Everything you need to know before going to Los Angeles zoo

This Tropical Rainforest themed Zoo is full of lush green trees of various species, with different animals, creeping and crawling around. So, the Zoo has taken effort to create a state-of-the-art exhibit on tropical rainforest, which is very amusing to explore. There are specific highlights that include amazing critters from piranhas and giant otters, to harpy edges and cotton-top tamarins, along with the living amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles. The Zoo encompasses several visually stunning areas that include habitats for various unique and endangered species. Over 60 species of invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles are exhibited in this assortment of a lush green rain forest.

Another prized possession of the La Zoo is the Elephants of Asia which have a rich connection with the Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and India. The exhibition clearly represents all the challenges these elephants face, including their shrinking natural habitat, which help the visitors to understand and contribute to the cause to some extent.

Home to six western lowland gorillas. Zoo visitors walk along a forested pathway for the views of two separate troops of gorillas, a family and single groups, living among waterfalls and lush green forest. A thick glass wall separates these largest primates in the world from the Zoo visitors.

Sea Life Cliffs are home to a group of harbour seals and California sea lions. The habitat is designed exactly like California's coast and features two deep saltwater pools, rocky covers, above and below water viewing locations,and a seating area for visitors to observe the seals. Australia, another exciting exhibit of the Zoo, is home to many Koalas. These marsupials are displayed in the Australia section of the La Zoo. The Zoo has an abundance of eucalyptus trees, needed to feed the Koalas. The Chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains is one of the renowned exhibits. The Zoo is designed to resemble the native environment of Tanzania's Mahale Mountains in Africa and is unique in size and scope, complete with mountainous rock formations, waterfalls and streams, palm trees and soft green grass. This facility also features a chimpanzee penthouse with heated bedrooms for the apes and an outdoor playground that has a jungle gym.

Red Ape Rain Forest is a multi-level tropical habitat where visitors can walk among orangutans and be immersed in a Southeast Asian rain forest of 20-foot tall bamboos and ficus trees. The main viewing area is a large platform that allows Zoo visitors to view these arboreal apes as they climb to canopy level. Dragons of Komodo are home to one of the world’s giant lizards. The habitat design depicts the native environment on islands off the coast of Indonesia. Winnick Family Children Zoo allows kids to explore a cave, a desert trail or watch for prairie dogs through specially designed pop-up hobbles.

Los Angeles Zoo will take a whole day to take a full tour of the premises. However, one should try to avoid going there in Summers. For instance, June would be pleasant and enjoyable. Spring is the best season to visit this place. If you wish to come here on Weekdays, there won’t be a massive crowd in the La Zoo, and the ticket counters would be free. If you are planning to visit on the weekend, try to come a bit early to get the tickets and so you can spend your entire day hassle-free from the morning to evening 5 pm, when the zoo closes.

The Los Angeles Zoo is conveniently located along the Bus line 96 route, which operates in Burbank and Downtown. There is free parking available at the Downtown Burbank station. Downtown Los Angeles stops include connections to the Metrorail Red/Purple line, as well as a short walk from Union station. The Los Angeles Zoo is located at the northeast corner of Griffith Park at the junction of the I-5(Golden state) and 134(Ventura) freeways. The Zoo is located across the Autry Museum of Western Heritage at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA,90027.

Ticket is necessary for one-time entry to the Los Angeles Zoo, any day of your choice during regular business hours. There is also a family package whichincludes 2 adults, 2 children, and 2 Carousel rides. The price for the family package is $80. You can buy the tickets directly from the counters in the zoo or online through the La Zoo website.

In La Zoo, Safari is the most exciting part of the tour, where you can visit all the wild animals in their natural habitat. All Safari days correspond to certain unassigned days and/or holidays. If you want to stay overnight, then you can opt for Sleepover Saturday program.It will be an exciting indoor activity, including nighttime guided tour of the zoo, pizza/salad dinner and an evening snack. There is also a Wild Wonder Family Slumber where you can stay and enjoy the night with yourfamily, and experience an overnight adventure at the La Zoo. This exciting indoor overnight also includes a nighttime guided tour of the zoo.You can go to bed with beastly bedtime stories and sleep under the cliffs.

There are so many exciting events during the day in the zoo which should not be missed. Suchas:

The La Zoo works towards protecting the endangered species everyday, and with their Roaring nights summer music series, they do their bit to enhance their social life. The event includes Watering Hole open-airg leaming lounge with speciality cocktails. There are three multi-genre dance areas, an eclectic musical safari, interactive art activities,classic backyard games and more.

In La Zoo, they give you the experience of one of a kind sleepover at the zoo, where you will be sleeping in a tent under the stars. This outdoor experience includes guided evening and morning tours of the Zoo, interactive programs for young and old,a night-time snack, and live presentations about wildlife. Tents are included, as well as a continental breakfast. It is perfect for families and groups who love camping and outdoor activities.

"Join the Herd" at a fun-filled weekend in celebration of World Elephant Day where you will learn amazing facts about these magnificent animals and explore various ways that the Zoo and others organisations are working to protect and preserve the Elephants in the wild.

During the La Zoo Lights Celebrations, the La Zoo looks like a wild wonderland of lights. Glowing lights welcome you on an unforgettable nighttime journey that includes giant illuminated snowflakes, a disco ball forest, a whimsical herd of animated and illuminated elephants, and a twinkling tunnel filled with dynamic swirls of colourful lights. La Zoo Lights is definitely a not-to-be-missed night-time holiday experience and has been happening every year since its debut in 2014. This year’s event from November 16 – January 6/2019, 6 – 10 p.m., features dazzling new areas to explore and enjoy. The gates open at 6 p.m. and the visitors with 6 p.m. tickets may enter anytime after 6 p.m. until 9:15 p.m. and visitors with 8 p.m. tickets can enter between 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

What should you bring to La zoo?

You should be prepared before visiting the Los Angeles Zoo with a bottle of water, as this Zoo visit demand a lot of walking. During summer, sunscreen and a cap would be good. The zoo has a lot of cafes and restaurants inside. However, you are not allowed to bring the food inside the Zoo tour premises, and if you bring snacks, you might have to leave it at the counter before entering.

If you are planning for a weekday trip, you can start late as there won’t be any crowd in the La Zoo, However, kick start your day inside the Zoo before the sun is at its peak. There are a few shows that happen in the morning. So, check the website for the timings of these shows. For instance, Flamingo Mingle is a show where you can feed the birds, which happens every day between 11 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 3 pm (Excepts second and fourth Wednesdays of the month). You can indulge in Giraffe feedings twice a day (11 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm). There are few “Behind the scenes” tour that gives you insights about the wildlife and how they are been taken care of. There will be “World of Birds” show daily at 12 pm and 2.30 pm(except Tuesdays). This free-flight show spotlights the behaviour and mesmerising abilities of the birds. More than 20 species of birds perform in the show including macaws, condors, vultures, crane, hornbills, hawks, owls and eagles. Phoenix, the Harris’hawk, owls, and eagles perform by flying off the hill, through the turret at a tremendous speed. Elephant care demonstrations daily happen at 11 am (except Tuesday and Thursday). This demonstrates how the expert caretakers tower six-ton pachyderms and keep them happy and healthy. Animals & You program is organised every day between 10.45 am to 11.45 am. Keeper Talks & Presentations is a program where you can learn more about Zoo’s wildlife and their habitat, from the people who know the best – the animal keepers, educational specialists, and docents. The Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel is an amazing addition to the Zoo experience that features 64 unique hand-carved wooden figures and universally accessible standing chariot. You can plan your tour on Monday, Wednesday or Friday so you can beat the crowds and cover most of the programs.

La Zoo allows visitors to bring their own food. There are exclusive spaces where you can have food with your family and friends. There are also several options where you can buy and have food. There are Reggies Bistro, Zoo Grill, Fork in the Road,Sweet Treats,Churro factory,Café Pico, Gorilla Grill, Mahale Café which gives various options for eating. Also, there are shops where you can browse through gift items, apparels, hats, books etc.

The La Zoo has beautiful Neil Papiano Play Park that incorporates animal-themed climbing sculptures, a toddler area, water misters, grassy landscaping, and a large picnic area. It was specially designed to be accessible to all children visiting the zoo.

Along with the La Zoo, Aquarium of the Pacific and Natural History Museum offer insight into the importance of environment conservation on land as well as in the ocean. The visitors can explore the exhibition with the insights on how we can protect the earth to make it a better place for animals and humans to live in. The new extinct animal gallery and Horses and Dragons exhibits are now open at the Aquarium of the Pacific. It features dozens of sea horses and seadragons and their different species. The Aquarium transformed its changing exhibits gallery to focus on animal extinctions on land and how humans can take actions now to prevent the magnitude of extinction on land as well as in the oceans. You can also discover the creatures lurking in the depths at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

In La Zoo, get ready to experience a whole new kingdom of animals, get insights on animal conservation, ecosystem, bird watching, bird conservation, and marine ecosystem and many other informative programmes.

Visiting La Zoo is a whole new experience, as we get to interact with the wildlife of hundreds of different species. This experience will bring our proximity to nature and God's different creations in this universe.Typically we see different kinds of animals, birds and their various species and the environment in which they survive is simulated inside the Zoo. This will be an enchanting and enjoyable experience for anyone who wishes to go to the La Zoo, especially for the children.