The National Zoological Park, or the National Zoo, was founded in 1889 and is one of the oldest American zoos. Located in Washington, D.C., the zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institution and is one of the few zoos that have free admission. The zoo is home to about 2,000 animals that represent 400 species. About 40 of them are on the endangered list. Besides the Washington, D.C., campus, the zoo has a second campus in Front Royal, Virginia. The most charismatic zoo residents are the giant pandas, but the zoo also provides a home for great apes, birds, big cats, insects, Asian elephants, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, aquatic animals, and others. Some of the major habitats are Giant Panda, Elephant Trail, Asia Trail, Lemur Island, the Great Ape House, Think Tank, and others.

National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, Phone: 202-633-4888

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