Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park

Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park
Zoo grounds
Map
35°39′58″N 109°02′57″W / 35.66611°N 109.04917°W / 35.66611; -109.04917
Date openedJune 10, 1977[1]
LocationWindow Rock, Navajo Nation (Arizona), United States
Land area14.7 acres (5.9 ha)
No. of animals~100
No. of species50
Annual visitors~ 45,000
Websitewww.navajozoo.org

The Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park (Navajo: Diné Bikéyah binaaldeehii dóó chʼil danílʼínídi) is located in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation. It is the only tribally owned zoological park in the United States[1][2] and is notable among zoological facilities in that it labels its exhibits in the Native American Indian language of Navajo. Having been operated by the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department since its inception in the early 1960s,[1] it became part of the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife in September 2006.[3]

While its facilities have the unique mission of preserving and caring for the fauna and flora significant to Navajo culture, its existence has also sparked controversy among the more traditionalist elements in Navajo society.

  1. ^ a b c Navajo Nation Zoo. “A Sanctuary for Nature and the Spirit” Archived 2018-08-08 at the Wayback Machine. discovernavajo.com. Accessed 2018-04-16.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference nnzoo_m was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ website of the Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park. Accessed 2018-04-16.