm and April through October, hours are 10 am to 5 pm weekdays and 10 am to 5:30 pm weekends and holidays. Adults are $2.50, Children three to 12 are 50 cents and seniors are $1.25. For further information call (718) 271-1500.
The Prospect Park Zoo
Originally a menagerie in the late 1800's, Brooklyn's Zoo now offers naturalistic habitats replacing the bars, cages and pits, reopening after extensive renovations were completed in 1993.
Three major exhibit areas were created to engage children in learning about wildlife. In the World of Animals, youngsters can meet prairie dogs nose-to-nose, leap across giant lily pads or walk among wallabies. The Animal Lifestyles building's centerpiece is a spectacular habitat for hamadryas baboons. Animals in Our Lives exhibits encourage children to observe and draw wildlife; outside, visitors can interact with friendly, touchable species in an inviting barnyard.
Prospect Park Wildlife Center is located at 450 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. It is open 365 days a year from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Adults are $2.50, Children three to 12 are 50 cents and seniors are $1.25. For further information call (718) 399-7339.
Central Park Zoo
The Wildlife Conservation Society's "jewel in Manhattan," the Central Park Zoo allows visitors to journey through a steamy rain forest which is home to tropical birds, rare monkeys and fascinating reptiles.
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