The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is the second oldest in The United States having opened to the public in 1875. The zoo started out modestly with just 65 acres of land and a few animals including monkeys, grizzly bears, deer, a retired circus elephant, and a few others; however, the bird collection was large with over 400 at the time.
The zoo has earned the honor of being the greenest zoo in America. Over 1.5 million people a year visit this zoo that is also recognized as one of the top ten zoos in the country. In 1987 the zoo was also named a historic landmark due to the architecture in some of the animal houses. The reptile house is the oldest original zoo structure in the country.
In 1986 the Cincinnati zoo joined forces with The Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered wildlife to start a captive breeding program. Trumpeter swans and sea lions were the first animals in the program. Since then, the zoo has also taken part in the breeding of rhinoceroses, cheetahs, tigers, gorillas and several others. The zoo also offers a four- year college preparatory course for the Cincinnati public school system that began in 1975.
The Cincinnati Zoo is celebrating its 140th birthday this year and currently features more than 500 animals and 3,000 plant species which makes it one of the largest zoological collections in North America. Other than visiting the animal habitats at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens there are animal encounters throughout the day where visitors can touch or feed many of the animals at the zoo. There will be presentations and shows in some of the larger habitats where zookeepers will educate the public on the animal on exhibit.
Visitors can also ride around the zoo on a guided train tour, ride the carousel or visit the 4D theatre for a unique movie watching experience. There are many restaurants and snack shops throughout the zoo for guests to enjoy included the greenest restaurant in America—Base Camp Café, and the new smoke house as well as funnel cake and ice cream stands.
3400 Vine St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45220, Phone: 513-281-4700