How many zoos have you visited? (poll 2)

[TZDugong]

I’ve had Smithsonian on my list for so long!

Why? There are many better zoos in the US. I’m thinking it has something to do with Sun Bears

 

[Brum]

Why? There are many better zoos in the US. I’m thinking it has something to do with Sun Bears

No sun bears at Smithsonian...

 

[ThylacineAlive]

Why? There are many better zoos in the US. I’m thinking it has something to do with Sun Bears

Smithsonian doesn't have Sun Bears.

I do agree with you that it's not the greatest zoo despite being our national zoo. I quite enjoyed it on my last visit in 2012, but it seems as though it's declined in several ways since then with the closing of the invertebrate house and the current renovation of the bird house seems to be underwhelming.

~Thylo

 

[TZDugong]

Ah got my Sloth Bears and my Sun Bears mixed up

Smithsonian doesn't have Sun Bears.

I do agree with you that it's not the greatest zoo despite being our national zoo. I quite enjoyed it on my last visit in 2012, but it seems as though it's declined in several ways since then with the closing of the invertebrate house and the current renovation of the bird house seems to be underwhelming.

~Thylo

I too enjoyed my visit to the National Zoo and I by no means dislike it. I was just saying that there are many more interesting zoos to visit in the Us.

 

[Okapipako]

Smithsonian is pretty solid! Asia Trail (with sloth bears) and Amazonia are highlights IMO. A little more might be expected from an institution of that caliber but coupled with the museums it makes for a very worthwhile trip.

 

[agnmeln]

Why? There are many better zoos in the US. I’m thinking it has something to do with Sun Bears

For a while I had a very keen interest in the US studbook for spectacled bears and I had drawn up a little family tree and all kinds, so I really wanted to go and visit Billie Jean (Mother of Bernardo at Chester Zoo) and her numerous cubs since she is such a great breeder and has produced so well - now most of her cubs have cubs of their own. I had also never seen a sloth bear before until December just gone, so this would have been a perfect opportunity for me. But you are kind of right, it’s all about the bears! Although so far I haven’t yet been to a US zoo that holds sun bears!

 

[Crowthorne]

Just pulled this list out of my head, so there may be ommissions, and some places I visited as a child, so can't really remember (I wish I could remember more of Windsor Safari Park in general, but I can still clearly and fondly remember Winnie the Orca). 36 isn't a bad total, considering I'm more likely to re-visit a few favourite home-zoos of a weekend than seek out new places. I'm unsure about putting the Portsmouth Victoria Park Aviary on the list, I can only remember general pet bird species being kept there (but as someone who has been owned by several budgies through my life, I do love stumbling across a place with budgies!)

1. ZSL London Zoo
2. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
3. Woburn Safari Park
4. Winsdor Safari Park
5. Twycross Zoo
6. Tropical Birdland, Desford
7. Shepreth Wildlife Park
8. Paradise Wildlife Park
9. Howletts Wild Animal Park
10. Paignton Zoo
11. Shaldon Zoo
12. Living Coasts
13. Rare Species Conservation Centre
14. Chessington World of Adventures (Zoo)
15. Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
16. Brighton SeaLife Centre
17. London Aquarium (SeaLife Centre)
18. Bristol Zoo Gardens
19. Edinburgh Zoo
20. Dublin Zoo
21. Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water
22. Blackpool Zoo
23. Ventura Zoo
24. The old Van Hage’s Garden Centre animal collection
25. Colchester Zoo
26. Cotswold Wildlife Park
27. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
28. Horniman Museum Aquarium
29. Hunstanton SeaLife and Seal Sanctuary
30. Great Yarmouth SeaLife
31. The Living Rainforest
32. Wingham
33. Dubai Aquarium (well, the big tank visible from the mall)
34. Combe Martin Wildlife Park
35. Oxford University Museum of Natural History
36. Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park

 

[Jaxton]

I only have a few zoos under my belt unfortunately, but I have high hopes! I plan to visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park this summer! But currently I have been to:

1. Hogle Zoo
2. Oakland Zoo
3. Phoenix Zoo
4. San Diego Zoo
5. Denver Zoo
6. SeaWorld San Diego

 

[tschandler71]

Here is a new (second) poll to replace the one from a few years ago. I will define "zoo" in the broadest term to include aquariums, safari parks, exotic animal sanctuaries, etc.

Edit - this time I am allowing the option to change your vote if you get to a higher number in the future.

Birmingham Zoo
Montgomery Zoo
Zoo Atlanta
Riverbanks Zoo
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Georgia Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Bright's Zoo
Chattanooga Zoo
Nashville Zoo
Knoxville Zoo
Memphis Zoo
NC Zoo
Tennessee Safari Park
Jackson Zoo
Lowry Park Zoo
Jacksonville Zoo

 

[TeaLovingDave]

If all goes well, my upcoming trips to Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium will give me another 17 collections

The first chunk of these aforesaid trips has now taken place - the second to follow in April - leaving me with a little updating to do:

Collections visited as of 13/02/2018: 119

Austria: 1 collection

Innsbruck Alpenzoo (first visited 2015)

Belgium: 1 collection

Antwerp Zoo (first visited 2018)

Czech Republic: 6 collections

AkvaTera Plzen (first visited 2017)
Krokodýlí Zoo Praha (first visited 2017)
Prague Zoo (first visited 2017)
Zoo Jihlava (first visited 2017)
Zoo Plzen (first visited 2017)
Zoopark Chomutov (first visited 2017)

Germany: 22 collections

Erlenbis-Zoo Hannover (first visited 2016)
Klimahaus Bremerhavn (first visited 2016)
Planten un Blomen (first visited 2016)
Tiergarten Nurnberg (first visited 2015)
Tierpark Berlin (first visited 2014)
Tierpark Hagenbeck (first visited 2016)
Tierpark Hellabrunn (first visited 2015)
Tropen-Aquarium Hagenbeck (first visited 2016)
Vogelpark Niendorf (first visited 2016)
Vogelpark Olching (first visited 2015)
Weltvogelpark Walsrode (first visited 2016)
Wildgehege Klovensteen (first visited 2016)
Wildpark Schwartze-Berge (first visited 2016)
Wilhelma (first visited 2015)
Zoo am Meer (first visited 2016)
Zoo-Aquarium Berlin (first visited 2014)
Zoo Augsburg (first visited 2015)
Zoo Berlin (first visited 2014)
Zoo Duisburg (first visited 2018)
Zoo Krefeld (first visited 2018)
Zoo Leipzig (first visited 2014)
Zoo Magdeburg (first visited 2014)

Netherlands: 6 collections

BestZoo (first visited 2018)
Burger's Zoo (first visited 2018)
Dierenpark Amersfoort (first visited 2018)
Dierenpark Zie-Zoo (first visited 2018)
Diergaarde Blijdorp (first visited 2018)
Natura Artis Magistra (first visited 2018)

United Kingdom: 83 collections

Amazon World Zoo Park (first visited 2013)
Aquarium of the Lakes (first visited 2015)
Battersea Park Children's Zoo (first visited 2017)
Birdland Park and Gardens (first visited 2013)
Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park (first visited 2011)
Blackbrook Zoo (first visited 2013)
Blackpool Zoo (first visited 2011)
Bluereef Tynemouth (first visited 2009)
Bristol Zoo (first visited 2011)
Butterfly World Stockton (first visited c.1999)
Cedars Nature Centre (first visited 2017)
Chester Cathedral Falconry (first visited 2017)
Chester Zoo (first visited 2010)
Chestnut Centre Otter, Owl and Wildlife Park (first visited 2011)
Colchester Zoo (first visited 2013)
Cotswold Falconry Centre (first visited 2014)
Cotswold Wildlife Park (first visited 2013)
Crocodiles of the World - original site (first visited 2013)
Crocodiles of the World - new site (first visited 2014)
Dudley Zoo (first visited 2011)
East Park Animal Centre (first visited 2017)
Edinburgh Zoo (first visited 2010)
Exmoor Zoo (first visited 2013)
Falconry Days (first visited 2013)
Five Sisters Zoo Park (first visited 2012)
Flamingo Land (first visited c.1992)
Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park (first visited 2012)
Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre (first visited 2013)
Hagley Falconry Centre (first visited 2015)
Hamerton Zoo (first visited 2011)
Hawk Conservancy Trust (first visited 2015)
Heythrop Zoo (first visited 2014)
Highland Wildlife Park (first visited 1989)
Howletts Wild Animal Park (first visited 2012)
ICBP Duncombe Park (first visited 2015)
Jesmond Dene Pets Corner (first visited 2015)
Kew Gardens (first visited 2009)
Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens (first visited 2013)
Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre (first visited 2012)
Kirkleatham Owl Centre (first visited 2015)
Lake District Wildlife Park (first visited 2015)
Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre (first visited 2015)
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis (first visited 2015)
Libertys Raptor and Reptile Centre (first visited 2006)
Linton Zoo (first visited 2014)
Living Coasts (first visited 2013)
Manchester Museum Vivarium (first visited 2011)
Marwell Zoo (first visited 2013)
Monkey Haven (first visited 2013)
Newquay Zoo (first visited 2013)
North Anston Tropical House (first visited 2014)
Paignton Zoo (first visited 2013)
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park (first visited 2013)
Reaseheath Zoo (first visited 2015)
Regent's Park Waterfowl Collection (first visited 2017)
Scottish Owl Centre (first visited 2015)
SEALIFE Blackpool (first visited 2015)
SEALIFE Manchester (first visited 2016)
SEALIFE Oban (first visited 1994)
SEALIFE Scarborough (first visited c.1992)
Shaldon Wildlife Trust (first visited 2013)
Shepreth Wildlife Park (first visited 2014)
Skye Serpentarium (first visited 1998)
South Lakes Wild Animal Park (first visited 2012)
The Deep (first visited 2017)
Thirsk Bird of Prey Centre (first visited 2015)
Thorp Perrow Arboretum (first visited 2013)
Tropical World Leeds (first visited 2013)
Twycross Zoo (first visited 2011)
Welsh Mountain Zoo (first visited 2012)
West Midland Safari Park (first visited 2015)
Wingham Wildlife Park (first visited 2017)
Wild Animal Adventures (first visited 2014)
Wild Place (first visited 2013)
Wildwood Trust (first visited 2017)
Woburn Safari Park (first visited 2013)
World Owl Trust Muncaster Castle (first visited 1990)
WWT Martin Mere (first visited 2013)
WWT Slimbridge (first visited 2013)
WWT Washington (first visited 2004)
Yorkshire Wildlife Park (first visited 2014)
ZSL London Zoo (first visited 2012)
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (first visited 2013)

 

[agnmeln]

How is Innsbruck Zoo? I quite fancy another trip to the city, and have done for some time, so this could potentially be a great excuse to go.

I also really fancy trips to revisit Vienna, Rome, Monte Carlo and Aarhus at some point, but I don’t believe that there are any zoos local to these cities that would really hold up? Therefore Innsbruck could well be the one.

 

[Brum]

I also really fancy trips to revisit Vienna, Rome, Monte Carlo and Aarhus at some point, but I don’t believe that there are any zoos local to these cities that would really hold up? Therefore Innsbruck could well be the one.

Vienna has (arguably) one of the best zoos in Europe, which also happens to be the oldest zoo still in existence. It also has the desert house close by and an aquarium in a disused flak tower (Haus De Meers).

 

[TeaLovingDave]

How is Innsbruck Zoo? I quite fancy another trip to the city, and have done for some time, so this could potentially be a great excuse to go.

I love the place, personally, and have written a substantial review:

Alpine Zoo Innsbruck - The Alpine Adventures Of A Tea-Loving Dave - April 11 2015

 

[agnmeln]

Vienna has (arguably) one of the best zoos in Europe, which also happens to be the oldest zoo still in existence. It also has the desert house close by and an aquarium in a disused flak tower (Haus De Meers).

That’s interesting - I don’t hear an awful lot said about it. I had always assumed it was a decent zoo, but then since joining this forum I noticed it was rarely mentioned. Maybe worth giving both a go in one trip.

I love the place, personally, and have written a substantial review:

Alpine Zoo Innsbruck - The Alpine Adventures Of A Tea-Loving Dave - April 11 2015

Cheers! Off to discover more!

 

[azcheetah2]

Hmmm. It's been awhile since I've counted...

Arizona:
Payson Zoo (long since closed)
Bearizona
Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
Out of Africa (both locations)
Phoenix Zoo
Wildlife World Zoo
Keepers of the Wild
Reid Park Zoo
Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum

California:
Sea World
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Safari Park
LA Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo
Exotic Feline Breeding Compound

Washington:
Woodland Park Zoo (barely counts as I was only 3)

Nevada:
Mandalay Bay Aquarium (I was there when they had the hammerhead)
Southern Nevada Zoological Park (aka Las Vegas Zoo)
Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden

I think that's it so...19? I need to get cracking and start visiting zoos again. My elderly mom lives with me now so traveling isn't as easy as it used to be.

I knew I'd forget a couple...both in Arizona...
Phoenix Herpetological Society
Southwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

So, 21...22 if you count both locations of Out of Africa. That sounds better than 19. Hahaha

 

[NigeW]

I'm on 48, so should hit the half century this year.

Reading through some that others claim as 'zoos', I could actually claim the half century now!

@beccasunbear, Aarhus doesn't have anything to speak of, but if you fly into Copenhagen and get the train up you could do Copenhagen and also encounter Odense on the way up to Aarhus.

 

[agnmeln]

I'm on 48, so should hit the half century this year.

Reading through some that others claim as 'zoos', I could actually claim the half century now!

@beccasunbear, Aarhus doesn't have anything to speak of, but if you fly into Copenhagen and get the train up you could do Copenhagen and also encounter Odense on the way up to Aarhus.

It seems that potentially Innsbruck, Vienna and Aarhus are all quite viable zoo wise . . . shame about Monte Carlo!

 

[birdsandbats]

My List (in no particular order):

Wisconsin
1. Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo & Adventure Park
2. Henry Vilas Zoo
3. Milwaukee County Zoo
4. Special Memories Zoo
5. Animal Haven Zoo
6. Timbavati Wildlife Park
7. Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo
8. Ochsner Park Zoo
9. Bay Beach Wildlife Santuary
10. International Crane Foundation
11. Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin
12. Wildwood Zoo
13. Menominee Park Zoo
14. Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo
15. Lakewood Zoo & Gift Shop (now closed)
16. Discovery World: Reiman Aquarium
17. Glacier Ridge Animal Farm
18. MacKenzie Center
Iowa
19. National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Illinois
20. Brookfield Zoo
21. Lincoln Park Zoo
22. John G. Shedd Aquarium
23. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Micigan
24. DeYoung Family Zoo
Florida
25. SeaWorld Orlando
26. Disney's Animal Kingdom
27. The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot
28. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
District of Columbia
29. Smithsonian National Zoo
Minnesota
30. Minnesota Zoo
31. Como Park Zoo
32. SEA LIFE Minnesota
California
33. San Diego Zoo Safari Park (WAP then)

Wow, that's more than I thought. Many of these, sadly, I don't remember well. I hope to visit more this summer and up this total.

 

[CGSwans]

I'm curious to know who our seven triple centurions are. SnowLeopard, Sooty and Maguari have tipped their hands, and I'm guessing @devilfish, @Tim Brown and @Tim May make six? Who is our hidden zoological super fan?

 

[birdsandbats]

My List (in no particular order):

Wisconsin
1. Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo & Adventure Park
2. Henry Vilas Zoo
3. Milwaukee County Zoo
4. Special Memories Zoo
5. Animal Haven Zoo
6. Timbavati Wildlife Park
7. Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo
8. Ochsner Park Zoo
9. Bay Beach Wildlife Santuary
10. International Crane Foundation
11. Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin
12. Wildwood Zoo
13. Menominee Park Zoo
14. Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo
15. Lakewood Zoo & Gift Shop (now closed)
16. Discovery World: Reiman Aquarium
17. Glacier Ridge Animal Farm
18. MacKenzie Center
Iowa
19. National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Illinois
20. Brookfield Zoo
21. Lincoln Park Zoo
22. John G. Shedd Aquarium
23. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Micigan
24. DeYoung Family Zoo
Florida
25. SeaWorld Orlando
26. Disney's Animal Kingdom
27. The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot
28. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
District of Columbia
29. Smithsonian National Zoo
Minnesota
30. Minnesota Zoo
31. Como Park Zoo
32. SEA LIFE Minnesota
California
33. San Diego Zoo Safari Park (WAP then)

Wow, that's more than I thought. Many of these, sadly, I don't remember well. I hope to visit more this summer and up this total.

I forgot about Aquarium of the Pacific, which brings my total to 34.