Established in 1971, the Sedgwick County Zoo has become one of the best breeding centers for rare and endangered species. The zoo is home to 2500 animals belonging to 500 species and is currently the most famous tourist attraction in the city. The goal of the zoo is to showcase and learn about the animals of not just one country but all the continents. You can find animals from Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australia and get to know about their natural habitats and habits.

The highlights of the zoo include:

• Downing Gorilla Forest exhibit that is home to Brazza’s monkeys, pink-backed pelicans, white pelicans, saddle-billed storks and Gorillas
• “Pride of the plains” includes lions, meerkats, red river hogs and African painted dogs
• “Penguin Cove” with its star attraction being the Humboldt penguins that are usually seen in coastal parts of Peru and Chile
• The African exhibit includes reticulated giraffes, hippos, eastern black rhinos and African bush elephants
• “Tiger trek” gets you up close with the majestic Amur tigers, Malayan tigers, brow-antlered deer, red pandas and other exotic animals

The Amur leopards cared for at the zoo are a rare sight and a critically endangered species. It is believed that only around 60 of these can be found in Russia and China. The place offers a rather intimate encounter with these gorgeous creatures and with the winter schedule of the zoo offering you an intimate learning experience, the place has become not just a tourist attraction but a wildlife awareness and learning centre as well.

Admission Fee:

• Entry is free for children under two years.
• Children (ages 3-11): $11.95
• Adults (ages 12-61): $15.95
• Senior Citizens (ages 62+): $11.95

Tram tours are free but you will need to pay a small fee for Africa and America sections. For other information, visit official website.

Winter Schedule:

• 11:00 am (Wednesday & Saturday Only) American Farm: Animal Encounter
• 11:00 am (Thursday Only) American Farm: Cow/Oxen Encounter
• 12:30 pm (Saturday & Sunday Only) Cargill Learning Center: Animal Encounter inside building
• 1:30 pm The Downing Gorilla Forest: Gorilla Chat
• 2:15 pm (Tuesday & Saturday Only) Amphibians & Reptiles: Reptile Encounter
• 2:30 pm North America: Bald Eagle Chat
• 3:30 pm Slawson Family Tiger Trek: Tiger Chat inside tiger building
• 3:30 pm Koch Orangutan & Chimpanzee Habitat: Ape Chat
• 3:45 pm Cessna Penguin Cove: Penguin Chat

For other hours, visit the official website.

• By Bus: Ridge And 21st St Ib (2.25 kilometres)
• By Taxi
• By renting a car
• You can rent a bike from Bike share ICT

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