This zoo along with chapultepec is one of the best zoos in Mexico. It is located in the beautiful district of Tlalpan in delegacion Coyocan. The zoo takes its name from its location in delegation Coyocan. ( The aztecs named this location "place of the abundant coyotes" which is very appropriate) The zoo along with Chapultepec is under the management of the government. This zoo is much more humble then chapultepec with less species , less pomp but no with probably more honourable intentions then the national zoo of Mexico. The zoo is completely pro- conservation keeping only fauna from Mexico, with an excellent record of breeding the Mexican wolf (an endangered subspecies of the grey wolf extinct in the wild) the Axotlt Most remarkably the zoo has an ongoing breeding programe of the highly endangered Volcano rabbit which the famous conservationist Gerald Durrel spent months trying to catch to start a breeding programe in Jersey zoo. The zoo is situated in a woodland area (completely safe) with a running track and a childrens playground before the animal enclosures. The enclosures are much more spacious then the ones in Chapultepec, particulary the wolves enclosures.( which have canvas covering around the wire in many places in order not to distrub this beautiful species) The animals here all seem very content particulary one of the male wolves who will often come up to the fence to say a wolfy "hola" to visitors. The zoo has a huge and very impressive aviary for a pair of Golden eagles , it is perfect for seeing the eagles glide around the other avaries adjoined are all spacious for the birds.(although a particulary large one i cant help but think is wasted on domestic and prehispanic breeds of ducks and geese)
The zoo is very popular with famillies with many childrens fiestas and gatherings going on at the begining of the zoo before the animal enclosures. The zoo de los coyotes is undergoing a huge programe to enrich the animals lives in captivity and there is a daily talk (in Spanish) at 1:00 by the pumas enclosure about the importance of enrichment in captive collections. There is another display of animal enrichment in the racoons enclosure where it is possible to see them hunting small fish in a pond.There is a main building in the centre of the zoo which contains reptiles amphibians and small mammals from Mexico and central America. The zoo is open liberally from 6:00 am to 6:00pm ( early morning is perfect to view the pumas and coyotes) and entrance is free for the reason i stated in an earlier post reviewing Chapultepec zoo. Although there are few animals in this zoo and it may seem more like a city park then a zoo dont be put off this zoo has a fantastic record of captive breeding.
Here is a list of species kept at this zoo.
Coyote(very active)
Mexican wolf
Puma
Grey fox
Coati
Racoons
Skunk
jackrabbit
prarie dog
ground squirrel
Volcano Rabbit( perhaps 30 are displayed in an enclosure)
Opposum ( 1 very foul smelling and active example)
ring tailed cat or "cacomitle"
kinkajou
white tailed deer
peccary
Golden eagle
Caracara
red tailed eagle
Sonoran raven
Chicken hawk
mexican falcon
various and boring domestic ducks and pigeons
Mexican tree frog
Axotltl
Cincuate snake
King snake
water snake
false coral snake
tarantula of pedregal
red kneed sonoran tarantula
various types of salamanders and toads
Hope this comes as useful to any visitors to my country......
The zoo is very popular with famillies with many childrens fiestas and gatherings going on at the begining of the zoo before the animal enclosures. The zoo de los coyotes is undergoing a huge programe to enrich the animals lives in captivity and there is a daily talk (in Spanish) at 1:00 by the pumas enclosure about the importance of enrichment in captive collections. There is another display of animal enrichment in the racoons enclosure where it is possible to see them hunting small fish in a pond.There is a main building in the centre of the zoo which contains reptiles amphibians and small mammals from Mexico and central America. The zoo is open liberally from 6:00 am to 6:00pm ( early morning is perfect to view the pumas and coyotes) and entrance is free for the reason i stated in an earlier post reviewing Chapultepec zoo. Although there are few animals in this zoo and it may seem more like a city park then a zoo dont be put off this zoo has a fantastic record of captive breeding.
Here is a list of species kept at this zoo.
Coyote(very active)
Mexican wolf
Puma
Grey fox
Coati
Racoons
Skunk
jackrabbit
prarie dog
ground squirrel
Volcano Rabbit( perhaps 30 are displayed in an enclosure)
Opposum ( 1 very foul smelling and active example)
ring tailed cat or "cacomitle"
kinkajou
white tailed deer
peccary
Golden eagle
Caracara
red tailed eagle
Sonoran raven
Chicken hawk
mexican falcon
various and boring domestic ducks and pigeons
Mexican tree frog
Axotltl
Cincuate snake
King snake
water snake
false coral snake
tarantula of pedregal
red kneed sonoran tarantula
various types of salamanders and toads
Hope this comes as useful to any visitors to my country......