Size Of Your Local Zoo in Acreage Survey

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Blackduiker

Well-Known Member
A quick survey of your local zoo's acreage; for me it's the Los Angeles Zoo at approximately 113 acres. And for most of you, this probably means you'll be measuring by hectares. It has always fascinated me as to how large or how small the world's zoos are, and what can be utilized using vast or limited space.

All zoo grounds are to be included, even parking lots and off exhibit spaces. Some of you may need to do a little research on your zoo's web site or guidebook. Multiple entries and aquariums are fine.
 
My current local zoo, Zoo Boise, is a mere 11 acres.

My former local zoo, the Phoenix Zoo, is 125 acres, but much of that is not developed.
 
Blackduiker said:
All zoo grounds are to be included, even parking lots and off exhibit spaces. Some of you may need to do a little research on your zoo's web site or guidebook. Multiple entries and aquariums are fine.
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My local zoo Chester, own most of the surrounding land and some nearby houses can we included all of that into the total area?
 
Blackduiker

taun said:
My local zoo Chester, own most of the surrounding land and some nearby houses can we included all of that into the total area?
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If its considered part of or reserved for future zoo use. The key is "zoo grounds."
 
Blackduiker said:
If its considered part of or reserved for future zoo use. The key is "zoo grounds."
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A lot of Chester's land will be developed in the coming years, but as things stand at the moment, the current zoo is 111 acres (according to wikipedia)

EDIT: wikipedia also says that the zoo occupies 50 hectares, but owns 200 more. The new developments will bring it to 80 hectares.

So about 124 acres are currently being used which will expand to about 198 acres in the not to distant future.

Can any other Chester visitor confirm those figures? I don't like relying on Wiki...
 
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Marwell was 100 acres until the land was extended this year for the African Valley: The park itself is now 140 acres, with a lot of other land that is used for food growth, woodland management, etc, but I'm not sure what the total size is combined with these.
 
Marwell Dalek said:
Is that the zoo bit itself? Cos the biggest I've been to is Port Lympne at 600 acres, and that seemed massive enough!
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Well, according to Wikipedia, the San Diego Wild Animal Park is 1800 acres (730 ha). Although it does not mention how much it's already developed.
 
Approximately half is what they say. The undeveloped half is a native habitat preserve.
 
Newquay zoo is 13 acres it was around 10 acres before the african savannha expansion.
 
Columbus sit on over 600 acres of land. However the Golf Course sits on 200, Zoombezi Bay and Jungle Jack's Landing take up about 20, so the zoo (including our Administrative Complex, minus the parking lot) is around 80 acres but will 170 after the Polar Frontier, African Savannah, and South America expansions.
 
The Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is 92 acres, but 65 acres are actual zoo exhibits and visitor amenities.
 
Just thought i'd combine the results given so far to create a "league table" of sorts for comparison (hope blackduiker doesn't mind!)

1. Toronto Zoo (Canada) - 710 acres
2. Whipsnade Zoo (UK) - 600 acres
2. Port Lympne Wild Animal Park (UK) - 600 acres
3. Marwell Zoo (UK) - 140 acres
4. Phoenix Zoo (USA) - 125 acres
5. Chester Zoo (UK) - 124 acres (will rise to about 198 and the zoo owns even more)
6. Los Angeles Zoo (USA) - 113 acres
7. Jacksonville Zoo (USA) - 110 acres
8. Dallas Zoo (USA) - 95 acres
9. Woodland Park (USA) - 92 acres
10. Howlett's Wild Animal Park (UK) - 90 acres
11. Colombus Zoo (USA) - 80 acres (will rise to 170 acres)
12. Taronga Zoo (AUS) - 70 acres
13. Fort Worth Zoo (USA) - 64 acres
14. Belfast Zoo (UK) - 55 acres
15. London Zoo (UK) - 36 acres
16. Valencia BioParc (Spain) - approx 20 acres (will rise to approx 25 acres)
17. Newquay Zoo (UK) - 13 acres
18. Boise Zoo (USA) - 11 acres
 
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Bioparc have 24.7 acres at the future when it has completely finished, actually is 19.7 acres.
 
@CZJimmy: make sure on your list that you have only developed acres to be more accurate. For example: the Toronto Zoo doesn't have all 700 acres developed.
 
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