Litchfield Park, Arizona, is home to one of the state’s most popular attractions, Wildlife World. Encompassing a zoo, aquarium, and safari park, an afternoon here is bound to entertain, excite, and educate the whole family. The Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium provides unique interactive experiences with wildlife from all corners of the Earth. From feeding a giraffe to walking with the kangaroos, visitors are presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity to connect with nature in unprecedented ways. With the largest collection of exotic animals in the state, this landmark is the premiere destination for nature lovers across the country.
Aquarium
Building A houses the first portion of the aquarium’s exhibits, aimed at educating visitors about the diversity of life in the world’s prominent waterways. Covering the biodiversity seen in the Amazon River, Caribbean Ocean, and South Pacific, visitors are able gain an appreciation for the wide variety of adaptations both predators and prey have developed over the millennia to ensure their survival to the present day. Among these, three species of the mighty alligator can be observed: The American, dwarf, and Nile species. The South Pacific Tunnel and the Amazon River have their own dedicated exhibit stations in this building. Further, there are touch pools where visitors can examine the smaller creatures on display.
The Wildlife Aquarium is the only venue in the state of Arizona that displays sea mammals, and their delightful trio of California sea lions can be viewed at Shipwreck Cove. At select times, visitors can get an intimate look at sea lion behavior during their educational demonstrations as well as during the live feeding sessions.
Zoo
There is much to see and experience at the Wildlife Zoo. Children and adults alike flock in droves for a chance to spot adorable baby animals in the Animal Nursery. Because the animals being nursed change periodically, visitors are advised to inquire about this feature while planning their visit. Other zoo rarities include the endangered white rhinoceros, brought all the way from Africa. While visitors must be content with observing this gentle giant from outside of his spacious enclosure, the Kangaroo Walkabout offers guests a chance to experience these bouncy marsupials up close through the Kangaroo Walkabout program. Here, visitors can actually walk amongst the red kangaroos and interact with them as they hop about, eat, and nap.
The zoo is also home to an impressive number of wild cats. Lions, servals, and ocelots are just a few of the many species of wild cats that live at the zoo. Other apex predators worth checking out include a rare albino alligator, which can be found in the reptile section of the zoo.
Safari Park
The Wildlife Zoo contains a separate section dedicated to facilitating learning about the animals that hail from the African savannah. This 15-acre space contains a lion enclosure, black-backed jackals, spotted hyenas, and much more. Playful monkeys such as the spider monkey and the capuchin can be seen alongside exotic African bird species such as the African grey parrot, vasa parrot and the East African crowned cranes. Visitors are permitted to walk around Safari Park or take the tram ride through several of its exhibits.
Adentureland
Those interested in the creatures found in North, South, and Central America are invited to visit the Adventureland 15-acre exhibit space. The enclosures here house species more recognizable to the North American visitor. Among these are bears, cougars, bobcats, and buffalo.
This portion of the park also offers entertaining amusement park rides that cater equally to the risk averse as much as to the thrill seekers in the crowd. For a stunning view and a relaxing ride, visitors are encouraged to try the Sky ride. This 15-minute ride offers visitors an overview of the entire facility and a chance to pause and reflect on their experiences at the park as they gaze upon the beautiful Arizona skyline.
Visitors who are not opposed to getting a little wet can try the educational and entertaining Log Flume Ride. The path of this ride winds around three primate islands and acquaints visitors with the aquatic life seen in their Pacific Reef Tunnel Tank. The ride concludes with an electrifying three-story plunge into a pool of water.
Adrenaline junkies have a variety of ways to get their fix of adventure by trying the 100-foot-high Soaring Eagle Zip Line, which runs over the outdoor animal exhibits. The roller coaster, Swing Ride, and Flying Scooter Ride also offer additional excitement for both kids and adults.
16501 W. Northern Ave, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340, Phone: 623-935-9453
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