The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
File:Maryland zoo.jpg
Date opened	1876
Location	Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
No. of animals	2,000
Memberships	AZA
Website	http://www.marylandzoo.org

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (formerly The Baltimore Zoo) is a zoo located in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Home to over 2,000 animals, the zoo is generally considered to be the third oldest zoological park in the United States, having opened in 1876. In 2004, the zoo was struck by financial problems and was forced to reduce its collection size by closing parts of the zoo. The Main Valley was closed due to its age, being incapable of holding animals comfortably, and the Reptile House was closed. The reptiles, as well as gibbons and snow leopards were sent on loan to other zoos and aquariums.

Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is active in many conservation programs, notably the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Program and Project Golden Frog; it is the zoo that breeds the greatest number of African black footed penguins. It also helps rehabilitate local wildlife, especially birds of prey such as bald eagles.

African Journey

The largest area of the zoo, the African journey displays a wide range of animals originating from Africa.

Such exhibits include:

• Vultures, cranes, and sitatunga
• Porcupine
• African Watering Hole: gazelle, kudu, white rhinoceros, zebra, and ostrich
• Spur-thighed tortoise
• African Aviary
• Leopard
• Cheetah
• Warthog, Aardwolf
• Chimpanzee Forest: chimpanzee, colobus monkey, rock hyrax, sifaka, and crocodile.
• Red ruffed lemur
• Lion
• Giraffe House & Okapi
• Rock Island: African black-footed penguin, and waterfowl
• Elephant

The African Journey is dedicated to Harold & Selma Taylor

Elephant exhibit expansion

In March 2006, the Maryland Zoo announced it would be accepting three female African elephants from the Philadelphia Zoo as part of an expanded elephant exhibit. However, the Maryland Zoo has since delayed construction on the elephant habitat, and will thus not be accepting the elephants from Philadelphia.

On March 19, 2008, Felix, one of the zoo's female elephants, gave birth to a 290-pound male calf, the first elephant born in the zoo's history.

Maryland Wilderness featuring The Children's Zoo

Displaying animals found in Maryland, visitors can watch otters swim over their heads, jump across lily pads, explore a cave, or climb into giant bird nests.

• The Bog: features the Bog Turtle, an endangered species.
• Marsh Aviary & Lily Pads: surrounds a man-made stream featuring many species of ducks and other Maryland birds.
• The Stream: includes river otters and red fox. You can visit Otter Falls, a submerged archway, and watch as otters swim overhead.
• The Cave: a beautifully sculpted life-size model of a cave, featuring more than a dozen small exhibits including snakes, bats, and frogs.
• Giant Tree & Slide: features many tree-dwelling animals, mainly snakes. The slide is a fun way for kids to get back to the ground.
• Meadow: has animals such as box turtles and American toads. Kids can poke their heads in large bubble-like windows coming out of the ground.
• The Farmyard: features a variety of rare domestic breeds that can be touched; the highlight is a petting area of friendly African pygmy goats and Nubian goats called The Kid Zone because young goats are called kids and it also attracts children.

The Maryland Wilderness featuring The Children's Zoo is dedicated to Lyn P. Meyerhoff.

Polar Bear Watch

The Polar Bear Watch features the famous polar bears Magnet and Alaska, as well as Ravens, Snowy Owls, and Arctic Foxes. Guests can view bears from underwater viewing areas, or from the windows of an actual massive Tundra Buggy.

Magnet won a contest put forth by Microsoft's Zoo Tycoon for best zoo animal. Magnet was available as a downloadable patch for the game and during the game, polar bears purchased via the Magnet icon would play with a red ball.

The Polar Bear Watch is dedicated to The Alex Brown & Sons Charitable Foundation.

External links

• http://www.marylandzoo.org