This zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the US and one of the largest in the entire world. The Bronx River flows through the Zoo and it is a neighbor of the NY Botanical Gardens.
I can honestly say going on the Fourth of July in close to 100 degree heat was not the brightest idea but it was a friend’s birthday and on her bucket list and she was here from Arizona and – well….. you know what you must do for friends!!!
Grizzly Bears:
Be prepared however if you want to enter the Children’s Zoo that it is an extra fee. Also the concession stands throughout the park do not open until 11:30 but the park opens at 10:00 am so bring water if it is hot.
Within the Children’s Zoo you can see: Prairie Dogs, A Two-Toed Sloth (if it is out), Flamingos, Squirrel Monkeys, Porcupines, Tortoises, Skunks, Rabbits, Screamer Chicks, and Mini Nubian Goats

Prairie Dogs

Well we know who is boss!
Did you know: Flamingoes tip their heads upside down to eat!
Did you know: Porcupines use their spiky quills to keep predators away.
Did you know: Tortoises can feel vibrations when people or animals walk by.
Other attractions:
American Bison:
African Plains featuring: Tigers on our visit it was so hot the tigers were not moving, just panting in the heat trying to keep themselves cool like we were!
Himalayan Highlands: Snow Leopards were trying to stay cool in the shade. Do you sense a theme here! A 7 day heat wave in New York in not a common event.
Birds of Prey: Bald Eagles, Snowy Owls and King Vultures

Bald Eagle Symbol of our Freedom in the US

King Vulture!! This is the scariest Bird I have ever seen!!!

Sorry had to do a close up!!!
Did you know: While all owls hunt at night, Snowy Owls also hunt during the day since they live near the Arctic Circle.

Snowy Owl
Madagascar: Red Ruffed Lemurs, Coquerel’s Sifaka, Ring-Tailed Lemurs
Did you know: Ring-tailed Lemurs raise their striped tails like flags to signal their location to other group members when traveling.
Did you know: the Collared Lemur uses its long tail for balance when leaping across branches
Did you know: The Red-ruffed Lemur is hunted by people on parts of Madagascar but is free from that threat in Masoala and Makira.

Red-ruffed Lemur
Père David’s Deer has Back-pointing antlers, a long head with small pointed ears found in China on the marshy grasslands.
So many beautiful animal shots…feel like I’ve just been to the zoo!