America's 50 Must See Zoos

[Gondwana]

California - California Academy of Sciences

Founded: 2008
Size: 2.5 Acres (1 Hectare)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): c. 750*
On Exhibit Mammals 0
On Exhibit Birds 12
On Exhibit Reptiles & Amphibians 33
On Exhibit Fish 160

This is an institution that’s hard to classify as it doesn't really fit into any one category. It dates back to just a few years after the state of California was annexed by the United States and began in Golden Gate Park as a collection of different museum buildings on a single campus with an aquarium being added several decades later. After being completely rebuilt from the ground up at the same site, there are now elements of an aquarium, a traditional zoo, a natural history museum, and a planetarium all under the same roof. In fact not just any roof, rather a multi-acre living roof that it’s own ecosystem for native insects. The academy has proven to be just as innovative as it is flashy. There are no mammal species, at least no live ones, and fish make up the majority of the collection. The aquarium portion has some beautifully done saltwater tanks; the coral reef display in particular stands out from the rest. The freshwater tanks are just as impressive with a walkthrough tunnel through an Amazon flooded forest display being the most notable. That same tunnel connects to the four-story Osher Rainforest which is similarly stunning and is primarily a large bird and butterfly area with herp displays dotted throughout. The facilities' only real crowd-pleasers are a colony of African penguins that can be found in the Tusher African Hall that otherwise features dioramas with mounted African mammals. That description just barley scratches the surface of the countless amount ecological and scientific displays beyond the live animals. This could easily become a full day attraction for anyone even remotely interested in any of the aforementioned subjects.

*The major discrepancy between the total species estimate and the more specific totals are due to the high collection of coral and invertebrates which have not been counted on an individual basis.

Main Lobby, @geomorph

Philippine Coral Reef Tank, @geomorph

African Penguin Exhibit, @geomorph

Living Roof, @snowleopard

Osher Rainforest, @Coelacanth18

Zoochat Gallery:
California Academy of Sciences - ZooChat

Zoo Website:
California Academy of Sciences

Zoo Map:
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/aca...95/academy-visitormap-2-728.jpg?cb=1345104940

Worth noting that the aquarium at the previous incarnation of the California Academy of Sciences housed one of the better-known demolished exhibits in the US -- the "fish roundabout" tank. The most similar current analogue might be the shark tank at the National Aquarium in Baltimore but I don't think the Baltimore version is quite as effective.

As for possible zoo snubs, I am assuming the list going from Arizona to California means all institutions in Alaska and Alabama are out? I can't really think of any places in Alabama that would make a top 50 list. However, in Alaska the Alaska Wildlife Center has incredible scenery, very natural habitats and a few rarities like wood bison and musk ox. If this list was focused on natural beauty of the surroundings, it would make the cut. But with so many places to choose from I can understand it not making the list.

The downside of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is that "wild" wildlife is one of Alaska's main attractions, and it's pretty easy to see wild bears, caribou, moose, etc. in even more impressive settings in Denali, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, etc.

The more unique Alaska collection is the Alaska Sealife Center, which has excellent coverage of the local marine life, with the alcid exhibit being especially impressive.

 

[pachyderm pro]

California - Los Angeles Zoo

Founded: 1966
Size: 133 Acres (54 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 333
Mammals 106
Birds 99
Reptiles & Amphibians 103
Fish 12
Invertebrates 13

Los Angeles is a city with a lot of glitz and glamor, but not always as spectacular as it’s been made out to be, so it’s not all that surprising that its zoo is the same way. A good chunk of the grounds are slated for redevelopment in the future and it’s easy to see why. There are a bunch of ungulate paddocks that dominate the zoo's perimeter as well as the controversial C-shaped roundhouse cages. The roundhouses aren’t necessarily bad, just not very suitable for the animals they were designed to hold. Passerines or marmosets would be a good fit, Steller's sea eagle and mandrill not so much. Beyond some of the scruffier areas there are some truly fantastic exhibits. There is an extensive Amazon zone with some great exhibits for giant otter and jaguar, plus America's last red uakari. The LAIR is a brilliant reptile, amphibian and invertebrate complex with about 70 species in some excellently designed terrariums. Many of them are floor to ceiling displays with plenty of rarities like perentie, mangshan pit viper, South American bushmaster, and Chinese giant salamander. LA has plenty of rare species outside of the LAIR building as well, including mountain tapir, calamian deer, and markhor. This is a great zoo for Australian species as well with koalas and Tasmanian devils outside, plus a nocturnal building with echidnas and wombats in separate areas both shared by sugar gliders. Other highlights include the large and impressive Asian elephant complex, a superb François langur enclosure that almost contained golden snub-nosed monkeys, and some really good exhibits for chimpanzees and orangutans. With a new master plan in development LA has potential to be a top tier zoo in the future. For now it’s a flawed, but still very good zoo with a very impressive selection of rarities and some real standout areas to boot.

Asian Elephant Exhibit, @TheoV

Jaguar Exhibit, @twilighter

The LAIR, @Blackduiker

Serval Exhibit (Roundhouse Example), @snowleopard

François Langur Exhibit, @mstickmanp

Zoochat Gallery:
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens - ZooChat

Zoo Website:
Home - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (LA Zoo)

Zoo Map:
https://s36593.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ZooMap_Reopening_061521_f.jpg

 

[CGSwans]

Agree with this call. When I made a scratch-list of 50 guesses at what would be included in this thread, I hesitated over LA because of its popular status as America's 'missed opportunity' zoo - a big site in a massive city with a great climate, but not a great reputation. That said, the red uakari, the mountain tapirs and excellent LAIR mean it is well and truly worth a visit, along with the (obviously of less interest to me personally) strong Australian collection. It was one of the last ones I added to my list of 50, not because I don't think it belongs but because I wasn't sure @pachyderm pro *would*.

 

[Westcoastperson]

I agree with the post above that I was conflicted over wether LA would be included or not. It’s strong collection vs. it’s (mostly) outdated exhibits truly push what defines a zoo worth visiting. I can however see it being a must visit for reptile enthusiasts. Along with the amount of small rare ungulates (mountain tapirs, Calamain Deer, Chinese Goral). Los Angeles most likely doesn’t rank high but is definitely a good addition. Glad to see it on the list.

 

[twilighter]

I don't think LA zoo can be excluded of this list, even if it was top 30. It has it's flaws, but it's a definitely a "must visit" establishment. Some excibits a controversial, but the work with rarities and breeding records of such can not be avoided. Next to the ones that been mentioned, I keep a good memory of the Gorilla's exhibit, as well. The fact that huge part of the zoo will be transformed in the near future it's also a very good reason to visit the Park from historical point of view.

 

[pachyderm pro]

California - Monterey Bay Aquarium

Founded: 1984
Size: 2.3 Million Gallons (8.7 Million Liters)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 634
Mammals 1
Birds 23
Reptiles & Amphibians 12
Fish 295
Invertebrates 303

No cetaceans and no pinnipeds, but one of the finest aquariums you will ever come across. Where once stood an old sardine cannery lies an institution that has risen to become one of the most famous aquariums in America. Thanks to its optimal location right on the bay, the aquarium is able to pump saltwater directly from the pacific into the various tanks and with the exception of a colony of African penguins and some alcids, the aquarium focuses almost exclusively on native sealife. The Open Sea tank is where the aquarium famously exhibited rescued great white sharks for brief periods of time, although those days are long and it's been over a decade since one was last displayed. The one million gallon tank is still a superb display with ocean sunfish as the biggest eye opener. The three story kelp forest tank is illuminated by natural sunlight and is similarly stunning. It's also incredibly significant being that it was the first successful recreation of a living kelp forest ecosystem anywhere in the world. There is an impressive shorebird collection as well, plus the only laysan albatross in captivity. There is no on-view exhibit, so the only way to see it is at the feeding presentations that occur daily. Sea otters are the biggest crowd pleasers and the aquarium has contributed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of over 40 individuals in the past two decades. Despite lacking any major marine mammals with the otters as the exception, if you’re lucky you may just be able to catch a fleeting glimpse of wild whales and sea lions off the coast from an ocean-view deck. By not relying on captive dolphins or whales, the aquarium has been able to avoid controversy and focus on showing off species that would otherwise go unnoticed in other aquariums. It will continue to innovate when it unveils a dedicated deep sea exhibit in the coming months featuring a rotating cast of species almost completely unheard of anywhere else.

Kelp Forest Tank, @TheoV

Shorebird Aviary, @snowleopard

Open Sea Tank, @snowleopard

Tide Pool and Ocean View Deck, @geomorph

Jellyfish Tank, @geomorph

Zoochat Gallery:
Monterey Bay Aquarium - ZooChat

Zoo Website:
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/

Zoo Map:
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org...arium-map-june2021.png?format=webp&quality=70

 

[MRJ]

Another fine, world-leading choice. I was just talking with a friend about how COVID might affect aquariums. Many of them are laid out as long tunnels lined with exhibits, with little fresh air and strike me as a COVID danger. Monterey Bay is very different, full of light, vaulted ceilings, large spaces and open to the bay. It is a totally different experience to any other aquarium I have been in. I also love how they use the bay as an exhibit. The shorebird aviary, by the way, is fantastic and even engaged my usually bird-weary wife.

The aquarium looses nothing from not having large marine mammals. If you want to see them, stay an extra day and take a whale-watching trip out into Monterey Bay. It has been described by those who should know as one of the great mammal shows on earth, and I have to agree.

 

[Fallax]

laysan albatross

Are we sure it isn't a teal?

Jokes aside, great choice and great thread so far! As someone who sticks mostly to the European side of the forum a lot of this information is new to me and so far I have been quite impressed seeing the interesting places on offer across the pond. Looking forward to the rest of the top 50.

 

[pachyderm pro]

California - San Diego Zoo

Founded: 1916
Size: 100 Acres (40 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 705
Mammals 160
Birds 309
Reptiles & Amphibians 183
Fish 25
Invertebrates 28

This may just be the most famous zoo on the planet. Beautiful setting, quality exhibitry, and an absolutely fantastic collection of everything from your charismatic ABC species, to some lesser appreciated gems, and several species in which it is either the only or one of the only holders in the country. The zoo is strong in every single category especially thanks to the new ectotherm buildings being added this year. Ironically the weakest exhibits are for some of the most popular animals. Giraffes and lions have smaller than average spaces which is a sharp contrast to the same species accommodations at the zoos' sister facility, and several species of bear are still in old-school grottos. There is a silver lining however, as the near perfect weather means that just about every species can be outdoors year round. About half of the zoo is engulfed in an immersive rainforest environment that particularly stands out in primates and birds. The Scripps, Owens, and Parker aviaries are some of the greatest bird exhibits you will ever see, as is the Acacia Woodlands aviary in Africa Rocks. That exhibit does not feature any traditional savannah megafauna like ungulates or large predators and instead focuses on smaller species such as penguins, crocodiles, lemurs, and baboons. Elephant Odyssey is one of the most highly-debated zoo exhibits of all time, but the zoo should be commended for crafting such a unique concept even if the execution was hit and miss. The zoo has so many highlights it’s impossible to list them all. The maze-like trails for monkeys and wild pigs, the Outback section with a massive group of koalas plus wombats and Tasmanian devils, dozens of outdoor exhibits for reptiles, an enormous hippo pool, a superb set of great ape habitats and so much more to the point where you'll need at least two days to properly see it all. It can be debated whether or not San Diego is truly the best, but what can’t be debated is that it is truly exceptional regardless.

African Penguin and Leopard Shark Exhibit, @Moebelle

Owen's Aviary, @twilighter

Lion-Tailed Macaque Exhibit, @Moebelle

Indian Gharial Exhibit, @geomorph

Malayan Tiger Exhibit, @Arizona Docent

Zoochat Gallery:
San Diego Zoo - ZooChat

Zoo Website:
Home page

Zoo Map:
https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/sites/d...an_Diego_Zoo_01-03-22_Guest_Map_Optimized.pdf

 

[Julio C Castro]

California - Los Angeles Zoo

Founded: 1966
Size: 133 Acres (54 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): c. 280
On Exhibit Mammals 83
On Exhibit Birds 35
On Exhibit Reptiles & Amphibians 60
On Exhibit Fish 11

Los Angeles is a city with a lot of glitz and glamor, but not always as spectacular as it’s been made out to be, so it’s not all that surprising that its zoo is the same way. A good chunk of the grounds are slated for redevelopment in the future and it’s easy to see why. There are a bunch of ungulate paddocks that dominate the zoo's perimeter as well as the controversial C-shaped roundhouse cages. The roundhouses aren’t necessarily bad, just not very suitable for the animals they were designed to hold. Passerines or marmosets would be a good fit, Steller's sea eagle and mandrill not so much. Beyond some of the scruffier areas there are some truly fantastic exhibits. There is an extensive Amazon zone with some great exhibits for giant otter and jaguar, plus America's last red uakari. The LAIR is a brilliant reptile, amphibian and invertebrate complex with about 70 species in some excellently designed terrariums. Many of them are floor to ceiling displays with plenty of rarities like perentie, mangshan pit viper, South American bushmaster, and Chinese giant salamander. LA has plenty of rare species outside of the LAIR building as well, including mountain tapir, calamian deer, and markhor. This is a great zoo for Australian species as well with koalas and Tasmanian devils outside, plus a nocturnal building with echidnas and wombats in separate areas both shared by sugar gliders. Other highlights include the large and impressive Asian elephant complex, a superb François langur enclosure that almost contained golden snub-nosed monkeys, and some really good exhibits for chimpanzees and orangutans. With a new master plan in development LA has potential to be a top tier zoo in the future. For now it’s a flawed, but still very good zoo with a very impressive selection of rarities and some real standout areas to boot.

Asian Elephant Exhibit, @TheoV

Jaguar Exhibit, @twilighter

The LAIR, @Blackduiker

Serval Exhibit (Roundhouse Example), @snowleopard

François Langur Exhibit, @mstickmanp

Zoochat Gallery:
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens - ZooChat

Zoo Website:
Home - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (LA Zoo)

Zoo Map:
https://s36593.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ZooMap_Reopening_061521_f.jpg

I am very biased in saying this but I do truly appreciate the love I see you all show for my home zoo. Being a life long Angelino, I have seen the improvements the zoo has done in the past 20 years. Admittedly, the LA Zoo during the 90’s had it really rough from what I remember. It’s in dire need of a major facelift, something I’m painfully aware. Their Vision Plan is ambitious but can change at any step due politics/funding. But it does have some exhibits I love each time I visit and some awesome species that I think some Zoochatters would appreciate to see It has helped me hone my craft of photography and having met many prominent zoo staff/keepers, it brings me hope for the future of this zoo. I do think it will be one of the top zoos in the country if their plan is executed properly

 

[pachyderm pro]

California - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Founded: 1972
Size: 1,800 Acres (730 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 340
Mammals 129
Birds 192
Reptiles & Amphibians 19
Fish 0
Invertebrates 0

While it’s sister facility has stolen the hearts of most zoo-enthusiasts, the Safari Park is an entirely different beast in itself and cannot be missed. It was founded with the intent of being an open-range breeding center for ungulates to contrast the limited space of the zoo. The collection is much more one-sided as a result with large mammals and birds being the primary focus while the herp and fish collections are basically non-existent. The vast field enclosures have countless large herds of hoofstock across almost a dozen different areas. The Asian field enclosures require a reserved behind-the-scenes tour to see properly nowadays, but the remaining African habitats can all seen from a tram tour that circumnavigates the area, even if it’s not as extensive as the fondly remembered wgasa bush line monorail. A walking trail leading up to the field enclosures has some amazing habitats for even more species including a superb okapi exhibit, a large pond for flamingos, and an amazing mixed species yard with sitatunga, steenbok, red-flanked duiker and a variety of birds. Despite a clear focus on African regions, there are several other themed complexes with the Australian section being made particularly notable thanks to the addition of the only platypus outside of Australia. There is a North American area that concludes with a breathtaking California condor aviary that blends right into the mountainside landscape and provides one of the greatest views you will ever find at a zoological park. The Safari Park’s other notable areas include the the incredibly dynamic elephant herd, several lush islands for an impressive waterfowl collection, and a duo of spectacular feline habitats with lion and tiger complexes both among the best of their kind. It may lack the seemingly never-ending species list of the main zoo, but in many ways the quality is even greater and the gorgeous vistas alone are more than enough reason to visit.

African Field Exhibits, @twilighter

Lion Exhibit, @snowleopard

Congo Fishing Village, @snowleopard

Platypus Exhibit, @Ding Lingwei

California Condor Aviary, @snowleopard

Zoochat Gallery:
San Diego Zoo Safari Park - ZooChat

Zoo Website:
Home page

Zoo Map:
https://sdzsafaripark.org/sites/default/files/2022-01/Safari_Park_01-07-22_Guest_Map_Optimized.pdf

 

[Coelacanth18]

Monterey Bay Aquarium

It will continue to innovate when it unveils a dedicated deep sea exhibit in the coming months featuring a rotating cast of species almost completely unheard of anywhere else.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

with the Australian section being made particularly notable thanks to the addition of the only platypus outside of Australia

I'm planning on visiting both of these this year for the first time, and I'm especially looking forward to them for the new additions outlined above! It's frustrating that the Asian safari at SDZSP requires an additional expensive charge to see, though; I was hoping to net some Asian ungulate lifers there but I probably won't be willing to pay what they ask for it.

I was a little surprised to see LA make the list, but I suppose it makes sense; it's one of the largest and most well-known zoos in the country and has a lot of rarities and some noteworthy exhibits. It's also an interesting design, with most of it being built in the 1960's in sort of a "suburban" arrangement of winding paths interspersed with roundhouse cul-de-sacs. The result is that it almost feels like an animal "city", with a mix of different-looking areas, busy crowd centers, and easy to miss hole-in-the-wall exhibits and viewing areas. I'm not sure how it seemed at the time when it opened, but in hindsight now the layout is very chaotic and inefficient. We'll lose some physical aspects of history and a unique experience when it's fully redeveloped, but in the grand scheme of things I think it will greatly improve the zoo.

 

[pachyderm pro]

I'm planning on visiting both of these this year for the first time, and I'm especially looking forward to them for the new additions outlined above! It's frustrating that the Asian safari at SDZSP requires an additional expensive charge to see, though; I was hoping to net some Asian ungulate lifers there but I probably won't be willing to pay what they ask for it.

I toured through to Asian field exhibits when I last visited the park four years ago and absolutely loved it. Lots of cool stuff back there, although it is sad to see the gaur population reduced to a single elderly individual and some of the other rarities phased out completely. Glad I saw it when I did and definitely recommend it, although considering it's a pricey fee on top of an already very expensive zoo its an understandable decision. At the time my guide said that they had hoped to give the general public access to the Asian exhibits by 2020 and well, look where we are now. With the Elephant Valley revamp up next it's still going to be many more years until any news about the Asian field enclosures unfortunately.

 

[pangolin12]

I toured through to Asian field exhibits when I last visited the park four years ago and absolutely loved it. Lots of cool stuff back there, although it is sad to see the gaur population reduced to a single elderly individual and some of the other rarities phased out completely. Glad I saw it when I did and definitely recommend it, although considering it's a pricey fee on top of an already very expensive zoo its an understandable decision. At the time my guide said that they had hoped to give the general public access to the Asian exhibits by 2020 and well, look where we are now. With the Elephant Valley revamp up next it's still going to be many more years until any news about the Asian field enclosures unfortunately.

What species were held in there when you went? I’d just like to see if the species list makes up for the fee

 

[pachyderm pro]

What species were held in there when you went? I’d just like to see if the species list makes up for the fee

I didn't take a full list, but I did note the following: Indian rhino, Mandarin sika, Indian gaur, Javan banteng, nilgai, urial, Arabian-horned oryx, Przewalski's wild horse, Bactrian camel, Bactrian wapiti, and white-lipped deer.

I know for a fact they're down to their last gaur and sika, but they should still have the rest.

 

[Aardwolf]

I remember when I first went and did a tour of the field exhibits, about 20 years ago. It was my first real zoo trip, as in, traveling across the country just to visit a new zoo. There were so many species I'd never seen before: European bison, Bornean bearded pig, black wildebeest (it was also my first okapi, black rhino, secretarybird, and a host of other more common species). Since then, I've been to a ton of other zoos, seen many more species, and have been to Africa twice, so on more recent visits the decreased species diversity has left me a little more jaded and harder to impress. That being said, I was there last week and spent a solid hour transfixed by the platypus exhibit, so the place still has plenty of magic in it.

 

[Kudu21]

I didn't take a full list, but I did note the following: Indian rhino, Mandarin sika, Indian gaur, Javan banteng, nilgai, urial, Arabian-horned oryx, Przewalski's wild horse, Bactrian camel, Bactrian wapiti, and white-lipped deer.

I know for a fact they're down to their last gaur and sika, but they should still have the rest.

As of the spring of last year, the collection should include Indian rhinoceros, Przewalski’s horse, Indian gaur, Javan banteng, nilgai, Arabian oryx, blackbuck, Turkmenian markhor, Transcapsian urial, desert bighorn sheep, white-lipped deer, Mandarin sika, Indochinese sika, Malayan sambar, barasingha, Burmese brow-antlered deer, and Père David’s deer.

The Bactrian camels are gone, the Bactrian wapiti were moved to the North Africa habitat, but are due to be phased out. The gaur, Père David’s, and both sika are older, so I cannot guarantee they are still around/haven’t been moved behind the scenes. The markhor were also due to also be shipped out and be replaced by the park’s Nubian ibex herd.

I will also add that I have been following and enjoying this thread! Thanks for your hard work, @pachyderm pro!

 

[Westcoastperson]

As of the spring of last year, the collection should include Indian rhinoceros, Przewalski’s horse, Indian gaur, Javan banteng, nilgai, Arabian oryx, blackbuck, Turkmenian markhor, Transcapsian urial, desert bighorn sheep, white-lipped deer, Mandarin sika, Indochinese sika, Malayan sambar, barasingha, Burmese brow-antlered deer, and Père David’s deer.

The Bactrian camels are gone, the Bactrian wapiti were moved to the North Africa habitat, but are due to be phased out. The gaur, Père David’s, and both sika are older, so I cannot guarantee they are still around/haven’t been moved behind the scenes. The markhor were also due to also be shipped out and be replaced by the park’s Nubian ibex herd.

I will also add that I have been following and enjoying this thread! Thanks for your hard work, @pachyderm pro!

When the original version of the Safari park app came out I explicitly remember the second Desert Bighorn sheep heard being in that rocky hillside exhibit next to the South Africa Exhibit. Opposite to the current Asian ungulate hill (old North Africa).

 

[pachyderm pro]

California - SeaWorld San Diego

Founded: 1964
Size: 189 Acres (76 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 340
Mammals 15
Birds 54
Reptiles & Amphibians 26
Fish 214
Invertebrates 31

Opinions of the SeaWorld parks will differ from person to person and have become controversial in nature. However, there is no doubt that they are an iconic franchise in the zoo world and it's worth visiting at least one of them. Between the three existing locations, the San Diego facility is by far the strongest thanks in part to some species you can’t find at any other facility in North America. Of course there are also the various animal shows and presentations which have become synonymous with the brand. The killer whale show has shifted to be more education focused and is all the better for it, but the dolphin and sea lion shows are still far less professional affairs. The lure of pilot whales may be enough to entice one to check out the dolphin presentation, but only if you're up to some singing to some ukulele tunes in the process. Beyond the shows there are some highlights that many enthusiasts will appreciate. Wild Arctic has an impressive species line-up with beluga whale, walrus, harbor seal and ringed seal. On a related note, don’t miss the only guadalupe fur seals in a North American zoo elsewhere in the park. There are various aquarium buildings scattered throughout that are all nicely done, with sea turtles and sharks having the most impressive displays. The penguin exhibit is one of the park's strongest areas with the only emperor penguins in the country. Standing on a moving walkway for a limited amount of time all to catch a glimpse through heavy condensation isn't the ideal viewing experience, but it's one of the best cold-weather penguin habitats anywhere in the world. While SeaWorld may not be everybody's taste there should be something to entice you to give it a try, and even if you can’t seem to look past all of the roller coasters and commercialism at least you get to see some rare marine mammals in the process.

Killer Whale Presentation, @geomorph

Antarctic Penguin Exhibit, @geomorph

Beluga Whale Tank, @DelacoursLangur

Caribbean Flamingo and Demoiselle Crane Exhibit, @DelacoursLangur

Turtle Reef Tank, @geomorph

Zoochat Gallery:
SeaWorld San Diego - ZooChat

Zoo Website:
SeaWorld Theme Park - California Aquariums | SeaWorld San Diego

Zoo Map:
https://seaworld.com/-/media/255979636d1d4323a5f30bb29df2e237.ashx?version=1_202201221447

 

[lintworm]

California - SeaWorld San Diego

Founded: 1964
Size: 189 Acres (76 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): c. 1,150
On Exhibit Mammals 12
On Exhibit Birds 25
On Exhibit Reptiles & Amphibians 3
On Exhibit Fish 500

I am not sure where you get these figures from, as they seem gigantic overestimates. Let me send you the latest version of the International Zoo Yearbook in a PM, whose statistics are as follows:

Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 340
Mammals 15
Birds 54
Reptiles & Amphibians 26
Fish 214
Invertebrates 31