About Bronx Zoo | Animals, Exhibits, and Conservation

A peek at the exotic exhibits in the Bronx Zoo

Take a quick look at some of the Bronx Zoo’s most fascinating exhibits showcasing exotic animals from over 700 species.

Congo Gorilla Forest

Witness the mighty Gorillas in the rainforest habitat. Alongside gorillas, encounter okapis, mandrills, and other rare forest dwellers. Interactive displays and observation windows make it perfect for all ages.

African Plains

The African Plains exhibit transports you to the open grasslands where lions lounge, zebras graze, and giraffes tower above the landscape.

Butterfly Garden

Surround yourself with hundreds of native butterflies dancing through a beautifully landscaped garden filled with flowering plants and nectar feeders.

Look out for species like the monarch, painted lady, and black swallowtail.

JungleWorld

Inside this climate-controlled exhibit, journey through a tropical ecosystem teeming with life. JungleWorld is home to white-cheeked gibbons, Malayan tapirs, otters, langurs, and many exotic birds and reptiles.

Sea Lion Pool

Located near the zoo’s historic Astor Court, the Sea Lion Pool is one of the Bronx Zoo’s most iconic and longest-standing exhibits. Watch these playful marine mammals dive, swim, and bark during their daily feeding and training sessions.

Lemur of Madagascar

Observe the Coquerel’s Sifaka, a species of Lemur known for their graceful sideways hops and curious personalities. Learn how habitat loss threatens these species and what conservationists are doing to protect Madagascar’s wildlife.

Things to do at the Bronx Zoo

Spanning 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo is filled with a ton of attractions. Here are just a few that offer a glimpse of what awaits!

Tiger Mountain

Go head-to-head (through the safety glass) with the majestic Amur & Malayan tigers and learn how Bronx Zoo saves lives.

Sea-Lion feeding

You know it’s not your usual lunch time when you are watching adorably intelligent sea lions having their lunch from the hands of trainers.

Nature Trek

Let your kids explore the Zoo in the most fun way. Gaze at a view from a human-sized nest or stride across many safe, adventurous obstacles.

Enjoy brews of the zoo

Party like an animal at the Brew At The Zoo event! Keep an eye out for this event on the Zoo’s calendar for a 21+ experience like no other.

Dinosaur Safari

Witness the Earth from 66 million years ago. Get chills & thrills from high-tech life-sized dinosaurs at the Dinosaur Safari Event.

Shuttle your way

Don’t miss out on the most fun parts of the zoo with the Zoo shuttle that maximises your visit.

Children’s zoo

This exclusive event provides your kids in-person experience with prairie dogs, North American porcupine, and fennec foxes, and also pet and feed the gentle animals of the farmyard.

Close encounters of the zoo-kind

Create a memory that lasts longer than pictures! Get an in-person experience with the keeper to learn about the zoo’s impactful work.

Wild Asia Monorail

Board the Wild Asia Monorail for a guided tour through expansive exhibits featuring Asian elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, gaur, deer, and more. The elevated track runs along the Bronx River, offering scenic views and fascinating facts from your onboard guide.

Species inside the Bronx Zoo

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Western Lowland Gorilla

Found in the Congo Gorilla Forest, these powerful yet gentle apes live in close-knit family groups. They are critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.

Amur Tiger

Seen at Tiger Mountain, these majestic big cats are among the largest in the world and are native to the Russian Far East.

Reticulated Giraffe

Roaming the African Plains, these tall browsers use their long necks to reach leaves high in trees. Their patterns help them blend into the savanna landscape.

White-Cheeked Gibbon

In the JungleWorld exhibit, these agile, tree-dwelling primates are known for their loud, melodic calls and acrobatic brachiation through trees.

Asian Small-Clawed Otter

These playful otters are the smallest otter species and use their paws to catch fish and open shellfish.

Snowy Owl

Featured in the World of Birds, these white-feathered owls are native to Arctic regions and are known for their keen eyesight and silent flight.

Okapi

In the Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit, these shy, forest-dwelling relatives of the giraffe have zebra-like legs and are native to the Congo.

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

A favorite in the Children’s Zoo, these small, friendly goats are often part of interactive experiences for young visitors.

The Bronx Zoo’s history

The zoo was constructed on 250 acres of land allotted to the zoological society by the City of New York in 1898. Initially, it was built to preserve the native wildlife, but through numerous years and initiatives, the park has become a hotspot for global wildlife conservation.
The zoo opened its gates in 1899, and even to this day, the Bronx Zoo is one of the largest metropolitan zoos by area in the country.

Bronx Zoo layout

The Bronx Zoo layout is thoughtfully designed to blend natural landscapes with immersive animal habitats, spread across 265 acres of forest, grasslands, and river terrain.
The Bronx Zoo features multiple entrances, with the Southern Boulevard Gate as the main pedestrian entry, the Bronx River Gate near public parking, and the Asia Gate offering direct access to Wild Asia.
Paved, shaded paths wind through natural landscaping, offering a park-like setting with well-placed signage and maps to guide visitors.
Signage and trail maps are available throughout, guiding while maintaining the open, exploratory design of the grounds.

Landmark initiatives

The Bronx Zoo has several impactful campaigns that showcase its roots in conservation.

The Big Cats: The Bronx Zoo is famous for the Big Cats project, which conserves tigers, lions, and leopards by mitigating habitat loss, illegal trade, and conflict through monitoring and community collaboration.
The 96 Elephants: This campaign combats African elephant poaching and the ivory trade, aiming to ban ivory sales, raise awareness, and fund field conservation through public engagement like “Ivory Crush” events.
The WCS Ocean Giants Program: This protects whales, dolphins, sharks, and turtles by addressing threats like ship strikes, overfishing, and habitat loss, while supporting marine protected areas.
The Congo Basin Program: This initiative safeguards gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants in Central Africa through habitat preservation and anti-poaching.

By visiting the Bronx Zoo or directly donating, you are playing a heroic role in saving & conserving wildlife on this planet.

Frequently asked questions about the Bronx Zoo

How many exhibits does the Bronx Zoo have?

The Bronx Zoo has 16-18 exhibits, depending on which season you visit the zoo.

How many species are in the Bronx Zoo?

The Bronx Zoo houses more than 700 species and is spread across 265 acres, making it the largest metropolitan zoo by area.

Which is the most famous exhibit at the Bronx Zoo?

Congo Gorilla Forest is the most visited exhibit at the zoo because of its immersive design that simulates the dense rainforests of Central Africa, allowing visitors to feel like they are truly in the wild.

Are there any kid friendly experiences at the Bronx Zoo?

Yes, there are many animal interactive experiences like the “Wild Encounters” session where children can get in-person with the keepers to understand how they operate and interact with selected animals.