Zoo Rating: San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo

San Diego, California, USA

 

 

About the zoo

San Diego Zoo is one of the biggest zoos across the world. The zoo has about 4000 animals and more than 800 species. The 40 hectare zoo opened in 1916, and works closely with the San Diego Safari Park.

1. Species

Giant pandas, several types of birds-of-paradise, Siberian musk deers, great blue turacos, spotted-necked otters, congo peafowl, Baird’s tapirs, crested gibbons, koalas, Tasmanian devils, gerenuks, black duikers, cock-of-the-rocks…in short, enough interesting species in the San Diego Zoo. Add some general and popular zoo animals, along with lots and lots of other species, and that kind of sums up the San Diego Zoo species list.

Score: 9.5

2. Animal welfare

The fact that the San Diego Zoo breeds with a lot of endangered and hard-to-keep species, shows that the zoo really cares about its animals. All the enclosures are big, and seem to fulfill all requirements of the animals.

Score; 8.5

3. Construction

Wonderful. Just wonderful. The whole zoo gives you a subtropical feeling, but the various areas have their own atmosphere. All enclosures look great, a real treat for the eyes. The enclosures are different than in most other zoos, but some of them are a bit the same.

Score: 9

4. Accomodations

San Diego Zoo has no less then 16 dining/catering facilities, but that’s what a park of that size needs. They also have 11 gift shops, drinking fountains, ATMs and baby care centers. If you’re tired of the long walk, you can even take the zoobus or the chairlift.

Score: 9

5. Interaction

The zoo has two big walkthrough aviaries, but the interaction doesn’t get much further than that. You do get real close with the animals though.

Score: 7

6. Education

The zoo does a bit about education, with having a panda research station. But next to the general signs, the zoo has much larger signs around the zoo with more information about its animals and their habitats.

Score: 7.5

Total Score: 8.4

San Diego Zoo is definitely one of the most beautiful zoos you’ll ever visit, and they a ton of great species. If you really want to see the whole zoo, buying a ticket for two days isn’t a bad option, or be sure to be there early, because it definitely takes a whole day to see everything. Zoo lover or not, you’ll surely enjoy San Diego Zoo.

Gerben, 10/05/14