The Portland Oregon Zoo – home to 260 species and over 2,000 specimens
The Oregon Zoo, located in Washington Park in the Arlington Heights neighborhood covers 64 acres and is home to 260 species and over 2,000 specimens including 21 endangered species. The Zoo is the oldest west of the Mississippi and encourages visitors to understand and experience the natural world and its education program has severed over 500,000 people throughout the region.
The Zoo can trace its roots back to 1887 when local pharmacist Richard Knight presented his private collection of animals to the city. It opened in its current location in 1959, at the time only 60 percent of the original plan was completed but since then expansion and remodeling have been norm. Currently construction is underway for the Predators of the Serengeti habitat which will bring several types of African animals to the Zoo. Currently exhibits include endangered Humboldt penguins that can be seen both above and below water in conditions that mimic their natural habitat. In addition the Red Ape Reserve gives visitors a unique opportunity to see orangutans and white-cheeked gibbons as they swing directly overhead or peek through the two way viewing windows. Finally Packy, Oregon Zoo’s star elephant, was the first elephant born in America in over 40 years when he was born in the 60’s.
The Zoo’s summer hours are 9am to 6pm, it is opened year round with the exception of Christmas Day. Tickets cost $9.75 for adults, $8.25 for seniors and $6.75 for children under 11. Parking is available for $2 per vehicle. Behind the scenes groups tours are available, they must be scheduled in advance and cost about $30 per person. All summer long The Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series, Portland’s longest running outdoor music series, highlights nationally renowned artists and all funds raised benefit the Zoo. The Oregon Zoo is located at 4001 SW Canyon Road inside Washington Park just minutes west of downtown Portland.. For more information check out oregonzoo.org. Looking for more family friendly activities in Portland? Check out the Portland Children’s Museum or the Hoyt Arboretum both of which are also located in Washington Park.
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