Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo facts for kids
| Location | Monroe, Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Land area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Coordinates | 32°27′59″N 92°05′37″W / 32.4663°N 92.0937°W |
| No. of animals | 500 |
The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo is a fun place to visit in Monroe, Louisiana. It is a large zoo, covering about 80 acres. This amazing park is home to over 500 different animals.
Exploring the Zoo: Animals and Fun Activities
The zoo has many animals for you to discover. You can visit the reptile house to see snakes and lizards. There are also many other animals from around the world. These include addax, agile wallaby, and alligator snapping turtle. You can also see American alligators and American black bears.
Other animals living at the zoo are American flamingos and bald eagles. You might spot black swans, black-necked swans, and black-tailed prairie dogs. Look for Burchell's zebras and Cape buffalo. The zoo also has dromedary camels, Egyptian geese, and elk. Don't miss the emus, hippopotamuses, and mighty lions. You can also find nine-banded armadillos, ostriches, and red kangaroos. Watch out for spotted hyenas and powerful tigers. Finally, see western hoolock gibbons and white-tailed deer.
Special Tours and Seasonal Events
The zoo offers a special boat tour. This tour lets you see animals that are not visible from the walking paths. You can spot hoofed animals, primates, and local wildlife. The zoo also hosts exciting events throughout the year. These include the Easter Egg Extravaganza and Boo at the Zoo. You can also cool off during Splash into Summer.
History of the Zoo
The zoo was first known as Bernstein Park Zoo. It was named after Mayor Arnold Bernstein. He was the mayor of Monroe from 1919 until 1937.
Later, Mayor W. L. "Jack" Howard helped the zoo grow a lot. He wanted to make the city better. The zoo became a key part of his plans for improvements.
In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) asked the zoo to make some changes. The USDA checks zoos to make sure animals are cared for properly. The zoo needed to update its kitchen where animal food is made. They also had to build eight new holding pens for primates. The zoo director, Joe Clawson, used the maintenance budget to make these changes.
By 2017, the zoo met all the USDA requirements. In June of that year, the zoo welcomed a new male lion. They also updated the lion's home. The zoo is also planning to get a new train for visitors to ride.
