Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Map
39°08′42″N 84°30′29″W / 39.145°N 84.508°W / 39.145; -84.508
Date opened1875[2]
Location3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Land area75 acres (30 ha)[1]
No. of animals1,896
No. of species500+[2]
Annual visitors1.2 million+[2]
MembershipsAZA,[3] WAZA[4]
Public transit accessBus interchange SORTA
Websitecincinnatizoo.org

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.[2][5]

The zoo houses over 500 species, 1,800 animals and 3,000 plant species. In addition, the zoo also has conducted several breeding programs in its history, and was the first to successfully breed California sea lions. In 1986, the Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) was created to further the zoo's goal of conservation.[2] The zoo is known for being the home of Martha, the last living passenger pigeon,[5] and of Incas, the last living Carolina parakeet.[6]

The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA),[3] and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).[4]

A 2014 ranking of the nations's best zoos by USA Today based on data provided by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums lists the Cincinnati Zoo among the best in the country.[7] A 2019 reader's choice ranking of the nation's best zoos by USA Today named the Cincinnati Zoo the top zoo in North America.[8]

  1. ^ Baird, David; et al. (February 17, 2009). Frommer's USA. John Wiley & Sons. p. 491. ISBN 9780470458938. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference zoo_about was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference aza_list was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference waza_list was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference cincinnativiews_zoo_main was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "The last Carolina Parakeet". John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  7. ^ "Best US Zoos: 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards". 10best.com. May 21, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  8. ^ "Best zoo in North America? Readers choose Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden". USA Today 10 Best. USA Today. May 3, 2019.