Prospect Park Zoo, New York

Located on the eastern side of Mount Prospect Park, you'll discover the Prospect Park Zoo, a contemporary children's zoo that offers a unique experience for kids to interact with various animals. They can walk among adorable wallabies, explore a lively prairie-dog town, and encounter many more fascinating creatures. The zoo is home to an impressive collection of 864 animals, representing approximately 176 different species. With an average of 300,000 annual visitors as of 2007, it remains a popular destination.

The zoo presents three distinct exhibition venues, each housed in dedicated buildings.

The WORLD OF ANIMALS, situated in the southern quadrant of the zoo, features the Discovery Trail, which begins within the World of Animals building, but quickly leads visitors to an outdoor path that winds through the zoo's southern third. Along the trail are animals from various corners of the globe, showcased in settings reminiscent of their natural habitats: black-tailed prairie dogs, porcupines, red pandas, emus, dingos, North American river otters, and more. Informative signs along the trail may pose thought-provoking questions, reinforcing the educational presentations provided at the zoo's Discovery Center, or alerting viewers to observe signs of animal habitation. Along one section of the Discovery Trail, young visitors can even crawl through "underground burrows" to observation posts with clear, hemispherical observation ports. This unique experience allows them to observe prairie dogs in their natural underground environment.

ANIMAL LIFESTYLES, located in the western quadrant of the zoo, showcases indoor habitat exhibits. Upon entering the building's foyer, visitors are greeted by Life in the Water, Life in Air, and Life on Land dioramas, each representing carefully controlled environments featuring select animals. From the central foyer, additional exhibits branch off, focusing on specific biota. These exhibits include captivating animals like pallas cats, cotton-top tamarins, meerkats, emerald tree boas, dwarf mongooses, desert monitors, and other fascinating species, including critically endangered animals. The Prospect Park Zoo actively participates in breeding species in captivity, contributing to the larger wildlife recovery program of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The primary exhibit within ANIMAL LIFESTYLES showcases a troop of hamadryas baboons. Visitors can observe the troop from a large glassed-in gallery that provides a view into a rocky outcrop. Small caves within the outcrop offer shelter for the baboons during inclement weather. The gallery's rear wall illustrates common forms of baboon signaling and behavior, providing insight into the social aspects of these intriguing animals. Ample seating is available for visitors to comfortably observe the troop.

ANIMALS IN OUR LIVES, located in the northern quadrant of the zoo, features both indoor and outdoor exhibits that highlight the myriad relationships between animals and humans, as well as various animal adaptations. One side of the building is dedicated to Animals in Art, where visitors can unleash their creativity by sketching wildlife using the provided drawing supplies. This area showcases animals that have been subjects of art throughout history, while other up-close exhibits emphasize the inherent beauty and unique forms of certain species. The opposite side of the building focuses on animals and their adaptations for survival in different environments. Visitors can learn how colors help animals attract mates, blend into their surroundings, or serve as warning signals. Additionally, a small nocturnal area allows visitors to explore animals that have adapted to life at night.