View source for Denver Zoo

{{Short description|Zoo in Denver, Colorado, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name=Denver Zoo
|image=Denver Zoo entrance pavilion 2012.jpg
|image_caption=Entrance pavilion
|image_width=250px
|location=[[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Colorado]], United States
|coordinates={{Coord|39|45|N|104|57|W|type:landmark|display=inline, title}}
|date_opened=1896
|area={{Convert|80|acre}}<ref name="zoo_facts"/>
|num_animals=2,500 (2024)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sarles |first1=Jesse |title=Denver Zoo rebrands, changes name to Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-zoo-rebrands-conservation-alliance-new-name/# |website=cbsnews.com |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref>
|members=[[Association of Zoos and Aquariums|AZA]],<ref name="aza_list"/> [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums|WAZA]]<ref name="waza_list"/>
|annual_visitors=1.8 million (2022)<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 Annual Report |url=https://denverzoo.org/annual-report-2022/ |website=denverzoo.org |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref>
|exhibits=Predator Ridge, Tropical Discovery, Toyota Elephant Passage, Primate Panorama, Bear Mountain, Harmony Hill, Down Under
|website={{URL|http://www.denverzoo.org}}}}
'''Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance''' is an {{Convert|80|acre|adj=on}} nonprofit [[zoological garden]] and [[wildlife conservation|conservation]] organization located in [[City Park, Denver|City Park]] of [[Denver, Colorado]], United States. Founded in 1896, it is operated by the Denver Zoological Foundation and funded in part by the [[Scientific and Cultural Facilities District]] (SCFD). Its other sources of funding are ticket sales and private donations. It is the most visited paid attraction in Denver.<ref name="kelley_2006">{{cite news
|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-147280563.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611052922/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-147280563.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=June 11, 2014
|title= Destination: Denver (Record number of overnight visitors came to city in 2005)
|first=Joanne
|last=Kelley
|publisher=[[Rocky Mountain News]]
|page=1B
|date=June 21, 2006
|access-date=June 3, 2012
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ensslin |first1=John |title=Denver tops 31m visitors for 3rd year; tourist spending ties record |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/denver-tops-m-visitors-for-rd-year-tourist-spending-ties/article_b2c11d50-92be-11e9-a15a-8f995c46cf0e.html |website=Colorado Politics |date=19 June 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref>

Denver Zoo was started with the donation of an orphaned [[American black bear]]. With the construction of Bear Mountain, it became the first zoo in the United States to use naturalistic zoo enclosures rather than cages with bars.<ref name="zoo_history">{{cite web|url=http://www.denverzoo.org/about/history.asp|title=History|work=denverzoo.org|publisher=Denver Zoological Society|access-date=1 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231064013/http://www.denverzoo.org/about/history.asp|archive-date=31 December 2009}}</ref> It expanded on this concept with Primate Panorama, featuring huge mesh tents and open areas for apes and monkeys, and with Predator Ridge, which has three separate areas through which animals are rotated so that their overlapping scents provide [[environmental enrichment (neural)|environmental enrichment]]. Toyota Elephant Passage, which opened on June 1, 2012, is divided into five areas for rotating the various species.

Denver Zoo is accredited by the (American) [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (AZA) and American Humane and is also a member of the [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (WAZA). The zoo achieved [[ISO 14001]] certification in 2009, was given the first AZA Green Award in 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_18929152 |title=Denver Zoo the greenest |work=denverpost.com |publisher=[[Denver Post]] |date=September 19, 2011 |access-date=November 27, 2015}}</ref> and was named the "Greenest Zoo in the Country" at the World Renewable Energy Forum in 2012.<ref name=wref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ases.org/2012/05/how-the-denver-zoo-became-the-greenest-in-the-world/ |title=How the Denver Zoo Became the Greenest in the World |work=ases.org |publisher=American Solar Energy Society |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208153832/http://www.ases.org/2012/05/how-the-denver-zoo-became-the-greenest-in-the-world/ |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2015, it was re-certified for ISO 14001 and achieved [[OHSAS 18001]] certification, becoming only the fourth zoo in the world to get both certifications.<ref name=certifications>{{Cite web |url=http://www.denverzoo.org/denver-zoo-first-zoo-western-hemisphere-earn-prestigious-health-and-safety-certification |title=Denver Zoo is First Zoo in Western Hemisphere to Earn Prestigious Health and Safety Certification |work=denverzoo.org |publisher=Denver Zoo |date=March 11, 2015 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208080908/http://www.denverzoo.org/denver-zoo-first-zoo-western-hemisphere-earn-prestigious-health-and-safety-certification |archive-date=December 8, 2015 }}</ref>

{{TOC limit|2}}

==History==

===Early years===
Denver Zoo was founded in 1896 when an orphaned [[American black bear]] cub named Billy Bryan &ndash; short for William Jennings Bryan after the contemporary American [[William Jennings Bryan|politician]] &ndash; was given to Thomas S. McMurry (mayor of Denver from 1895–1899) as a gift. McMurry gave the hard-to-manage cub to the keeper of [[City Park, Denver|City Park]], Alexander J. Graham, who started the zoo with this animal. Other animals at the young zoo included native waterfowl at Duck Lake, native [[prairie dog]]s, [[pronghorn antelope]] which roamed the park, and a flock of [[Golden pheasant|Chinese pheasants]], which later populated the eastern plains of the state.<ref name="zoo_history"/><ref name="noel_1997">{{cite book|last=Noel |first=Thomas J. |title=Mile High City: An Illustrated History of Denver |publisher=Heritage Media Corporation |location=Denver, Colorado & Encinitas, California |year=1997 |chapter=7 |isbn=1-886483-10-8 |chapter-url=http://www.denvergov.org/aboutdenver/history_narrative_7.asp |access-date=27 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311064156/http://www.denvergov.org/aboutdenver/history_narrative_7.asp |archive-date=11 March 2009 }}</ref>

As this collection grew, the newly-formed park board continued to focus almost exclusively on acquiring native animals (with a notable pheasant collection and [[rhesus macaque]]s as the exceptions) and some of the most popular animals at the park were large herds of [[American bison|bison]] and [[elk]].<ref name="Etter_1995_195">{{Harvnb|Etter|Etter|1995|pp=195&ndash;196}}</ref>

In 1905, a population of [[red squirrel]]s was added to the zoo's collection; this population grew rapidly and decimated the bird population at Duck Lake. A plan to shoot the squirrels was scrapped when citizens protested. Instead, as many squirrels as could be caught were sent to the [[Denver Mountain Parks]].<ref name="noel_1997"/>

===Mid-20th century===
[[File:Cross section of proposed bear dens for City Park zoo - DPLA - cbe35a514991416a6c8c3aa83e51ea3c.jpg|left|thumb|Cross-section view of a proposed bear pit, showing bear living space with trees and rocks, pedestrian areas, and automobile parking, about 1917.]]
[[File:Bear Mountain Denver Zoo.jpg|thumb|The south tip of Bear Mountain was originally intended for [[monkey]]s.]]
[[File:Velox (polar bear) memorial marker.jpg|thumb|Memorial marker to Velox]]
The zoo was a motley menagerie until 1906, when Mayor [[Robert W. Speer]] declared that the zoo's "[p]rison bars can be done away with" in favor of "concrete rocks, waterfalls, trees, etc." Speer hired the city's landscape architect, Saco R. DeBoer, to draw up the plans for his renovation and appointed Victor H. Borcherdt as zoo director.<ref name="noel_1997"/>

Borcherdt designed the Bear Mountain exhibit, which opened in 1918. This structure is {{convert|43|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall and {{convert|185|ft|m|abbr=on}} long, and cost $50,000 to build (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|50000|1918}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}). It was built of dyed and textured concrete forms cast from Dinosaur Mountain just outside [[Morrison, Colorado]]. Hidden moats replaced cage bars, and native plants and an artificial stream enhanced the natural look. The two main exhibits originally housed [[polar bear]]s and [[grizzly bear]]s.

The south tip of the exhibit was designed to resemble [[Mesa Verde National Park]]. Originally it housed monkeys, but due to escape problems [[California sea lion]]s were housed there instead.<ref name="noel_1997"/><ref name="Etter_1995_59">{{Harvnb|Etter|Etter|1995|pp=59&ndash;64}}</ref> Between 1941 and 1961 it housed a female polar bear named Velox,<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1978&dat=19491222&id=T14iAAAAIBAJ&pg=2946,2840501
|title=Scornful of Bars
|first=Elliott
|last=Chaze
|work=news.google.com
|publisher=The Owosso Argus-Press
|date=December 22, 1949
|access-date=June 5, 2012
}}</ref> who became the mascot of the 31st U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1952.<ref>{{Cite web
 |url         = http://www.31stinfantry.org/velox.htm
 |title       = Velox
 |work        = 31stinfantry.org/
 |publisher   = 31st U.S. Infantry Regiment Association
 |access-date  = June 5, 2012
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120407024442/http://31stinfantry.org/velox.htm
 |archive-date = April 7, 2012
}}</ref> Velox died at the zoo in 1961 and a memorial stone for her is displayed at the zoo.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://georgeindenver.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/glory-days-of-the-rocky-mountain-news-jack-foster-a-remembrance-of-velox/
|title=Glory Days of the Rocky Mountain News – Jack Foster – A Remembrance of Velox
|work=wordpress.com
|publisher=George in Denver
|date=November 2, 2008
|access-date=June 5, 2012
}}</ref> Bear Mountain established Denver as one of the foremost among American zoos, and the [[Saint Louis Zoological Park|Saint Louis Zoo]] hired Borcherdt after seeing the exhibit.<ref name="noel_1997"/>

Although other zoos in the region made extensive use of New Deal funds to upgrade their facilities, only one notable addition was made to Denver Zoo between 1918 and 1950. Monkey Island was built in 1937 using funds from the [[Works Progress Administration]]. Mayor [[Benjamin F. Stapleton]] funded the zoo very little, and it was in poorly maintained condition when Mayor Quigg Newton was elected in 1947. Newton hired DeBoer, the architect involved with the zoo's design forty years before, to plan a rebirth. Starting with the 1950 overhaul of Monkey Island, the zoo has steadily added to and improved its exhibits.

The Denver Zoological Foundation was created in 1950, the same year that the zoo acquired its first elephant, Cookie.<ref name="elephantse">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=74&show=6
|title=All elephants at Denver Zoo in United States
|work=elephant.se
|publisher=[[Dan Koehl#Elephant Encyclopedia|Koehl D, Elephant Encyclopedia]]
|access-date=June 5, 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727133558/http://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=74&show=6
|archive-date=July 27, 2014
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> A Children's zoo was opened in 1951 (since replaced by Primate Panorama). A perimeter fence was built in 1957, defining the zoo as a separate area but still within [[City Park, Denver|City Park]]. Automobile traffic in the zoo was finally eliminated completely in 1959.<ref name="Etter_1995_76">{{Harvnb|Etter|Etter|1995|p=76}}</ref> Pachyderm Habitat was opened the same year, and Cookie was joined by a second elephant, Candy.<ref name="a_tropics_westword_2">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.westword.com/2009-07-09/news/caution-a-herd-of-bull-elephants-is-coming-to-the-denver-zoo/5
|title=Caution: A herd of bull elephants is coming to the Denver Zoo
|first=Melanie
|last=Asmar
|work=westword.com
|publisher=Denver Westword
|page=2
|date=July 9, 2009
|access-date=June 5, 2012
}}</ref>

The zoo opened the Feline House in 1964, a Giraffe House in 1966, and an Animal Hospital in 1969. Bird World was opened in 1975, followed by the Mountain Sheep Habitat in 1979, Northern Shores for polar bears, [[Arctic fox]]es, [[North American river otter]]s, and [[pinniped]]s in 1987, and Wolf Pack Woods in 1988.<ref name="noel_1997"/>

The [[Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972]] made it impossible to keep the polar bears and sea lions in the Bear Mountain enclosure. This and its deteriorating condition lead to a $250,000 renovation of the exhibit starting in 1987 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|250000|1987}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}). The exhibit reopened in 1989 with grizzly bears and [[Asian black bear|Asiatic black bears]] occupying the northern two exhibits and [[White-nosed coati|coati]]s in the southern tip.<ref name="Etter_1995_59"/>

===1990s-present===
[[File:Denver Zoo's Tropical Discovery.png|thumb|Interior of Denver Zoo's Tropical Discovery]]
In 1993, the zoo opened the $11.5 million Tropical Discovery exhibit.<ref name="noel_1997"/> Designed by the Denver architectural firm Anderson Mason Dale, this indoor tropical garden topped by glass pyramids is the [[public aquarium|aquarium]] and [[herpetarium]] of Denver Zoo, and its opening doubled both the number of species and the number of animals at the zoo. Along with the animals, 90% of which had never been on display at the zoo, there are over 250 species of plants represented in the exhibit.<ref name="Etter_1995_186">{{Harvnb|Etter|Etter|1995|pp=186&ndash;189}}</ref>

On November 6, 1994, twin [[polar bear]] cubs Klondike and Snow were born to a first-time mother named Ulu, who rejected the cubs. They were successfully raised by zoo staff and became a popular attraction. Their story is commemorated at Denver Zoo by a [[bronze]] sculpture located near the former polar bear (now grizzly bear) exhibit.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://denverzoo.org/visitors/sculpt_zooMap.html | title = Denver Zoo Sculpture Locations | publisher = The Denver Zoo | place = Denver, CO | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130430170618/http://denverzoo.org/visitors/sculpt_zooMap.html | archive-date = 2013-04-30 }}.</ref>

On February 24, 2007, a [[jaguar]] mauled [[zookeeper]] Ashlee Pfaff inside the animal's enclosure. The jaguar was shot and killed by the zoo's [[Emergency response team (zoo)|emergency response team]] while rescuing Pfaff, who later died of her injuries at a local hospital. This event occurred despite zoo policy prohibiting direct contact between keepers and [[big cat]]s.<ref name="jag_maul">{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_5298391|date=2007-02-25|access-date=2007-02-25|publisher=The Denver Post|title=Jaguar kills Denver zookeeper}}</ref> An investigation by the zoo concluded the attack was the result of human error by Pfaff.<ref name="jaguar_conclusion">{{cite web|url=http://www.denverzoo.org/about/stories2007.asp#osha|title=Denver Zoo Reviews OSHA Document on Jaguar Accident|work=denverzoo.org|publisher=Denver Zoological Society|access-date=1 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420013335/http://www.denverzoo.org/about/stories2007.asp#osha|archive-date=20 April 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The zoo has not had jaguars since 2010.

In 2009, Denver Zoo was the first zoo in the United States to achieve [[ISO 14001]] certification. City park rebuilt its greenhouses in 2009, and as part of this project was able to provide the zoo with its own dedicated greenhouse.<ref name="zoo_annual_2010">
{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/ZooAnnualR10.pdf
 |title       = Annual Report 2010
 |work        = denverzoo.org
 |publisher   = Denver Zoological Foundation
 |access-date  = June 3, 2012
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120131040039/http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/ZooAnnualR10.pdf
 |archive-date = January 31, 2012
}}</ref>

That same year, Denver Zoo celebrated the birth of an endangered [[aye-aye]] that was the first of the species to be conceived and born in a North American zoo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barnett |first1=Lindsay |title=Endangered aye-aye born at the Denver Zoo |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/05/endangered-ayeaye-born-at-the-denver-zoo.html |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=April 1, 2019|date=2009-05-08 }}</ref> The zoo has continued to have a successful breeding program.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sturges |first1=Becky |title=What Does it Take for a Baby Aye-Aye to Survive & Thrive? |url=https://www.denverzoo.org/zootales/what-does-it-take-for-a-baby-aye-aye-to-survive-and-thrive/ |website=denverzoo.org |access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>

In 2012, the zoo opened the $50 million Toyota Elephant Passage. The exhibit was originally announced in 2006 as Asian Tropics.<ref name="asian_tropics_announce">{{cite news
|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2006/aug/24/zoo-plans-asian-animal-exhibit/
|title=Zoo plans Asian animal exhibit
|first=Felix Jr.
|last=Doligosa
|work=rockymountainnews.co
|publisher=The Rocky Mountain News
|date=August 8, 2006
|access-date=June 5, 2012
}}</ref><ref name="a_tropics_westword_5">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.westword.com/2009-07-09/news/caution-a-herd-of-bull-elephants-is-coming-to-the-denver-zoo/5
|title=Caution: A herd of bull elephants is coming to the Denver Zoo
|first=Melanie
|last=Asmar
|work=westword.com
|publisher=Denver Westword
|page=5
|date=July 9, 2009
|access-date=June 5, 2012
}}</ref> It was opened to the general public on June 1, 2012 as the largest bull elephant habitat in the world.<ref name="e_passage_westword">{{Cite web
|url=http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2012/06/denver_zoo_toyota_elephant_passage_opening_photos.php
|title=Photos: Denver Zoo's $50M Toyota Elephant Passage opens today
|first=Melanie
|last=Asmar
|work=westword.com
|publisher=Denver Westword
|date=June 1, 2012
|access-date=June 3, 2012
}}</ref>

In 2015, following conservation work around [[Lake Titicaca]] in [[Peru]], Denver Zoo welcomed 20 [[Telmatobius culeus|Lake Titicaca frogs]] from the Huachipa Zoo and later became the first zoo outside South America to breed the rare amphibians. Some have moved to other institutions in hopes of building a healthy captive population that can be released back into the lake.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moscato |first1=David |title=Denver Zoo makes history with first batch of 'scrotum frog' tadpoles |url=https://www.earthtouchnews.com/conservation/endangered/denver-zoo-makes-history-with-first-batch-of-scrotum-frog-tadpoles/ |website=earthtouchnews.com |access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>

The zoo added several interactive and immersive exhibits in the late 2010's and early 20's. These included The Edge in 2017, Harmony Hill in 2019 and Down Under in 2024.

In 2024, the zoo announced the acquisition of 570 acres in [[Weld County, Colorado|Weld County]]. This land, donated by the Lembke family, will be dubbed the Lembke Family Preserve. The new facility will not be open to the public but will increase space the zoo can use for breeding and reintroduction programs seven-fold. This is the first expansion outside Denver Zoo's 80-acre main campus in its history. Also in 2024, the zoo rebranded to reflect its ongoing focus on conservation and education and moving forward will be known as the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Swanson |first1=Sady |title=Denver Zoo to open preserve in Weld County focused on breeding efforts, animal care |url=https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2024/02/08/denver-zoo-to-open-the-lembke-family-preserve-in-weld-county/72523995007/#:~:text=The%20zoo%20said%20the%20Lembke,experiences%2C%20according%20to%20the%20release. |website=Coloradoan.com |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hope's New Home |url=https://denverzoo.org/zootales/denver-zoo-gets-600-acre-wildlife-preserve/ |website=denverzoo.org |access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sarles |first1=Jesse |title=Denver Zoo rebrands, changes name to Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-zoo-rebrands-conservation-alliance-new-name/ |website=cbsnews.com |access-date=30 June 2024}}</ref>

==Exhibits==
===Primate Panorama===
[[File:Denver Zoo Primate Panorama Orangutan.jpg|thumb|Primate Panorama showcases orangutans]]
[[File:Ybgor 5b (8492415582).jpg|thumb|Gorilla at the zoo]]
'''Primate Panorama''' spreads over {{convert|7|acre|ha|sp=us}} and primarily houses [[ape]]s and other larger [[primate]]s. Tree-dwelling [[ape]]s and [[monkey]]s live in open-air wire mesh tents that soar four stories high and cover more than an [[acre]] of ground. Inside these tents, primates like [[Wolf's mona monkey|Wolf's guenon]]s, [[Mantled guereza|black-and-white colobus]], [[collared mangabey|red-crowned mangabeys]], [[siamang]]s and [[Geoffroy's spider monkey|black-handed spider monkey]]s can play and climb on twisting vines. [[Western lowland gorilla]]s roam freely, climbing ropes and taking afternoon hammock naps in one of the largest gorilla habitats in the world. [[Sumatran orangutan]]s have their own outdoor habitat where they can climb trees and swing in hammocks.

'''Emerald Forest''' pavilion is situated near the entrance to Primate Panorama. It features a meandering trail through diorama replicas exhibiting many small primates amongst other rainforest animals. Animals housed here include the [[aye-aye]], [[brown capuchin]], [[cotton-top tamarin]], [[golden lion tamarin]], [[white-faced saki]], [[Bali mynah]] and [[Prevost's squirrel]]. Connecting to the building is an island exhibit that rotates several [[lemur]] species including [[ring-tailed lemur]]s and [[red ruffed lemur|red-ruffed lemur]]s.

The nearby '''Shamba''' offers a view of a Central West African village and is home to [[red river hog]]s, [[mandrill]]s, and [[Cape porcupine]]s. An aviary further down the trail showcases [[rhinoceros hornbill]]s.

The '''Forest Aviary''' is a {{convert|7500|sqft|m2|adj=on}} area richly landscaped and enclosed in a nearly invisible wire mesh. Visitors can walk around inside with the birds, which include unique and endangered species like (depending on the season) [[Egyptian vulture]]s, [[northern bald ibis|waldrapp ibis]]es and [[Indian peafowl]] as well as a wide array of waterfowl.

===Africa===
[[File:Predator Ridge 101.JPG|thumb|right|Predator Ridge is designed to represent the [[Africa]]n [[savanna]]]]
'''Predator Ridge''', completed in 2004 and the first exhibit most visitors encounter, is a large exhibit representing the [[Africa]]n [[savanna]]. It has the ability to rotate multiple groups of [[Panthera leo melanochaita|Southern African lion]]s and [[spotted hyena]]s, whose overlapping scents provide [[environmental enrichment (neural)|environmental enrichment]]. Other small African animals like [[dwarf crocodile]]s, [[African rock python]]s, [[puff adder]]s, and [[leopard tortoise]]s are exhibited in and around the Pahali Ya Simba pavilion. A habitat for [[African penguin]]s, featuring a 10,000 gallon pool with underwater viewing, was completed in 2021 and is located directly inside the front entrance.

'''African hoofed mammals''' are generally housed in the center of the zoo's main circular path. Species in the hoofed mammal yards include [[Grévy's zebra|Grevy's zebras]], [[reticulated giraffe]]s, [[okapi]]s, [[Somali wild ass]]es, [[African buffalo|Cape buffalo]] and a variety of [[antelope]] species including [[bongo (antelope)|eastern bongo]], [[addax]], [[lesser kudu]], [[gerenuk|southern gerenuk]], [[yellow-backed duiker]] and [[red-flanked duiker]]. Some of these yards are mixed-species exhibits and include bird species like [[Abyssinian ground hornbill]]s, [[Black crowned crane|west African crowned crane]]s and [[ostrich]]es. There are also yards for [[African wild dog]]s, [[Chacoan peccary|Chacoan peccaries]], [[llama]]s and a [[Vietnamese Pot-bellied|Vietnamese pot-bellied pig]].

===Asia===
[[File:Asian Elephant Denver Zoo June 2020.jpg|thumb|Asian elephant]]
[[File:Denver Zoo Elephant Passage gibbon island.jpg|thumb|One of the gibbon islands at the elephant exhibit]]
'''Toyota Elephant Passage''' is a $50 million {{convert|10|acre|adj=on}} exhibit. At its opening, it was the largest bull elephant habitat in the world, designed to house up to 12 elephants, 8 of them bulls. This arrangement allows the zoo to conduct behavioral research related to the recent discovery that bull elephants (originally thought to be solitary) form loose bachelor herds in the wild when not breeding with [[matriarchy|matriarchal]] herds.<ref name="denverzoo.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverzoo.org/zootales/denver-zoo-awarded-prestigious-grants-to-support-conservation-animal-welfare/|title=Denver Zoo Awarded Prestigious Grants to Support Conservation, Animal Welfare}}</ref> The exhibit houses [[Asian elephant]]s and other animals such as [[Indian rhinoceros|greater one-horned rhinoceros]] and [[Malayan tapir]]s, which rotate among different habitats in the same style as Predator Ridge. It includes more than {{Convert|2|mi}} of trails for the animals, and pools in the exhibit contain a total of {{Convert|1100000|USgal|l}}. [[Northern white-cheeked gibbon]]s swing directly over a boardwalk for visitors, traveling between three islands. [[Clouded leopard]]s and [[sarus crane]]s live in nearby yards. The exhibit includes an indoor facility for smaller species like [[fishing cat]]s, [[Asian small-clawed otter]]s, [[Indian flying fox]]es, [[black-breasted leaf turtle]]s and [[green tree python]]s and it provides important breeding facilities for the Indian rhino and Asian elephant in North America.<ref name="e_passage_westword"/><ref name="e_passage_animals">{{Cite web
 |url         = http://www.denverzoo.org/toyota_elephant_passage/about_the_project/animals/index.html
 |title       = Animals of Toyota Elephant Passage
 |work        = denverzoo.org
 |publisher   = Denver Zoological Foundation
 |access-date  = June 3, 2012
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120604194042/http://www.denverzoo.org/toyota_elephant_passage/about_the_project/animals/index.html
 |archive-date = June 4, 2012
}}</ref><ref name="denver">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.denver.org/what-to-do/attractions/elephant-passage
|title=Toyota Elephant Passage: Opening at the Denver Zoo, June 1, 2012
|work=denver.org
|publisher=Visit Denver
|access-date=June 3, 2012
}}</ref><ref name="e_passage_cbs">{{Cite web
|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/06/01/denver-zoo-opens-50m-elephant-exhibit
|title=Denver Zoo Opens $50M Elephant Exhibit
|work=cbslocal.com
|publisher=CBS News
|access-date=June 3, 2012
|date=June 2012
}}</ref><ref name="e_passage_post">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19294110
|title=Denver Zoo finishing world-class expansion for elephants and friends
|first=Electa
|last=Draper
|work=denverpost.com
|publisher=Denver Post
|date=November 9, 2011
|access-date=June 3, 2012
}}</ref> 
 
The exhibit opened with two female elephants (Mimi and Dolly) and two bull elephants (Bodhi and Groucho).<ref name="elephantse"/> The zoo made history in 2013 by transporting Billy, a bull elephant from [[Belgium]]'s [[Antwerp Zoo]], via plane to the new exhibit. This marked the first time in over 30 years an Asian elephant had been imported into the United States and one of the few times the genetics of the European population would mix with the North American population.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/06/06/denver-zoo-sets-travel-plans-for-new-bull-elephant-coming-from-belgium/|title=Denver Zoo sets travel plans for new bull elephant coming from Belgium|first=Electa Draper &#124; The Denver|last=Post|date=June 6, 2013}}</ref> In October 2018, bull elephants Chuck and Jake came to the exhibit from the [[African Lion Safari]] in [[Ontario]]. This move made Denver's herd the largest Asian elephant bachelor herd in the world with five bulls.<ref name="denverzoo.org"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/08/denver-zoo-new-elephants/|title=Denver Zoo adds 2 new Asian elephants — Chuck and Jake — to its pachyderm bachelor pad|first1=Elizabeth|last1=Hern|first2=Ez |last2=Ehern|date=October 8, 2018}}</ref>

On February 22, 2020, the first greater one-horned rhino calf in the zoo's history was born as the result of [[artificial insemination]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Guzman |first1=Francisco |last2=Ries |first2=Brian |title=The Denver Zoo welcomes its first-ever baby rhino after a 'heroic effort' from zoo staff -- and mom |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/denver-zoo-first-baby-rhino-trnd/index.html |website=cnn.com |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref>

At its opening, the exhibit contained a waste-to-energy gasification system that burned organic waste (uneaten food, animal waste, etc...) in an oxygen-deprived environment in order to create energy. The system powered outdoor hot tubs for the elephants and Denver Zoo's goal was to be "Zero Waste" by 2020, powering the whole facility with waste. Those involved with the project reported that no airborne byproducts would be released when the system was running but surrounding residents were still concerned that the gasification process would create an unpleasant odor around the zoo. These concerns resulted in ending the gasification project at Denver Zoo. Since the decision in 2015, the zoo is seeking partners to continue the project with offsite.

Nonetheless, the exhibit and its buildings have received [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED]] Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.<ref name="denver"/><ref name="ep_huffington">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/01/toyota-elephant-passage-d_n_1562170.html#s=1040467
|title=Toyota Elephant Passage: Denver Zoo's New Asian-Tropics Themed Exhibit Opens Today
|work=huffingtonpost.com
|publisher=The Huffington Post
|date=June 2, 2012
|access-date=June 3, 2012
}}</ref>

'''The Edge''' is an exhibit modeled after the pine forests of Russia for the zoo's [[Siberian tiger|Amur tiger]]s. Two yards with large pools and pathways that wander over visitors' heads provide enrichment and exercise for the tigers. It opened to the public in March 2017, replacing Wolf Pack Woods, which opened in 1988. Nearby, Asian hoofed mammal yards house [[Bactrian camel]]s and one of only a few breeding herds of [[Mongolian wild horse]]s in North American zoos.

===Latin America===
[[File:Lake Titicaca frogs in Denver Zoo's Tropical Discovery, Aug 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Telmatobius culeus|Lake Titicaca frogs]] in Tropical Discovery.]]
'''Tropical Discovery''' was opened in 1993 as the zoo's herpetarium and aquarium. The building explores several tropical environments and displays mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians and insects from these areas. The trip begins with a view into a South American river with different species of river fishes then continues to a cave featuring several bat species including the [[Seba's short-tailed bat|short-tailed bat]], [[Jamaican fruit bat]] and [[Common vampire bat|vampire bat]], as well as [[Mexican tetra|blind cave fish]]. A snake exhibit hidden inside a Mayan temple features venomous species from around the world including the [[king cobra]], [[Crotalus durissus|neotropical rattlesnake]]s and [[Gila monster]]s. Animals seen in the rainforest area include [[howler monkey]]s, [[capybara]]s, [[Linne's two-toed sloth]]s, [[Banded archerfish|archerfish]] and an array of [[poison dart frog]]s. Further on, visitors are immersed in a coral reef with [[Orange clownfish|clownfish]], [[Red lionfish|lionfish]], [[spotted garden eel]]s and more. Around the corner, a gallery of North American snakes is located across from a pair of pools showcasing an [[alligator snapping turtle]] as well as other North American reptiles and fish. Further on, the [[Siamese crocodile]] also enjoys a large pool near a [[Mata mata|Matamata turtle]] display and the Discovery Room, which features other small species like the [[Chlamydosaurus|frilled lizard]].

'''Dragons of Komodo''', inside Tropical Discovery, was the largest [[Komodo dragon]] exhibit of its kind when it opened in 1999 and is still one of the largest Komodo dragon exhibits in the country.<ref name="Etter_1995_186"/> In addition to Komodo dragons, it is home to other island reptiles like [[rhinoceros iguana]]s and [[Rhacodactylus leachianus|giant New Caledonia gecko]]s.

'''Stingray Cove''' is a seasonal, interactive exhibit featuring an 18,000 gallon shaded open-air aquarium housing [[cownose ray]]s, [[Whitespotted bamboo shark|white-spotted]] and [[Brownbanded bamboo shark|brown-banded bamboo shark]]s, [[southern stingray]]s, [[shovelnose guitarfish]] and [[Bonnethead|bonnethead shark]]s. Guests are able to gently touch, feel, and feed the rays as they swim around the tank. Admission to the exhibit (which includes one piece of food for feeding to the rays) costs $5 in addition to zoo entry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Exhibits|url=https://denverzoo.org/exhibits/|access-date=2020-06-16|website=Denver Zoo|language=en-US}}</ref> The exhibit opened in June 2020.

The zoo's new '''Flamingo Habitat''' opened in 2023, located just outside Tropical Discovery. It provides [[Chilean flamingo|Chilean]] and [[American flamingo]]es with pools and marshes replicating the [[Andes|Andean]] highlands.

The '''Sea Lion Habitat''' for [[California sea lion]]s was unveiled in 2025 and replaced the habitat that opened as part of Northern Shores in 1987. Upgrades include a large saltwater pool and state-of-the-art filtration system that reduces the exhibit's water usage by 8 million gallons a year.<ref name="Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance">{{cite web |title=Sea Lions Make a Splash |url=https://denverzoo.org/zootales/sea-lions-make-a-splash/ |website=www.denverzoo.org |access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref> An expanded underwater viewing window and rocky shores and islands for sunbathing give guests opportunities to connect with the residents.

===Into The Wild===
[[File:Ara chloropterus -Denver Zoo -USA-8a.jpg|thumb|Green-winged Macaw (''[[Ara chloropterus]]'')]]
[[File:Caloenas nicobarica at the Denver Zoo-2012 03 12 0876.jpg|thumb|Nicobar Pigeon (''[[Caloenas nicobarica]]'')]]
'''The original aviary''', the oldest aviary at the zoo, currently houses [[Andean condor]]s.

'''Lorikeet Adventure''', the '''Nurture Trail''', and the '''Avian Propagation Center''' all opened in 2006. Lorikeet Adventure is a large, open-air mesh tent where visitors can mingle with and feed a variety of [[Loriini|lorikeet]] species. The Nurture Trail is a short trail through a forested glade home to two exhibits for breeding pairs of large birds like [[red-crowned crane]]s. The trail then goes past smaller outdoor enclosures attached to the Avian Propagation Center which is one of the largest and most complex buildings devoted to breeding birds in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stark-Rodenburg |first1=Malissa |title=Denver Zoo Closes Bird World, But Its Legacy of Conservation Lives On |url=https://www.5280.com/denver-zoo-closes-bird-world-but-its-legacy-of-conservation-lives-on/ |website=5280.com |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref> Depending on their needs, species in the public-facing enclosures often rotate but can include [[Victoria crowned pigeon]]s, [[azure-winged magpie]]s and [[palm cockatoo]]s.

'''Bear Mountain''' is an historic exhibit on the National Register of Historic Places and originally opened in 1918. It is one of the first natural-style zoo exhibits in North America and the first to use simulated concrete rocks. It underwent a $250,000 restoration between 1987 and 1989. Although the exhibit's residents have moved to Harmony Hill, the structure remains for visitors to appreciate.

'''Mountain Sheep Habitat''' was opened in 1979. It contains two natural-style "mountains" housing [[Bighorn sheep|Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep]] and [[desert bighorn sheep]].

'''Monkey Island''' was built in 1937 with funds from the [[Works Progress Administration]]. It was rehabilitated in 1950. In 2023, the island's brown capuchins were moved to the Emerald Forest building and the island is now home to [[cinereous vulture]]s.

'''Monkey House''', facing Monkey Island, was the original primate exhibit in the zoo. In recent years, it served as a winter residence for the capuchins but as of 2023 it is no longer in use. The brick building is considered a historic structure and repurposing of some kind is likely.

===Down Under===
'''Down Under''' is a new exhibit exploring Australia. Water-wise landscaping resembles the animals' native ecosystems and woven throughout the exhibit are original multimedia artworks telling the story of First Nations peoples. It features a walk-through [[red-necked wallaby]] and [[red kangaroo]] yard, a two-story habitat for [[Matschie's tree-kangaroo|Huon tree kangaroo]]s and a habitat for [[Southern cassowary|Southern cassowaries]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Denver Zoo to Build New Australia-Themed Habitat |url=https://denverzoo.org/zootales/denver-zoo-to-build-new-australia-themed-exhibit/ |website=www.denverzoo.org |access-date=13 May 2024}}</ref> Down Under opened in May 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://denverzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Denver-Zoo_Map_22inch_031124_8.5x22_SPRING-24.pdf|title= Denver Zoo Map|website= The Denver Zoo|date= April 2024}}</ref>

===Harmony Hill===
'''Harmony Hill''' provides a habitat for [[grizzly bear]]s modeled after the fictional Harmony Hill State Park. Another nearby habitat is designed to resemble a backyard in order to illustrate and provide solutions for human-wildlife conflict. The second habitat is home to two rescued [[leucism|leucistic]] [[raccoon]]s. Harmony Hill opened in 2019, making use of the former polar bear exhibit which opened as part of Northern Shores in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coloradosun.com/2018/11/28/denver-zoo-polar-bears-moved/|title=There's a lot more to the departure of Denver Zoo's polar bears than you've heard|website=The Colorado Sun|date=28 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wingerter |first1=Meg |title=Denver Zoo's new grizzly exhibit brings bears close while teaching people to keep away |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/05/15/denver-zoo-grizzly-bear-exhibit/ |website=denverpost.com |access-date=5 June 2019|date=2019-05-15 }}</ref>

===Rhino and Hippo Building===
[[File:Ybhip 4b (8495545116).jpg|thumb|Hippopotamus]]
The '''Rhino and Hippo Building''' opened in 1959 as the Pachyderm Habitat. It is currently home to [[Black rhinoceros]] and [[Hippopotamus|river hippopotamus]]. The Asian elephants and Malayan tapirs were moved to Toyota Elephant Passage prior to its opening in June 2012. Cinereous vultures now reside in the former tapir yard.

===Feline House===
'''Feline House''' was built in 1964. The building is now closed and has been renovated in some areas to make way for Stingray Cove and outdoor yards have been repurposed for smaller species. Of note; a [[Geoffroy's cat]] that was rescued after a smuggling attempt at [[Denver International Airport]] is displayed here.

===Traveling Exhibits===
Denver Zoo has hosted several traveling exhibits in recent years to raise awareness for conservation efforts. Traveling exhibits brought to the zoo have included "Nature Connects, Art With Lego Bricks," "Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea" and "Dinos! Live at Denver Zoo."

==Other facilities==
[[File:Denver Zoo Conservation Carousel.jpg|thumb|Endangered Species Carousel]]
[[File:Denver Zoo 16.jpg|thumb|Train station at the zoo]]
The '''Conservation Carousel''' features hand-carved wooden replicas of some of Denver's most popular residents including a polar bear mom and cubs, giraffes, okapi and baby gorilla, along with many other endangered animals.

The '''Denver Zoo Railroad presented by Union Pacific''' offers a quick trip around the zoo's carousel meadow filled with beautiful lush foliage, under the shade of 100-year-old trees. Denver Zoo Railroad is the first natural gas-powered zoo train in the United States.
 
The '''4D Theater''' is located near the Asian hoofstock exhibits. The line visitors wait in displays artifacts, art and music celebrating central Asian culture and folktales.

The '''Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital''' was completed in 2021 and features one of the few CT scanners on an American zoo campus as well as double the space of the previous hospital built in 1969. The '''Schlessman Family Foundation Visitor and Education Center''' has windows onto a lab, surgical suite and treatment rooms allowing visitors to watch procedures.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holdman |first1=Raetta |title=Grand Opening! Denver Zoo Visitors Will Now Be Able To Peer Inside New Animal Hospital |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/05/21/denver-zoo-animal-hospital-grand-opening/ |website=Denver.cbslocal.com |date=21 May 2021 |access-date=23 May 2021}}</ref> The hospital was honored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums with a 2023 significant achievement in facilities award.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 Annual Report |url=https://denverzoo.org/annual-report/ |website=denverzoo.org |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref>

The '''Gates Wildlife Conservation Education Center''' houses classrooms and meeting rooms for public and private (rental) use.

'''Zoo Gardens''' is available for private special events as well as special uses open to the public like food truck days or beer gardens.

The '''Wild Encounters''' outdoor amphitheater is located just outside the Gates Center. '''Wildlife Plaza''' is located just outside the Animal Hospital. Both are used for wildlife demonstrations.

==Education and conservation==
[[File:Ybthb 1b (7677845890).jpg|thumb|Trumpeter hornbill with zookeeper]]
Throughout the day Denver Zoo provides educational opportunities for visitors, including the sea lion demonstration, Toyota Elephant Passage demonstration, Predator Ridge demonstration, a variety of programming at both Wildlife Plaza and the Wild Encounters amphitheater as well as many other feedings/demonstrations. Some of these are seasonal and vary throughout the year.

In March 2023, Denver Zoo became the first zoo in Colorado to earn the Certified Autism Center designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 Annual Report |url=https://denverzoo.org/annual-report/ |website=denverzoo.org |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref>

Denver Zoo is a part of [https://projectdragonfly.miamioh.edu/advanced-inquiry-program/ Miami University’s graduate-level Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP)]. The program offers a Master of Arts in Biology or Master of Arts in Teaching through online coursework and face-to-face experiential learning experiences at the Denver Zoo.

Denver Zoo is part of the (American) [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (AZA) Species Survival Plan for many species. And as an active member of the [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (WAZA), Denver Zoo works with other zoos and aquariums around the world to respond to the global extinction crisis facing the world's frogs and other amphibians. Denver Zoo works with conservationists in Peru to save wild populations of the endangered [[Telmatobius culeus|Lake Titicaca frog]] and [[Telmatobius macrostomus|Lake Junin giant frog]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ingle |first1=Natalie |title=Celebrating World Frog Day |url=https://www.denverzoo.org/zootales/celebrating-world-frog-day/ |website=denverzoo.org |access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref> Amphibian experts with the zoo have had rare success breeding [[boreal toad]]s, listed as endangered in several western states, and have released over 600 young toads in southwestern Utah.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Toad-al Success |url=https://www.denverzoo.org/zootales/a-toad-al-success/ |website=denverzoo.org |publisher=Denver Zoo |access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref> In 2021, the zoo and [[Colorado Parks and Wildlife]] partnered to launch a program aimed at increasing the boreal toad population within Colorado.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Butzer|first=Stephanie|date=2021-12-09|title=Load of toads: CPW, Denver Zoo team up to save Colorado's boreal toads with hope to release 20K tadpoles next summer|url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/load-of-toads-cpw-denver-zoo-team-up-to-save-colorados-boreal-toads-with-hope-to-release-20k-tadpoles-next-summer|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-09|website=[[KMGH-TV|The Denver Channel]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209185021/https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/load-of-toads-cpw-denver-zoo-team-up-to-save-colorados-boreal-toads-with-hope-to-release-20k-tadpoles-next-summer |archive-date=2021-12-09 }}</ref> This has resulted in the release of over 2,800 tadpoles within Colorado as of 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Livingston |first1=John |title=Endangered Boreal Toad Tadpoles Released Into Wild |url=https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2024/07/17/endangered-boreal-toad-tadpoles-released-into-wild/ |website=Colorado Outdoors |access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref>

Denver Zoo also has a storied history with the [[American bison]] as it was one of the first zoos to assist in nationwide efforts to save the species from extinction. A breeding herd of five bison arrived at the zoo in 1899.<ref name="Etter_1995_34">{{Harvnb|Etter|Etter|1995|p=34}}</ref> The zoo no longer houses the species but manages a herd on the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge in [[New Mexico]] and also contributed animals to both the [[Genesee, Colorado|Genesee]] herd near Denver and the Heartland Ranch herd near [[Lamar, Colorado|Lamar]]. The latter herd, behaving naturally on thousands of acres and with the help of the Southern Plains Land Trust, has almost entirely returned the ecosystem to its natural state as of 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Denver Zoo Donates Three Bison to Southern Plains Land Trust |url=https://www.denverzoo.org/zootales/denver-zoo-donates-three-bison-to-southern-plains-land-trust/ |website=denverzoo.org |access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>

In 2024, the zoo will begin using 570 acres in Weld County, donated by the Lembke family, as a breeding and reintroduction facility dubbed the Lembke Family Preserve. Phase One, to be finished by the end of the year, will see new facilities built for breeding programs and offer temporary animal holding in the event of habitat maintenance or renovations on the main campus. Phase Two will transform the land into a conservation center capable of reintroducing species, in Colorado and beyond, on a larger scale than previously possible.

Denver Zoo's conservation efforts are coordinated by the Department of Conservation Biology. Through continued research and funding, the Department helps to conserve a variety of species worldwide. Although the zoo has been active in conservation and research since its founding in 1896, the establishment of the Department of Conservation Biology provides dedicated staff and funding to support hundreds of projects throughout the world.<ref name="zoo_conservation">{{cite web|url=http://www.denverzoo.org/conservation/overview.asp|title=Conservation Overview|work=denverzoo.org|publisher=Denver Zoological Foundation|access-date=1 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925104334/http://www.denverzoo.org/conservation/overview.asp|archive-date=25 September 2009}}</ref>

==Events==
'''Boo at the Zoo''' offers trick-or-treating and other Halloween-themed activities on select October evenings.

'''Zoo Lights''' is open during December evenings. This is a spectacular stroll through a wonderland of lights, many of them animated and representing animals at the zoo.

==References==
{{Reflist |colwidth=30em |refs=

<ref name="zoo_facts">
{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.denverzoo.org/about/zooFacts.asp
 |title       = Zoo Facts
 |work        = denverzoo.org
 |publisher   = Denver Zoological Foundation
 |access-date  = January 31, 2010
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100115150313/http://www.denverzoo.org/about/zooFacts.asp
 |archive-date = January 15, 2010
}}</ref>

<ref name="waza_list">
{{ZooOrg|waza|zoos|accessdate=December 31, 2010}}
</ref>

<ref name="aza_list">
{{ZooOrg|aza|zoos|accessdate=December 31, 2010}}
</ref>

}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |title=The Denver Zoo: a Centennial History |last1=Etter |first1=Carolyn |last2=Etter |first2=Don |year=1995 |publisher=Roberts Rinehart Publishers |location=Boulder, Colorado |isbn=9781570980398 |oclc=34512301}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website|http://www.denverzoo.org}}

{{Zoos of Colorado}}

{{Denver}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Denver]]
[[Category:Zoos in Colorado]]
[[Category:1896 establishments in Colorado]]
[[Category:Works Progress Administration in Colorado]]
[[Category:Parks in Denver]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Denver]]
[[Category:Educational organizations established in 1896]]
[[Category:Zoos established in the 19th century]]