ASIAN TROPICS (to be constructed)

Imagine watching majestic Asian elephants care for their young, Indian one-horned rhinos cooling off in a shallow stream, acrobatic gibbons swinging overhead from tree to tree, fishing cats diving for their next meal and the piercing stare of a black leopard, all from the center of an Asian village. These, and a host of other experiences, soon will be possible without leaving Denver. Asian Tropics will be the new home for some of the zoo's most beloved animals in addition to a number of important new species.

Occupying 10-acres on the southern edge of the zoo, Asian Tropics' expansive complex will allow visitors to explore and discover the rich history of animals in Asian culture, their complicated relationship with humans and the efforts of Denver Zoo and its partners around the world to protect their futures. Learn more!


BEAR MOUNTAIN

Visit a national historic landmark

Making history, Bear Mountain was the first naturalistic habitat of its kind in North America. Its construction was based on giant plaster casts of rock outcroppings from an area near Morrison, Colorado, and was designed to simulate the animals’ natural habitat.

Renovated in 1987, Bear Mountain is currently home to grizzly bears, Asiatic black bears and the curious coati (koe-watt-ee).

The Brown Bear Concession Stand is open seasonally at this location.

PREDATOR RIDGE

A Panoramic View of Africa!

Predator Ridge is an example of what accredited zoos nationwide are trying to achieve - larger, more naturalistic and educational exhibits. Beautifully landscaped habitats will be home to 14 African species of mammals, birds and reptiles totaling 50 animals including lions, spotted hyenas, African wild dogs, crowned cranes, African porcupines, banded mongoose, vulturine guineafowl and more. Within Predator Ridge, the "Lion Kopje" (pronounced COE-pee, an Afrikaans term for a rocky outcropping) exhibit is home to two prides of lions. Predator Ridge will enhance the Zoo visitor's experience with up-close views of animals, educational information and interaction, as well as opportunities to see zookeepers work with these animals.

Predator Ridge also features 10-foot tall mounds for lions to survey their surroundings, electric hot rocks for warmth and a separate maternity den for mothers and future cubs called Pahali Ya Mwana, (pronounced pah-hall-ee yaw mwah-nuh, Swahili for "place of the young.") The exhibit offers several animal enrichment opportunities, including the ability to rotate hyenas, wild dogs and lions to different exhibits where their sense of smell will be delighted by the previous inhabitants' odors. This group of animals is also part of a unique operant conditioning program, wherein their keepers teach them basic verbal commands, which allows close examination for health check-ups.

An interactive discovery center called Pahali Ya Simba (pronounced pah-hall-ee yaw sim-bah, Swahili for "place of the lions") will play a great role in the Zoo's mission to educate visitors. In the center, guests will be able to view scenes of animals from within the Samburu Game Reserve in Kenya on new plasma television screens. To further the educational experience, visitors can learn about African wild dog and hyena conservation research and watch the zookeepers as they work with the lions and wild dogs in a specially-designed interactive area.

TROPICAL DISCOVERY

Indoor Rainforest

Tropical Discovery was 11 years in the planning, funding and building, but definitely worth the wait. Visitors enter Tropical Discovery through a winding pathway past waterfalls into a darkened cave where they can explore a temple ruin deep in the heart of the jungle.

Next, they can travel along a tropical riverbank to a mangrove swamp - and spectacular coral reefs - where a variety of fresh-water and marine fish and exotic turtles can be seen swimming in the 2,250-gallon cerulean blue pool. Back on land, visitors can wander around a cypress swamp and balmy tropical marsh through the world's largest indoor Komodo dragon habitat before exiting through the Discovery Center.

PRIMATE PANORAMA

7 acres of monkeys and apes

This spectacular 7-acre facility is home to extremely social primates - large and small - in a habitat that very closely replicates their natural environment. Tree-dwelling monkeys delight in the open-air wire mesh tents that soar four stories high and cover more than an acre of ground. Inside these tents, the monkeys play and climb on twisting vines, and drink from the cool streams.

The gorillas roam freely in their one-acre exhibit, climbing ropes and taking afternoon hammock naps in one of the most expansive gorilla habitats in the world.

GATES CENTER/WILD ENCOUNTERS

Home of the Zoo's education programs

The Gates Wildlife Conservation Education Center houses classrooms and meeting rooms for public and private (rental) use. The Wild Encounters outdoor amphitheater, an intimate setting designed for wildlife presentations, is located immediately outside the Gates Center.

PACHYDERM HABITATS

Home to elephants, tapirs, rhinos and hippos

At home in the Pachyderm Habitat, the hippos enjoy both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Hippo babies have delighted Zoo guests for many years as we continue to have a successful breeding program. Across from the real hippos, the bronze mother hippo with calf statue has become a favorite hot spot for several generations of zoo guests.

The Pachyderm Building is an indoor and outdoor animal exhibit. Inside the building is a mini-gallery featuring paintings from Mshindi, the rhino artist that is making quite an impression in the art world. He's the only rhino in the world known to paint with a brush!

Pahcyderm Demonstrations

Listen and observe our keepers as they explain their daily routines with our Asian elephants, hippos and rhinos. Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day. Time: 11:30 a.m. Daily

BIRD WORLD

From playful toucans to flocking flamingos, this building is for the birds - and you!

Nearly 200 species, many rare and endangered, are exhibited in Denver Zoo's Bird World and nearby facilities. Each area features naturalistic habitats and replicated tropic and aquatic ecosystems, with the majority of exhibits built without barriers so the birds can fly freely among Zoo visitors.

Visitors can also see first hand what the birds eat, at the Bird World Kitchen viewing window. And behind the scenes, Denver Zoo is involved with important captive breeding and propagation programs in cooperation with other accredited zoos and international conservation projects.

PIONEER TRAIN

All aboard!  Climb aboard the Pioneer Train at Denver Zoo.  Perfect for families with little ones, the train offers a quick trip around the zoo’s carousel meadow filled with beautiful lush foliage, under the shade of 100-year-old trees. For $2, hop aboard and enjoy seeing our American and Chilean flamingos and other waterfowl just outside the zoo’s primate panorama exhibit. Denver Zoo’s Pioneer Train is the first natural gas-powered zoo train in any zoo in the United States.

ENDANGERED SPECIES CAROUSEL

Take a trip around the animal world on Denver Zoo's Endangered Species Carousel! It features hand-carved wooden replicas of some of Denver's most popular residents including a polar bear mom and cubs, giraffes, okapi and baby gorilla. A round trip ticket costs just $2 (members receive a discounted rate of $1.50; they must show their membership card in order to receive the discount).

CONOCO ZOO GARDENS

Have a Party!

Conoco Zoo Gardens is a beautiful garden area spanning over an acre featuring two spacious covered picnic pavilions and gazebos. Depending on the size of your party, you can either rent half of the pavilion or the entire area. The space is rented all day from 9am - 5pm or evening from 6:30pm to 10pm. More Info