Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

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The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, founded in 1873 and officially opened in 1875, is the second oldest zoo in the United States.

It began on 65 acres with a small animal collection including monkeys, bears, deer, raccoons, elk, a buffalo, a hyena, a tiger, an alligator, a circus elephant, and hundreds of birds. The zoo was inspired by the European zoological gardens, emphasizing natural, landscaped environments for the animals. It faced financial challenges early on but was saved by public support and philanthropists, eventually becoming city-run in 1932, which brought stability and growth.

The gardens and planted landscapes have evolved alongside the zoo, officially adding "Botanical Garden" to its name in 1987 to reflect the extensive and well-labeled plant collections integrated throughout the zoo grounds. Today, it spans about 75 acres in the city and includes state-of-the-art exhibits like the Cat Forest, Great EscApe primate habitat, and Expedition Africa, showcasing both animal conservation efforts and richly planted botanical displays.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is notable for pioneering naturalistic animal exhibits and for its leadership in wildlife and plant conservation, welcoming over a million visitors annually.​