Lee Richardson Zoo facts for kids
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| Location | Garden City, Kansas, United States |
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| Land area | 47 acres (19 ha) |
| Coordinates | 37°57′33″N 100°52′20″W / 37.9591°N 100.8722°W |
| No. of animals | 300 |
| No. of species | 110 |
| Annual visitors | 200,000 |
| Memberships | AZA |
The Lee Richardson Zoo is a popular zoo located in Garden City, Kansas. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means it meets high standards for animal care.
The zoo is home to about 300 animals from over 100 different species. It covers 47 acres (19 ha) of land inside a larger area called Finnup Park. Many of the animals at the zoo are not originally from Kansas. One of the best things about the zoo is that it's free to walk in. If you drive, there is a $10 fee for each car.
Contents
History of the Zoo
The land for the zoo, called Finnup Park, was given to the city by a man named George Finnup. The zoo itself got its start in 1927. It was created by the city and a local club.
The zoo's first animals were two skunks brought in by Lee Richardson. He was the Chief of Police and also the zoo's first superintendent. In 1950, the zoo was officially named after him to honor his work, just one year before he passed away. Today, the Lee Richardson Zoo is run by the City of Garden City.
Animal Exhibits
The zoo is divided into different areas, each with animals from a specific part of the world.
North American Plains
This area features animals you might find in North America. It includes "Kansas Waters," where you can see playful river otters. You can also see the speedy pronghorn, large elk, and mighty bison.
South American Pampas
Travel to South America in this exhibit! Here you can see the tall maned wolf, the unique anteater, fluffy alpacas, and the large, flightless rhea. A flock of colorful flamingos lives right next to this section.
Marie Osterbuhr Aviary
Opened in 1985, this building is all about birds. It has a huge flight cage where birds can fly freely. Inside, you can find kookaburras, Mandarin ducks, and doves. There are also indoor displays for other birds, like the Bearded barbet.
Cat Canyon
If you like big cats, you'll love Cat Canyon. This exhibit opened in 2012. It is home to the zoo's powerful cougars, spotted jaguars, and stealthy bobcats.
Pachyderms
"Pachyderm" is a term for large, thick-skinned mammals. This area used to be home to African bush elephants. The elephants were moved to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 2015 to be part of a larger herd.
Down Under
This exhibit takes you to Australia. Here you can see emus, which are large birds that can't fly. The zoo also has a breeding herd of red kangaroos in this section.
African Plains
The African Plains section looks just like the African savanna. It has two big, open yards where animals can roam. You can see addax, a type of antelope, and graceful East African crowned cranes. This area also features tall reticulated giraffes, a crash (or group) of eastern black rhinos, and majestic lions.
Wild Asia
Opened in 1998, the Wild Asia exhibit is home to many amazing animals. You can see swinging siamangs, adorable red pandas, and tough Bactrian camels. The exhibit also has rare big cats like the snow leopard and Amur leopard. Other animals include the goral, takin, and a pair of sloth bears. There is also an Asian farm area with sheep and chickens.
Historic Locomotive
Behind the gift shop, you can see an old steam locomotive. It once belonged to the Garden City Western Railway. Now, it sits on display for visitors to see a piece of local history.
Gallery
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The walking entrance to Lee Richardson Zoo
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A sloth bear enjoying its habitat.
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A colorful Bearded barbet.
