Alameda Park Zoo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Alameda Park Zoo
Zoo sign on White Sands Blvd
Date opened	1898
Location	White Sands Blvd at 10th Street, Alamogordo, New Mexico United States
Land area	13 acres (5.3 ha)
Coordinates	32°54′05″N 105°57′40″W / 32.9015°N 105.9610°W / 32.9015; -105.9610
No. of animals	265
No. of species	90
Annual visitors	60,000

The Alameda Park Zoo is a fun place to visit in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It opened way back in 1898, making it one of the oldest zoos in the Southwestern United States. This zoo is special because it helps protect animals, especially the Mexican wolf, through a program called the Species Survival Plan.

Amazing Animals at the Zoo
A Look Back at the Zoo's History
Gallery
See also

Amazing Animals at the Zoo

At Alameda Park Zoo, you can see many cool animals! Some of the most interesting ones include the tiny White Sands pupfish, the powerful Mexican wolf, and the rare Hawaiian goose. You can also spot playful Ring-tailed Lemurs.

Helping Mexican Wolves

The zoo is a special place for the Mexican gray wolf. It's part of the Species Survival Plan, which is a big effort to help endangered animals have babies and grow their numbers safely in zoos. In 2006, two Mexican wolves lived at the zoo. The zoo has even had wolf pups born there, with three in 1994 and seven more in 1995!

Cool Exhibits to Explore

Besides the wolves, the zoo has other exciting areas. You can visit a special exhibit just for lemurs, where you can watch these active creatures. There's also a birds of prey exhibit, where you might see amazing birds that have been rescued. Don't forget to check out the beautiful butterfly garden!

Learning at the Education Center

The zoo also has an Educational Center. Here, you can learn even more about animals and nature. They have programs like the Eco-Ranger Junior Zookeeper program, which teaches kids about caring for animals. You can also watch videos or read books about animals in the center. Some smaller animals even live there!

A Look Back at the Zoo's History

The Alameda Park Zoo started in 1898 right where it is today. It was built to give train passengers something fun to do while their trains refueled. Imagine waiting for your train and getting to see wild animals!

Early Days and Changes

In the beginning, local people would sometimes give the zoo their exotic pets, like raccoons, skunks, and different kinds of birds. The animal cages were first made of chain-link fences. But starting in the 1970s and 1980s, these old cages were slowly replaced with better, more modern ones.

Making the Zoo Better

In the 1970s, the zoo faced some tough times. It became a bit run-down. In 1987, the zoo director said it was "a dilapidated menagerie" (meaning a messy collection of animals). The city had to decide: either close the zoo or make it much better. Luckily, they chose to improve it! In 1986, a fence was added around the zoo to help control who came in and out, making it safer and more organized.

Is it the Oldest Zoo?

Sometimes, people say the Alameda Park Zoo is the "oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River." But actually, there are a few zoos that are even older, like the Oregon Zoo (1887) and the Dallas Zoo (1888). Even the claim that it's the oldest in the Southwestern United States can depend on how you define the "Southwest." Still, being founded in 1898 makes it one of the very oldest and most historic zoos in the region!