 The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day! Located approximately five miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a 77-acre facility that is home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of diverse species. Committed to education, research and wildlife conservation, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is actively involved in 25 Species Survival Plans and proudly exhibits 32 threatened or endangered species. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is one of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the country.
Major naturalistic habitats at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium include:
- The Asian Forest: Rugged habitats are home to the endangered snow leopard, regal Siberian tigers and "Olympian" bar-headed geese.
- The African Savanna: Lions, zebras, ostrich, black rhinos, giraffes, elephants and other African animals roam 16 acres of majestic landscape. The thriving African elephant herd includes two calves, a female born in September of 1999, and a male born in September of 2000.
- The Tropical Forest Complex: A steamy indoor rainforest houses more than 90 primates from all parts of the globe, such as cotton-top tamarins, orangutans and one of North America's largest western lowland gorilla troops. A hundred and fifty different plant species from three equatorial regions of the world create an exotic jungle environment.
- Cheetah Valley: Tall grasses immerse this shy, agile cat that can run up to 70 miles per hour.
- Bears: Colossal kodiak bears, and black and spectacled bears forage through rocky hills.
- The PPG Aquarium: The new PPG Aquarium, which opened in June of 2000, features state-of-the-art exhibits such as a crawl-through stingray tunnel, a two-story shark tank and unique revolving tanks (the first of their kind to be exhibited publicly). An array of aquatic species is on exhibit, including penguins, sharks, a Pacific giant octopus, jellyfish, potbellied sea horses, an electric eel, live coral and much more. It is Pennsylvania's only public aquarium.
- Niches of the World: This habitat world tour features the rare Komodo dragon, enormous 100-pound pythons and rare tree kangaroos.
- Kids Kingdom: Ranked among the top three children's zoos in the country, Kids Kingdom teaches children what it is like to be an animal. Exhibits include walk-through goat and deer yards, a sea lion pool, a netted bird enclosure and the Animal Connections Playground. Discovery Pavilion features interactive displays, touch-screen learning centers and unique animal exhibits, such as a 40-foot bat flyway where visitors can hear vocalizations and flight movements through strung piano wire; a walk-through aquarium with huge fish swimming overhead; and meerkat tunnels where kids can burrow through and pop up in bubble windows face-to-face with the furry critters.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium's Mission Statement:
- The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will be a leader and significant contributor to the conservation of endangered and threatened species,
- We will provide an enjoyable family experience that fosters understanding, respect and appreciation for wildlife,
- We will be recognized for the excellence of our collection, programs and exhibitry,
- We will be acknowledged as a culturally significant facility,
- We will offer a variety of unique educational programs with a strong emphasis on conservation
- We will conduct scientific research which supports and enhances the quality of animal and plant life, visitor experiences, education and conservation
At the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and worldwide.
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