The Best Zoos On Offer Across The US

Zoos can be quite conflicting places to visit in the modern day. Concerns about animal welfare and taking creatures out of their natural habitats so that other people can see them have attracted plenty of controversy. However, zoos can also be great places, especially if they’re ethically minded.

Not only can they help to protect endangered species, but they also allow us all to better understand and appreciate these animals. So, as long as you’re visiting a zoo that really cares about doing right by wildlife, you don’t need to feel guilty if you spend the day at one. Perhaps knowing which are some of the best zoos on offer across the US will help you to make up your mind?

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has been around for over 130 years

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is one of the oldest of its kind in the US, having been established back in 1889. Of course, plenty has changed since then, with the spot doing a lot to help and support animals both in the zoo and outside of it. This includes helping to promote the births of endangered species, reintroducing creatures safely into the wild, and conducting scientific studies to improve our understanding of these animals. If all of that sounds good to you, you’ll be glad to know that the zoo offers free admission, so you can enjoy their hard work without paying a dime. Once you’re there, you can get to know over 2,000 different animals, including sea lions, elephants, and Andean bear cubs.

The Saint Louis Zoo has done plenty to support other parts of the world

Another zoo that won’t cost you anything to visit is the Saint Louis Zoo, and it’s definitely somewhere we’d recommend going to. It was only in 2022 that the facility was noticed by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and awarded the Worldwide Conservation Award. Although based in St. Louis, they’ve done a lot for the Galapagos Islands and have helped thousands of endangered snail species return to French Polynesia. On top of that, they have one of the biggest amphibian reintroduction programs in the world, meaning they’re doing their part to keep extinction at bay. With Sumatran orangutans, polar bears, and black rhinoceros among the 16,000 plus animals available to see at the zoo, you’re bound to have a great day out.

The Oakland Zoo helped to develop a ground-breaking method of animal husbandry

If you want to see a wonderful variety of animals without feeling guilty, the Oakland Zoo is definitely a spot to consider visiting. About 20 miles from downtown San Francisco, it’s long been considered a leader in animal welfare, rescue, and conservation. One of the ways they stand out is through ‘protected contact,’ their form of animal husbandry that has been adopted by many other animal behaviorists. By using rewards as an incentive, it ensures that the process is not one that might be considered torturous for the animals. Alongside exceptional programs like this, the zoo has over 850 species, including bears, lions, and wallabies, with many of them being rescues. So, this is absolutely a wonderful place to visit.

San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have helped to save animals from extinction

Apparently, some 6 million people head to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park every year. Well, is that really a surprise when these spots greatly care about the animals and put them first? From sustainable conservation programs to educating all generations about how to support the animals of the world, the zoo has done a lot of good over the years. Some of their efforts in the past have included saving the California condor from extinction and helping the likes of chimpanzees, elephants, leopards, and polar bears. Their work has a global reach and will continue to do so as long as they have support from the public. Why wouldn’t you want to head here, though, when you can see Tasmanian devils, koalas, and pygmy hippopotamuses all in one go?

Alaska SeaLife Center plays a huge supporting role for the state’s marine life

If it’s marine animals that you want to see, the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward might be a good idea. It’s the only place in the entire state that has an authorized rehabilitation program to help support stranded marine mammals. When you’re here, you can familiarize yourself with the various animals and ecosystems that have a home in Alaska, which includes sea lions, horned puffins, and even giant Pacific octopuses. Not only will your visit help you to learn more about the creatures of the coast, but you’ll also support an establishment that does a lot of good for Alaskan wildlife. Along with research, the establishment helps respond to oil spills and handles injured or abandoned animals, whether they’re still alive or not.

Zoos might not always have the best reputation nowadays, but the best zoos on offer across the US prove they can be a force for good. Their work and research is absolutely something most people can get behind.