Good health starts with good care

Denver Zoo animal hospital is known around the world as a premier facility that provides care to zoo animals in Denver and the surrounding region. If an animal is injured or a baby animal needs help, an experienced team of veterinary professionals is always on hand to administer aid.

In all, the Zoo staff supports four full-time veterinarians, three veterinary technicians, a laboratory technician, a hospital coordinator in addition to using consulting dentists, nutritionists, physical therapists, gynecologists and more to ensure the continued good health of the Zoo's nearly 4,000 residents.

Toyota Elephant Passage is the 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, Toyota Elephant Passage’ expansive complex allows 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 colleagues to protect their future.

Imagine watching majestic Asian elephants care for their young, Indian 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 clouded leopard, all from the center of an Asian village. And then imagine that you are right here in Denver! Learn More!

Aviary

The Condor and Eagle Aviary serves as home to two endangered birds of prey. The Andean Condor is the largest bird of prey on Earth and can have a wing span of 10 feet. The Bald Eagle is another majestic sight . . . and its eye sight is five times better than yours!

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.

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.

Bactrian and Dromedary Camels and Prezwalski's Horses

Denver Zoo is home to Bactrian (Back-tree-ann), or two-humped camels, the Dromedary, (Draw-moe-dairy) or one-humped camel from Africa and several other endangered and threatened animals from Asia. At this location you will also find rare Red Panda and Mongolian Wild Horse.

Bactrian camels can be recognized by their two humps and are critically endangered in the wild. Once found over a vast range in Asia, Bactrian camels now inhabit some of the harshest deserts in the world in China and Mongolia. Contrary to popular belief, camels do not store water in their humps but they are, in fact, reserves of fat.

The Dromedary was probably first domesticated in central or southern Arabia, and from there spread to Egypt and North Africa and later to East Africa and India. They were once found as wild animals throughout the Arabian region but are now known only in the domestic state. They are, however, generally maintained in a semi wild state in which they are free to forage alone but dependent on man for water.

Mongolian wild horses are known as the Przewalski horse after the Russian explorer who obtained the hide and skull of this previously unknown animal in Central Asia in 1878. It is the ancestor of all domestic horses. They formerly lived on the vast plains of the Altai Mountains in Mongolia, but none has been seen in their natural habitat since 1968. Approximately 200 individuals, scattered among the world's zoos, separate the species from extinction.

Beautiful spotted cats

With only an estimated 20-thousand cheetahs existing in sub-Saharan Africa and Iran, the new additions will give Zoo visitors a chance to see and learn about this endangered species.

The cheetahs come to Denver Zoo from Oak Hills Breeding Center in Okalahoma City. When full-grown, cheetahs weigh about 100 pounds.

The cheetah has a beautiful spotted coat and is the fastest of all land mammals sprinting over 60 miles per hour. The cheetah uses its long tail like a rudder to help navigate at high speeds. The animal is no match for guns, however, and was long hunted for its fur before gaining protection.

Congo Basin - Nose to Nose Viewing

Built on slightly over one-half an acre, Congo Basin is comprised of three spacious habitats enclosed by woven stainless steel mesh and reaching heights of up to 24 feet. As visitors stroll through the area, they will encounter a 600-square foot, open-sided, covered viewing structure with large glass windows into two of the outdoor habitats. This area also serves as the main interpretive center for Congo Basin. It contains much of the information about the biodiversity of Central Africa and the numerous environmental challenges that confront the people and wildlife of these regions including the "bushmeat crisis" and the mining of Coltan, a rare mineral commonly used in the capacitors of cellular phones.

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

Amazing Primates!

The Jewels of the Emerald Forest building inside Primate Panorama features a meandering trail through a series of diorama replicas showing four primate environments, including rare nocturnal primates. The Zoo is proud to be part of several golden lion tamarin projects, including the Summer “Monkeys on the Loose” program as part of a larger re-introduction project in to the rain forests of Brazil.

Big cats don't meow

Indoor and outdoor habitats are home to the majestic Siberian tigers, jaguars, clouded leopards, Amur leopards, snow leopard, meerkat, maned wolves, hyenas and more. If you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of some big cats at play, splashing around in the cool stream of the Siberian tiger yard.

To find out more about these major carnivores and ongoing conservation efforts to save them, check out the interactive video kiosk inside the building.

The American flamingo and the Chilean flamingo

The American flamingo is found in areas of the Caribbean, the Chilean flamingo along the western coast of South America and also inland, particularly in Chile. They inhabit large bodies of water including salt lakes and brackish coastal lagoons. They have a red-pink plumage, the American flamingo being the brightest red, the Chilean lighter with more white.

In the wild their diet consists of small swimming crustacea, algae and unicellular plants sifted from the water, in the zoo, they receive chopped fish, duck chow, chopped meat. They also receive a specialized food called "flamingo fare" which contains special ingredients to help the flamingos retain their color.

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.

Reticulated Giraffe

These giraffes are found only in Africa on the dry plains south of the Sahara. They have a network (reticulation) of light colored lines dividing a dark brown coat into a pattern. This coloring is very effective protection in their native habitat.

There are giraffes of slightly different patterns which may be seen in other zoos. Among these, the Masai giraffe has blotches against the lighter skin, lacking the light lines delineating the pattern in the reticulated giraffe.

Gorillas and Orangutans

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

Bongo, Gerenuk, Grevy's Zebra, Lesser Waterbuck, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Steenbok

Denver Zoo boasts an impressive collection of rare deer and antelope from several continents. From the enchanting Musk Ox to uniquely adapted Gerenuk (Gair-uh-nook), these ranges are sure to hold many discoveries. Also featured is one of the most unique of the wild pigs, the babirusa. (Bab-uh-roos-uh)

Musk Ox, Pere David's Deer, Reindeer, White-Lipped Deer

Denver Zoo boasts an impressive collection of rare deer and antelope from several continents. From the enchanting Musk Ox to uniquely adapted Gerenuk (Gair-uh-nook), these ranges are sure to hold many discoveries.

Kibongi Market, restrooms and offices

Hop on over!

Our large mob of red kangaroos share the outback with one of the most unusual flightless birds, the Emu. Spring time often brings joeys - the common name for baby kangaroos. Located adjacent to the Conoco Wildlife Theater and the Asian elephant habitat, the Australian Outback is in the heart of zoo activity and fun.

KIBONGI MARKET - ADVENTURE SHOPPING

Come and visit Denver Zoo's exciting new two-story gift shop, Kibongi Market, where shopping is an adventure! Admission to the zoo is not required to shop this unique store at the Janus Gateway Center.

Find the perfect baby gift in our large infant and toddler section that is filled with a wide selection of toys and apparel. Explore our handcrafted ceramic and art items from Africa. We proudly showcase wildlife sculptures and paintings by local artists. Discover unique garden implements and household accessories. Kibongi Market plush animals and toys are conveniently merchandised by region making your shopping experience easy, fun and educational.

While you're there, enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a snack at our Kibongi Cafe located just inside the front door.

Also, the ever popular story of the Zoo's famous polar bears, Klondike and Snow is available on VHS (For those out of town, The Kibongi Market is able to mail the video if you cover the cost of the video and shipping).

Meet us at Kibongi!

Kibongi Market phone number: 303-376-4953
E-mail inquiries to marlinaschleuger@kmssa.com

See color fly!

Lorikeets (also referred to as Lories), native to Australia, are specially adapted to eat flower pollen and nectar by using their brush-like tongues. Lories come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from scarlet and green to royal blue, fiery orange, and violet. Red, violate-necked, blue-streaked, dusky, ornate and rainbow lories are the six colorful species that will be free-flying through the exhibit landscape.

Lorikeet Adventure is located just south - outside of Primate Panorama where guests can walk through this lush exhibit and see these playful and colorful birds perform excellent air acrobats. For an even closer encounter, a cup of nectar can be purchased - the lories may flock around, land on your shoulders, and even sit on your head!

Your gateway to the Zoo's beautiful 80 acres

Located in Denver's Historic City Park, on 23rd Avenue between York Street and Colorado Boulevard, the main entrance is at the north end of the zoo. And, for your convenience, you'll find Mother Nature's stroller and adult pushcart rental facility and the Kibongi Market, complete with sunscreen, film, batteries and souvenirs.

Capuchiun monkeys, American pelicans, and crested screamers

Monkey Island was originally built as a WPA project in 1936 and is home to a variety of species. Visitors will enjoy the antics and marvel at the balancing and climbing abilities of the Capuchin monkeys. Pelicans paddle throughout the waters as crested screamers roam across the island.

Many times visitors will see wild baby mallard ducks paddling with their parents in the springtime.

Mountain Lion and Pallas Cat

This is a cat of many names puma, cougar, mountain lion and panther. It is a North and South American cat, inhabiting forests and deserts, from southern Canada south through the United States to southern South America.

Named after a German naturalist, Peter Pallas, the Pallas' cat is indigenous to the high altitude mountain steppes and rocky terrain of eastern Iran through Central Asia and western China.

Pallas’ (Palace) cats are native to the Himalayas. Denver Zoo is one of only ten institutions in the world that exhibit these distinctive cats.

From the land of midnight sun and dark noon

Northern Shores sits on three-and-a-half acres of tundra wildflowers and arctic willows, with bending paths that send visitors winding through the multi-level site. On one level, the popular polar bears amuse Zoo guests by standing upright on their rock ledges and taking turns diving into the icy water.

From below, children watch in amazement through large underwater viewing windows as the bears splash and swim back to shore. A lush green pine forest on a separate level is home to several playful arctic wolves. Just around the corner otters, harbor seals and California sea lions can be found swimming among the surf-washed rocks or barking at each other as they bask lazily in the warm sun.

Denver Zoo's spacious Wolf Pack Woods exhibit features plenty of shady trees, giant rock formations, and ample room for our wolves to run. Stop by early morning or late afternoon and you may even hear these arctic hunters howling.

A playground in the center of Northern Shores provides a good place for the kids to romp around too!

Home to 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!

Family Friendly

The garage is located in the zoo's main parking area, immediately west of the zoo's front entry off of 23rd Avenue. At first glance, visitors may not realize that they have 764 parking spaces available upon entering the top level of the garage.

Designed so as not to impede views of the mountains and Denver skyline, three of the four levels are sub-surface. Covered parking is certain to be a great benefit to visitors, whether on sunny or snowy days.

Combining graphics, a sound system that challenges visitors to name the animal, and well-lit parking levels, the garage is secure and easy to navigate. Many features have been incorporated to insure easy zoo access for all visitors. Each level has been given a specific animal designation: level one, the top level of the garage, is Boa; level two is Macaw, three is Tiger and four is Zebra. Graphics on each floor correspond to the animal name, making remembering which floor a car is parked on that much easier.

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.

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.

The Jewels of the Emerald Forest pavilion features a meandering trail through a series of diorama replicas showing four primate environments: Malagasy, South American forest floor and forest canopy as well as primates of the night. In the Great Apes building, visitors can find orangutans and a family of western lowland gorillas. The nearby Shamba offers a view of a Central West African village and the importance of humans' learning to coexist with wildlife and share available natural resources. Walking through the Forest Aviary, a 7,500 square foot area richly landscaped and enclosed in a nearly invisible wire mesh, visitors can view a collection of birds native to South America as well as small deer - the southern pudu which is rarely found in zoos.

Welcome to the Samburu Grille

Located next to the The Gates Center and the wagon rental near the front entrance, the Samburu Grille provides an array of foods from fruits and salads to burgers and burritos. Enjoy a cool drink or a sweet ice cream sundae!

An African Village

Nestled between the Congo Basin and outdoor Gorilla viewing area, the Shamba offers a view of a Central West African village and the importance of humans' learning to coexist with wildlife and share available natural resources.

Bighorn and Dall Sheep

Two naturalistic rockwork mountains are home to Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep and Dall’s (Dolls) sheep. With young born each Spring and the sheeps’ natural playful behaviors make these mountain exhibits a favorite for zoo guests. Sheep Mountain is located just across the shady walkway from elephants and next to the Animal Hospital and Nursery.

Come ride the Zoo Train!

Take a stroll in the shade of the park's 100-year old trees, picnic on the grassy shores of a small duck pond or, for just $2.00, catch a train ride around the park when you visit Pachyderm Park.

Denver Zoo's Pioneer Train is the first natural gas-powered zoo train in any zoo in the United States, converted from diesel in 1995.

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.

Inspect a prairie dog, touch an alligator or snake or maybe even hear a hissing cockroach at these interactive encounters. Noon & 1 p.m.

Featuring free-flighted birds and other exotic animals, this fast-paced entertaining show creates memorable moments every time.

This show is unique from other similar animal shows in that it encourages every guest to get out and discover their own connections with nature, and that every person can make a difference, even if it’s just a small one.

Runs Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day - Times: 11:00 am & 1:30 pm Daily in the Conoco Wildlife Theater

Visit the Pack!

You will feel as if you’ve stepped into the arctic tundra, even in the heart of Summer, as you enter Wolf Pack Woods. Off the beaten path and home to a majestic Arctic Wolf pack, this tranquil spot is often cherished as a place to sit and reflect.