 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 12 * June 21, 1999 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story Okapis and babirusas at Saint. Louis Zoo By Mary Ann Barton
In 1904, at the St. Louis World Fair, it was the largest free-flight aviary in the world. It still is today. Residents enjoyed the aviary so much that they decided to add to the menagerie. In 1916, they voted to tax themselves for the construction of the Saint Louis Zoo. Through the years, the community has continued to support the zoo – 62 percent of the zoo’s annual operating budget comes from city and county property taxes.
Located on more than 90 acres in Forest Park, in the heart of metropolitan St. Louis, the zoo counts 2.6 million human visitors each year and 3,600 animal residents, representing 740 species. So what’s new at the zoo? A baby boy gorilla for one thing. You’ll find him and his parents at the Jungle of the Apes exhibit. There’s other fun stuff too. A zoo train leaves the station every day at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $3. The sea lions put on a show three times a day, at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Admission is $1.50 per person. General admission to the zoo is free. The Children’s Zoo is $3; children under two are admitted free. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s open late on Tuesdays until dusk. Most of the grounds are wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchairs and strollers may be rented at either zoo entrance. The Saint Louis Zoo is close to U.S. 40/Interstate 64, Interstate 44 and Metrolink stations. For more information, call 314/781-0900. |
The Saint Louis Zoo