Poppy BlaelochMany animals across the world are at risk of extinction, so this list focuses on groups which are working their hardest in order to save them – and how you can help! If you are interested in conservation efforts and would like to travel to any of these destinations please reach out to us and we will help you to book travel.
Before we jump in to our list, it’s important to first understand what conservation means. So, what is it? Animal conservation is the practice of protecting endangered and threatened animal species and their habitats. Conservation efforts are important to our planet because it helps to maintain biodiversity – or the existence of many different types of species – and provides for the health of Earth’s ecosystem. With that, let’s get straight into it.
#1 – San Diego Wildlife Alliance
This international, non-profit conservation organization integrates wildlife health and care, science, and education into the development of sustainable conservation solutions. It tackles issues such as climate change, invasive species, habitat degradation, human-wildlife conflict, wildlife trafficking, and emerging diseases. Visitors to either of the alliances’ parks, The San Diego Zoo and The Safari Park, are encouraged to join in some of the initiatives that SDWA has created such as helping to stop illegal wildlife trade, helping to protect the world’s oceans, slowing climate change, and helping to protect the natural habitats of animals who are at risk of human invasion.
Outside of their conservation efforts this world-renowned zoo is home to over 3,700 animals and 700,000 plants, making it one of the largest zoos in the world. Here you can find everything from tigers to koalas and even the rare giant panda. The parks are especially proud of their efforts in protecting animals such as the California Condor from extinction. If you are apprehensive about visiting, or even if you have young children, wildlife camera’s are available and allow for you to watch the daily goings-on of a selection of their animals such as the platypus.
#2 – Singapore Zoo
This award-winning zoo is home to over 2,800 animals from more than 300 species, including white tigers and Asian elephants. It’s also the only zoo in the world with free-ranging orangutans, so you won’t want to miss it. They put a massive effort into conservation by donating a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales towards their efforts in the rehabilitation of rescued wildlife. Over the last decade they have been responsible for rescuing over 120 pangolins and starting a senior animal care plan designed to aid the animals in their care live out their golden years.
All visitors are welcome to enjoy behind-the-scene experiences in which you can feed the animals and for children their is the KidzWorld where they feature the Ranger Buddies that assist during up-close animal interactions and interactive play.
#3 – National Zoo and Aquarium in Australia
Note: This zoo is an absolute queen when it comes to accessibility features, so if you don’t wish to read about them please skip the first paragraph.
This zoo is an absolute dream for wheelchair-bound travelers. Not only does it offer disability parking and mobility scooters available for rent, but it also has a designated adventure trail to follow so that steep inclines can be avoided. Additionally for those with limited mobility (or toddlers) they offer a 2 day pass so that you can split your time in the zoo and the aquarium. The Adventureland Playground includes a wheelchair accessible playhouse and two fully-harnessed swings. Carers for special needs visitors are admitted free of charge and trained assistance dogs are allowed, though some limitations do apply for the safety of the dog. Due to this limitation if you are coming with a trained assistance dog it is advised that you make your booking ahead of your visit.
National Zoo and Aquarium has a number of hands-on animal experiences which serves their purpose of inspiring and assisting in the conservation of the natural world through innovative and exciting educational experiences. One of these experiences is the chance to stay in the Jamala Wildlife Lodge which offers the opportunity to experience the thrill of close encounters with some of the world’s most dangerous and endangered animals as well as relaxing in the unique atmosphere of the uniquely designed accommodation hubs: the Giraffe Treehouses, Jungle Bungalows, and the uShaka Lounge. Another educational experience they offer is their Junior Zoo Keeper program which gets down to the nitty-gritty of working in a zoo setting as it teaches young people how to clean enclosures, prepare meals and create toys for the animals in preparation for becoming a zookeeper.
#4 – Toronto Zoo in Canada
Note: While this zoo doesn’t have as many mobility features as the previous zoo it does have accessibility features that could be especially important to autistic travelers, and as such we are going to focus on those features first. Please feel free to skip over the next paragraph should you not desire to read about these features.
The Toronto Zoo offers an Adventure Access Pass for guests with significant trouble standing for extended periods of time or whom might have other difficulties with waiting in line. This pass is in the form of a lanyard that has the time which the individual can access the attraction printed on it. They also offer sensory friendly early admission hours as well as a sensory bag which can be picked up from the accessibility hub. This bag includes headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys and visual cues cards from MagnusCards which help to guide you through the zoo.
Toronto Zoo has joined the fight against extinction through programs such as adopt-a-pond which focuses on educating individuals about life forms within this particular ecosystem and through efforts to protect pollinators such as bees. They accept volunteers and an offer adopt-an-animal. The entire zoo is centered around the education of it’s guests features like behind-the-scene wild encounters, a VIP tour, the chance to “Meet the Guardians” that talk to you about the animals they care for, help you to feed the animals and witness enrichment activities.
#5 – Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark
Did you know that 80% of the world’s animals were nocturnal? This is the sort of thing that the Copenhagen Zoo keeps in mind with their habitats. The Natzoo has day and night flipped so that their visitors can see animals like rat kangaroos, galagos, and armadillos. Visitors are even given the option of looking into a cave which is filled with bats.
Other areas within the zoo include the Zoolab where you can meet a colony of ants, including the Queen of the leaf cutter ants. The leaf cutter ant is one of the largest ants in the world and their queen is roughly the size of a dime. There’s also the Tropezoo which mimics the rainforest and a children’s zoo with barnyard animals.
Copenhagen Zoo raises money for conservation projects by donating the proceeds from people going up the Zoo Tower. The tower is 142.7 ft, or 43.5 m, and allows you to have magnificent views of both the park and parts of Copenhagen. Their current conservation projects include protecting rhinos from poaching, tracking the population of the wild musk oxen, and the reintroduction of Danish amphibians to the wild.
#6 – Zoo de Granby in Quebec, Canada
This zoo is home to over 1,500 animals from around the world, including black bears, bison, and even the endangered Siberian tiger. It finances and promotes conservation, research, and education projects for the preservation of wildlife, flora and the environment in Quebec and around the world. While they also work on global projects they do have a focus on indigenous species in projects such as the protection of nesting sites used by the chimney swift.
The Zoo de Granby focuses on having all of their environments as natural and immersive as they can. Their are five total environments including The Village which is a guide to the other major habitats: Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania. Asides from animals the zoo also raises money from the Amazoo Water Park and an onsite amusement park with activities like bumpers cars, a carousel and the Python Panic rollercoaster.
#7 – San Antonio Zoo in Texas, USA
This non-profit organization is committed to securing a future for wildlife. While there is much to enjoy for everyone, this zoo is heavily targeted towards children. This is especially true after their acquisition of Kiddie Park (est. 1925) which is America’s Oldest Children’s Amusement Park. The San Antonio Zoo offers behind the scenes tours and animal encounters for all ages as well as a summer camp, overnight Stays, twilight tours and an adopt-an-animal program.
#8 – London Zoo in England
This world-famous zoo is home to more than 18,000 animals from all over the world, including tigers, giraffes, and even the rare Komodo dragon. It is however the Tiny Giants habitat which enables you to see conservation in action. This habitat celebrates the tiny but mighty creatures the world literally couldn’t live without including coral and other aquatic creatures, insects and snails. As the world’s first scientific zoo the London Zoo has accomplished quite a bit through their conservation breeding program including the preservation of over a dozen species which are extinct in the wild as well as saving species like the Mountain Chicken Frog from complete extinction.
This zoo truly has something available for everyone from experiences where you can meet some of the animals like meerkats and monkeys to an interactive sensory experience for babies in which they can experience life underwater. They also offer keeper experiences in which you can go behind the scenes and see what it really takes to care for animals. Some of the more interesting experiences include their work with a hypnotist for a program which helps you to overcome your fear of spiders as well as a chance to do Vinyasa yoga with the penguins.
#9 – Singapore Night Safari
This unique experience is the first nocturnal zoo in the world and is home to over 2,500 animals. Here you can find everything from Indian rhinos to flying squirrels and even the elusive binturong. Trails that you can experience include the East Lodge Trail which takes you to the crossroads of Africa and Asia where you can see animals of the Savannah and the Tropics living side by side, The Pangolin Trail which features Southeast Asian creatures, The Leopard Trail which will allow you to see wildlife which is indigenous to Asia, and the Tasmanian Devil Trail where you will come in contact with Tasmanian devils, wallabies and other marsupials.
#10 – Berlin Zoo, Germany
Home to over 19,500 animals from almost 1,500 species, the historic Berlin Zoo is considered to be the zoo with the most species in the world. This is because this zoo contributes to global conservation efforts through species protection. What this means is that they will be alerted to an animal in need, such as polar bears and go to study them in their natural habitat to see what it is that they need and how they can be provided those necessities.
Interesting features of this zoo include an aquarium with deep sea creatures, a sensory guided tour for the blind and deaf where they can feel polar bear fur or hear the roar of a lion in a way that is tailored to meet their needs, and a special program for individuals with dementia which gives them the opportunity to express themselves while reconnecting with familiar ideas.
If you would like to contribute to any conservation efforts or have interest in seeing any of these exotic animals while on a trip please reach out to us and we can help you book your ticket! Know of a place that we didn’t feature? Please let us know so we can include it in the next post. Thank you for reading. Happy travels!