The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore facts for kids
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Entrance sign
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| Date opened | 1876 |
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| Location | Safari Place, Druid Hill Park, 1876 Mansion House Drive Baltimore, Maryland 21217 United States |
| Land area | 135+ acres |
| Coordinates | 39°19′24″N 76°38′58″W / 39.32333°N 76.64944°W |
| No. of animals | 1,500 |
| No. of species | 200 |
| Annual visitors | 500,000 |
| Memberships | AZA |
| Major exhibits | African Journey, Northern Passage, Maryland Wilderness |
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is a fun place to visit, located in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland. It's a big park, covering over 135 acres! The zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals from over 200 different species. It's also approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means it meets high standards for animal care.
Contents
Zoo History and Fun Facts
The Maryland Zoo opened in 1876, making it one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It's located in Druid Hill Park, which was designed by a famous landscaper named Frederick Law Olmsted. He also helped design New York City's famous Central Park!
For many years, the zoo was run by the city of Baltimore. Later, a group called the Baltimore City Zoological Society helped support it. In the late 1960s, a fence was built around the zoo, and tickets were needed to enter, which helped keep the animals safe.
In 2004, the zoo faced some money problems. Because of this, some older parts of the zoo, like the Main Valley and the Reptile House, had to close. Animals like reptiles, gibbons, tigers, and snow leopards were moved to other zoos. But the zoo worked hard to get back on its feet! By 2008, it was even featured in "America's Best Zoos 2008."
In 2021, the original Main Valley reopened as a walking path. You can now explore this historic area and learn about the zoo's past. While the old animal cages are no longer used, the zoo is thinking about how to bring animals back to this area in new, modern ways in the future.
Future Plans for the Zoo
The Maryland Zoo has exciting plans for the next ten years! They want to make the zoo even better for visitors and create new homes for the animals.
- New Americas Zone: This new area will feature animals like wolverines and porcupines. The grizzly bear exhibit will also get bigger.
- Gateway Building: Near the entrance, this building will house some reptiles and amphibians, such as the Gila monster.
- Main Valley Updates: New habitats for gibbons and Steller's sea eagles will be built here. There will also be a new area for events.
- Maryland Wilderness Additions: Look out for new homes for the bald eagle, snowy owl, and red wolf.
- Fun for Visitors: The zoo plans to add a safari camp, a rope course, and a splash zone!
Explore the Zoo's Exhibits
The Maryland Zoo has five main areas to explore: Schaefer Plaza, Zoo Central, Maryland Wilderness, Northern Passage, and African Journey.
When you arrive, you'll enter through Schaefer Plaza. This area has a gift shop, a playground called "Celebration Hill," and an exhibit for Black-tailed prairie dogs. From here, you can walk down the historic "Main Valley" or take a free shuttle to Zoo Central. Zoo Central has food, a carousel, and a children's train ride.
African Journey
This is the biggest part of the zoo, filled with amazing animals from Africa.
- African Aviary: Walk through this enclosed area and see many colorful birds like the blue-bellied roller and African spoonbill.
- African Watering Hole: See animals that gather around a watering hole, such as white rhinos, plains zebras, and ostriches. You might also spot Caribbean flamingos, Cheetahs, and Cape porcupines nearby.
- African Overlook: This is where you can see the mighty lions and tall giraffes. You might also see warthogs and blue duikers.
- Chimpanzee Forest: Watch Chimpanzees play in their indoor and outdoor spaces. This area also has Panamanian golden frogs and slender-snouted crocodiles.
- Elephant Savannah: A large area where you can observe the huge African elephants.
- Giraffe Crossing: This area features the giraffe house, a feeding station, and okapis.
- Lemur Lane: See different types of lemurs, like the Red ruffed lemur and ring-tailed lemur, as well as colobus monkeys.
The zoo has welcomed new animal babies over the years! In 2008, a baby elephant named "Samson" was born, the first elephant born at the zoo. In 2017, a baby giraffe named Willow was born, the first giraffe calf in over 20 years! The zoo has also expanded the homes for elephants, giraffes, and lions to give them more space and make viewing better for visitors.
Maryland Wilderness featuring The Children's Zoo
This area shows animals that live right here in Maryland! It's also very interactive for kids.
- "The Bog": Learn about wetland environments.
- "Marsh Aviary and Lily Pads": See different kinds of ducks and Maryland birds like the turkey vulture.
- "The Stream": Watch river otters swim above your head in a special viewing area! You might also see eastern hellbenders. Nearby, there's an exhibit for Bobcats and common snapping turtles.
- "The Cave": Explore a model cave with small exhibits featuring Seba's short-tailed bats and red-spotted newts.
- "Giant Tree and Slide": See native snakes and other reptiles and amphibians. Kids can also slide down from the giant tree!
- "Meadow": Spot animals like Eastern box turtles and American toads. There are also fun bubble-like windows where kids can pop their heads up from the ground.
- "The Farmyard": Meet friendly farm animals you can touch, like African pygmy goats and Nigerian dwarf goats in the "Goat Corral." Other animals here include Cotswold sheep, alpacas, and Miniature Donkeys.
You can also take a ride on the zoo's train, which travels through parts of the zoo and over a bridge. The current train is a bright red replica of an old 1863 locomotive.
Northern Passage
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The Northern Passage is home to grizzly bears, a North American porcupine, and a rescued bald eagle.
This exhibit used to be called Polar Bear Watch and featured polar bears. A famous polar bear named Magnet lived here for many years. He was even featured in a video game! In 2017, two rescued orphaned grizzly bear cubs, Nova and Nita, came to live at the zoo. The polar and grizzly bears used to take turns in the exhibit. As of 2021, the polar bears have moved to other zoos, and the exhibit is now called the Northern Passage.
Penguin Coast
This amazing exhibit is home to nearly 60 African black-footed penguins, along with white-breasted cormorants and Great white pelicans. It looks just like their natural home along the coasts of South Africa! You can watch the penguins swim underwater through a special window.
The zoo offers daily opportunities to watch the penguins get their fish during morning and afternoon feedings. Penguin Coast also has a building for educational programs and special events.
Past Animals at the Zoo
Some animals that used to live at the Maryland Zoo include:
Conservation Efforts
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is very involved in helping protect animals and their habitats. They work with programs like "Polar Bears International" and "Project Golden Frog."
The zoo has the largest group of African black-footed penguins in North America! This is thanks to their successful breeding program, which helps increase the population of these endangered birds. The zoo also helps injured local wildlife, especially birds of prey like bald eagles, get better so they can return to the wild.
Images for kids
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Many conferences are held at the Mansion House at the zoo.
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Red-and-green macaw at a keeper talk.
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Zebra exhibit.
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Giraffe at the zoo.
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Southern White Rhino.
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Saddle-billed Stork.
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Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) eating grass.
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Australasian Shoveler.
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Dama gazelle (Nanger dama).
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Project Golden Frog is one of the conservation programs at the zoo.
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Keepers at a workshop learning how to repurpose old firehouses into animal enrichment items.
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Council Grove Pavilion outside the zoo's entrance
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Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) with zookeeper.
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