San Diego Zoo

San Diego

The San Diego Zoo is a zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, housing more than 3,500 animals of more than 800 species and subspecies. Its parent organization, San Diego Zoo Global, is one of the largest zoological membership associations in the world, with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships, representing more than a half million people. The San Diego Zoo was a pioneer in the concept of open-air, cageless exhibits that re-create natural animal habitats. It is one of the few zoos in the world that houses, and successfully bred the giant panda, although the pandas have recently been repatriated to China. In 2013, the zoo added a new Australian Outback exhibit, providing an updated Australian animal experience. Another new exhibit, called Africa Rocks, opened in 2017. With over 4 million visitors, San Diego Zoo is the most visited zoo in the United States. Travelers have also cited it as one of the best zoos of all time. It is privately moderated by the nonprofit San Diego Zoo Global on 100 acres of Balboa Park leased from the City of San Diego.