ST. LOUIS (KSDK) – The Saint Louis Zoo has an opportunity to be named one of the best zoos in the USA, and there's a lot of things to consider with that title.
Currently, St. Louis is second to Toledo's zoo in the numbers.
Voting for the Best Zoo in the USA continues through May 19. To cast your vote, visit the 10Best website.
So, we're helping viewers out and giving six reasons why the zoo should get the title.
- The Saint Louis Zoo is free. Need we say more? There's not many places in St. Louis, let alone the country, where you can go to a free zoo.
- It's getting even bigger. The Saint Louis Zoo already has a number of exhibits and programs, but there are hopes to have even more throughout the next 20-30 years. Last year, the Zoological Park Subdistrict Commission approved a multiyear, multiphase expansion that could include a trolley, bridge or gondola, a retail, dining and lodge option and possibly develop an indoor rainforest or aquarium.
- The animal park sits in one of the best parks in St. Louis. When you walk out of the park, visitors can enjoy Forest Park and all of its features from sitting along Art Hill or just taking a simple stroll past nature's glory.
- You can call an animal hotline. Did you see a creature in your backyard or maybe even the front yard and you're not sure what it was? There's a phone number for that. Visitors can call the hotline at 314-646-4549 or 1-800-966-8877 extension 4549 Monday through Friday and get answers to their burning animal questions.
- Education is key. Does your little one want to be the next "Crocodile Dundee" or maybe just a simple zookeeper? The Zoo offers a number of educational opportunities such as "Zookeeper for a Day" and summer camps where kids can learn about animals and get a better idea of what their aspirations might hold.
- Bring the Zoo to you. If you can't make it to St. Louis Zoo, guess what, it can come to you – sort of. The zoo hosts a number of videoconferencing programs as well as other outreach programs to accommodate groups.
If these reasons don't convince you, check out the latest babies born at the zoo below.
