Orange County Zoo facts for kids
Sign outside the Zoo in 2021
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| Date opened | 1985 |
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| Location | Orange, California, United States |
| Land area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Coordinates | 33°47′47″N 117°45′02″W / 33.79636°N 117.75068°W |
The Orange County Zoo is a cool place to visit in Orange, California. It's a small zoo, about 8 acres big, located inside the much larger Irvine Regional Park. This zoo is special because it mostly cares for animals and plants that naturally live in the Southwestern United States.
Contents
Discovering the Orange County Zoo's Past
How the Zoo Started
The Orange County Zoo you see today is run by the County of Orange. It officially opened its doors in 1985 as the Irvine Park Zoo.
Early Animal Collections
But animals have been kept at this spot for a long time! Back in 1905, a man named J.A. Turner brought in and bred red foxes here. Later, in 1920, a rancher named Sam Nau started a small collection. His first animals were a pair of mule deer.
Nau even built a special pen for his deer. For a while, the biggest attraction was an alligator exhibit. Then, in 1935, a bird exhibit was added. It featured many colorful birds like cockatoos, quail, doves, and parakeets.
Meet the Animals of the Orange County Zoo
Wild Animals from the Southwest
The Orange County Zoo is home to many amazing animals. Most of them come from the Southwestern United States. You can see powerful black bears and sleek cougars. Look up to spot majestic bald eagles and soaring red-tailed hawks.
The zoo also has night hunters like barn owls and great horned owls. Other residents include prickly porcupines, clever coyotes, and graceful mule deer. Don't miss the unique turkey vultures, playful coati, and stealthy bobcats!
Why These Animals Are Here
Many animals at the zoo have special stories. They might have been injured, orphaned, or abandoned. Some were even pets that were taken away because they couldn't be cared for properly. These animals help teach visitors about the wildlife that lives in the hills, canyons, and even backyards of the area.
Fun at the Barnyard
The zoo also has a fun barnyard area! Here, you can meet friendly farm animals. You'll see goats, jacob sheep, doves, and pheasants. You can even buy grain to feed some of these animals. It's a great chance to get up close and even touch some of them!
Explore More at the Zoo
Audio Tours for Visitors
Want to learn even more about the animals? The zoo offers special cell phone audio tours! You can listen to the animal keepers, veterinarians, and other experts. They share cool facts about the animals, like their names, what they eat, where they came from, and why they live at the zoo. It's like having a personal guide!
