Covering 284 hectares (710 acres) of parkland, this unique zoological garden contains some 5,000 animals, plus an extensive botanical collection. Pavilions -- including Africa, Indo-Malaya, Australasia, and the Americas -- and outdoor paddocks house the plants and animals.

One popular zoo attraction is at the African Savanna project. It re-creates a market bazaar and safari through Kesho (Swahili for "tomorrow") National Park, past such special features as a bush camp, rhino midden, elephant highway, and several watering holes. It also includes the Gorilla Rainforest, which opened in the spring of 2001; it's one of the most popular sights at the zoo -- little wonder, as this is the largest indoor gorilla exhibit in North America. In the summer of 2002, the zoo opened Splash Island, a kids-only water park that includes a replica of a Canadian Coast Guard ship.

Ten kilometers (6 miles) of walkways offer access to all areas of the zoo. During the warmer months, the Zoomobile takes visitors around the major walkways to view the animals in the outdoor paddocks. The zoo has restaurants, a gift shop, first aid, and a family center. Visitors can rent strollers and wagons, and borrow wheelchairs. The African pavilion has an elevator for strollers and wheelchairs. There's ample parking and plenty of picnic areas with tables.