Roger Williams Park Zoo

 Roger Williams Park Zoo

In Providence, Rhode Island, the Roger Williams Park Zoo houses more than 150 species from throughout the world in natural settings. It was the first zoo in New England to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1986. It is the third oldest zoo in the United States, having opened in 1872.

 

History

The Roger Williams Park Zoo initially opened its doors in 1872 with a tiny collection of small creatures such as raccoons, guinea pigs, mice, squirrels, rabbits, hawks, peacocks, and anteaters. The Menagerie, which opened in 1890, was its first structure. The facility began to grow out throughout the entire park in the 1900s, exhibiting a range of creatures such as monkeys, hoof stock, bears, and large cats. The Menagerie structure was turned into a birdhouse in 1929, and an elephant barn opened in 1930. (which would later be converted to the Tropical America building). A new sea lion pool was built in the 1930s. Bunny Village, one of the zoo's most popular attractions, debuted in 1949.The zoo began to decline in the mid-1960s.

animals and displays

More than 150 unusual and intriguing creatures from throughout the world may be found at the zoo. The zoo's major exhibits include:

Alex and Ani Farmyard: established in 2014. It functions as a petting zoo, with visitors able to feed the animals food provided by the zoo. Domesticated animals include Flemish giant rabbits, Guinea hogs, Huayna alpacas, Kekune pigs, little Anglo-Nubian goats, a miniature donkey, Shetland sheep, and numerous chicken varieties. It also includes fauna that is directly related to farms, such as barn owls. There are also interactive areas that simulate farm life and are sponsored by Munroe Dairy, Little Rhode Farms, and Bank RI. Fabric of Africa first opened its doors in April 1991, expanded in 1993, and was restored in 2008. It is the nearest exhibit to the zoo's entrance. It includes African spurred tortoises, Ankole-Watusi cattle, aoudads, ostriches, cheetahs, Grant's zebras, black crowned cranes, red river pigs, and wildebeests. It also includes Jumbo Junction.

African wild elephants and Mosai giraffes may be seen near Jumbo Junction. In the Elephant & Giraffe Pavilion, an interior component of Jumbo Junction, visitors may learn more about how the zoo cares for these huge animals. It is New England's only zoo with African elephants, who live in a 13,500 square foot (1,254.191 square meter) area. Despite the fact that the zoo now has three female elephants, it wants to acquire a male elephant in the near future. They will be able to breed in the near future. In 2008, the Fabric of Africa was refurbished to remodel Jumbo Junction, primarily to better handle elephants. Textron and the Robert F. Stoics/FIRSTFED Charitable Foundation support Jumbo Junction.