Elmwood Park Zoo facts for kids
Guests view a sloth at Elmwood Park Zoo
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| Date opened | July 4, 1924 |
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| Location | Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Land area | 16 acres |
| Coordinates | 40°08′00″N 75°20′15″W / 40.1332°N 75.3375°W |
| No. of animals | 300 |
| No. of species | 100 |
| Annual visitors | 550,000 |
| Memberships | AZA |
The Elmwood Park Zoo is a super fun place to visit in Norristown, Pennsylvania. It's home to over 300 amazing animals from more than 100 different species! Every year, over half a million people visit the zoo. They come to learn about animals and how we can protect our planet.
Contents
The Zoo's Story: How It Started
The Elmwood Park Zoo first opened its doors on July 4, 1924. It all began when a kind person donated some land and a few white-tailed deer to the town of Norristown. The very first animals at the zoo were from North and South America.
Growing Bigger and Better
For many years, the zoo was supported by donations. In 1985, a group called the Norristown Zoological Society took over. They made the zoo a non-profit organization.
From 1999 to 2002, the zoo grew a lot! It doubled in size from 8 to 16 acres. This big expansion added a new entrance, offices, a cafe, and a gift shop.
Fun New Additions
One of the most popular new spots was the Thomas Kimmel Playground, which opened in 2001. A year later, the Oberkircher Discovery Center was finished. This building is used for cool education programs.
In 2013, the zoo opened a special exhibit for giraffes. You can even feed them every day, which is a very popular activity!
Trail of the Jaguar and More
In 2017, the "Trail of the Jaguar" exhibit opened. This area is home to animals from the North American southwest. You can see animals like Ocelots, Bobcats, Jaguars, Burrowing Owls, and Gila Monsters.
A Welcoming Place for Everyone
In May 2018, Elmwood Park Zoo became the first zoo in the world to be a Certified Autism Center. This means the zoo has special training and features to help visitors with autism and other sensory needs have a great time.
In 2021, the zoo became one of the first in the country to let guests bring their pet dogs! On certain days and for special events, you can visit the zoo with your furry friend.
Future Plans for the Zoo
In 2023, the zoo started building a new Welcome Center and Veterinarian Hospital. This big new building will have new animal exhibits and a large shop. You'll even be able to see the animal exam rooms and food preparation areas! It's expected to open in 2024.
Meet the Animals: Types of Species
The Elmwood Park Zoo is home to many different kinds of animals. You can see amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles, and even invertebrates (animals without backbones). Some animals are always on exhibit. Others are "Educational Ambassadors" that appear in special presentations and traveling programs.
Animals You Can See
Some of the animals you might see at the zoo include red pandas, bison, zebras, giraffes, jaguars, otters, and an American alligator. There are many more too!
Noah the Bald Eagle
One very special resident is Noah, a North American bald eagle. Noah was born in July 2001. When he was just 8 weeks old, he fell 80 feet from his nest and got hurt. He spent a year recovering. Because of his injuries, Noah couldn't go back to the wild.
The Elmwood Park Zoo adopted Noah in 2008. Now, he's an Educational Ambassador. He helps teach people about wildlife conservation. Noah is also the live mascot for the professional football team, the Philadelphia Eagles!
Helping Animals: Conservation Efforts
Elmwood Park Zoo works hard to protect wildlife and natural resources. They are a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This group helps zoos work together to save animals.
Species Survival Plan
The zoo takes part in the AZA's Species Survival Plan (SSP). This program helps protect animals that are threatened or endangered. Some of the animals at Elmwood Park Zoo that are part of this plan include:
- Panamanian golden frog
- Giraffe
- Jaguar
- White-faced saki
- North American river otter
- Burrowing owl
- Chacoan peccary
- North American porcupine
- Golden lion tamarin
Protecting Nature: Land Conservation
Besides helping animals, Elmwood Park Zoo also supports projects that protect important natural environments. They help conserve habitats where animals live.
Some of the land conservation projects the zoo has supported include:
- The Titi Conservation Alliance
- Habitat reforestation (planting new trees)
- The Naranjo River Biological Corridor
- Environmental education programs
- The Red Panda Network
- The American Bird Conservancy
- The CCCI
- The Monterey Bay Aquarium "Seafood Watch" program
