When you visit Detroit Zoo, you’ll discover over 3,300 animals from 280 species. With welfare and conservation at the heart of its mission, the zoo’s enclosures have been designed to mimic natural habitats as closely as possible. Spend the day exploring this 50-hectare park, and admire some of the finest specimens of the animal kingdom.
Start with a visit to the American Grasslands habitat to see native wildlife in all its glory. You’ll meet grizzly bears and black bears, as well as bison, elk and the iconic bald eagle. Thanks to the innovative viewing bubbles, you can even come face-to-muzzle with small black-tailed prairie dogs.
One of the top attractions is the 1.6-hectare Great Apes of Harambee enclosure, part of the African Forest habitat. Majestic lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and drills are able to forage and play, just as they would in the wild.
At the nearby African Grasslands habitat you’ll find zebras, white rhinoceroses, aardvarks, and the most recent addition: warthogs. The highlight, however, will undoubtedly be Giraffe Encounter. Climb up this elevated platform to get to eye level with these gentle, fascinating animals. Special food treats are provided so you can even hand-feed them.
Discover creatures from the opposite end of the climate spectrum at the Arctic Ring of Life habitat – North America’s largest polar bear exhibit. Walk along the 21-metre Polar Passage, a clear viewing tunnel that runs beneath the marine section of the habitat, for a unique perspective on the bears as they swim and dive.
Reptiles including Chinese alligators, Siamese crocodiles, rattlesnakes and pythons can be found among the 85 different species in the Holden Museum of Living Reptiles and Conservation Center. One of the newest additions is a 5.5-metre, 38.5-kilogram female reticulated python.
Finish your visit with a trip to the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery for a multimedia display celebrating wildlife in all its diversity.
The Detroit Zoo is open daily, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. On-site parking is available for a fee, or you can take the SMART bus from downtown Detroit.
