Sedgwick County Zoo
Kansas
Sedgwick County Zoo, located in Wichita, Kansas, is one of the largest and most respected zoos in the United States. Established in 1971 through a partnership between Sedgwick County and the Sedgwick County Zoological Society, it spans 247 acres with 115 developed for exhibits. The zoo is home to over 3,000 animals representing nearly 400 species, making it the 13th largest zoo nationwide by species count and animal population. It is nationally and internationally recognized for its conservation efforts and successful breeding programs of rare and endangered species. Visitors can explore diverse habitats including the African Veldt, Downing Gorilla Forest, Pride of the Plains, Penguin Cove, and the expansive Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley exhibit. The zoo offers unique viewing experiences such as observing gorillas across moats and underwater viewing of elephants in a massive pool. It is the top outdoor tourist attraction in Kansas, combining education, conservation, and engaging wildlife encounters.
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Consejo: Plan your visit during spring through fall for optimal animal visibility and outdoor experience. Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid lines and check the zoo’s website for seasonal exhibit closures, especially those affected by avian influenza. Take advantage of keeper chats and feeding sessions scheduled throughout the day to enhance your visit. Memberships and donations support conservation efforts and provide benefits such as early entry and discounts. Note that elephants are kept indoors during cold weather, and some habitats may close temporarily due to health precautions.
Datos interesantes
- •Sedgwick County Zoo is the 13th largest zoo in the US by number of species and animals.
- •It houses over 3,000 animals of nearly 400 species.
- •The Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley is the third largest elephant exhibit in the United States.
- •The zoo has successfully bred many rare and endangered species, contributing to global conservation.
- •The zoo’s African Veldt once housed two Nile hippopotamuses for over 50 years.
- •Visitors can view elephants swimming through an underwater viewing pool, a rare feature in US zoos.
Historia
Sedgwick County Zoo opened on August 25, 1971, replacing older, smaller exhibits in Central Riverside Park.
The Sedgwick County Zoological Society was formed in 1963 to promote the zoo’s development, and public bonds were approved in 1966 to acquire land.
The first director, Richard Blakey from Brookfield Zoo, guided early growth.
Initial exhibits focused on American and Asian farms, expanding through the 1970s and 1980s to include African Veldt, Herpetarium, Tropics, Australia/South America, and primate habitats.
Later decades saw new major exhibits like Pride of the Plains (2000), Downing Gorilla Forest (2004), Penguin Cove (2007), Slawson Family Asian Big Cat Trek (expanded 2021), and the Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley (2016).
The zoo has grown into a premier conservation and educational facility over five decades.
Guía del lugar
Downing Gorilla Forest2004
This exhibit features a recreated Congo village with colobus monkeys, white pelicans, saddle-billed storks, black crowned cranes, okapis, and a large gorilla habitat. Visitors can observe gorillas indoors, through large windows, or across a moat, offering immersive viewing experiences.
Pride of the Plains2000
Opened in 2000, this area showcases African lions, red river hogs, meerkats, and African painted dogs within a kopje-themed landscape featuring giant boulders. Exhibits offer multiple viewing angles to appreciate animal behaviors.
Penguin Cove2007
The zoo’s first marine exhibit, opened in 2007, houses Humboldt penguins, Inca terns, and grey gulls. It features a 42,000-gallon pool with rocky coves, creating a naturalistic environment for the birds.
African Veldt
A large exhibit featuring giraffes, African bush elephants, Grévy's zebras, black rhinoceros, caracals, Marabou storks, and blue cranes. It includes the Reed Family Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley, a 5-acre elephant habitat with a 550,000-gallon pool and underwater viewing separated by an underwater barrier.
Contacto
Teléfono: (316) 660-9453
