Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix Zoo is a zoological garden in Arizona, United States, spreading across 125 acres (50 hectares) and home to more than 3,000 animals from over 400 species in habitats with desert vegetation. The facility divides into several themed areas with pathways winding through landscapes of succulents and native plants.

The zoological center opened on November 1, 1962, becoming the first major facility of its kind in the southwestern United States. In the following decades, the grounds grew through new areas and programs for the conservation of threatened species.

The name reflects the Arizona capital and the grounds display many Sonora Desert species alongside animals from other continents. Visitors encounter themed zones such as the Arizona Trail, where native species live in enclosures with cactus and rock walls.

The grounds open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM and offer restaurants, shops, and picnic areas across the site. Visitors can walk the pathways or use a train that runs through several sections.

The center operates a veterinary medical center covering 27,000 square feet (2,500 square meters) that serves both its own animals and local wildlife rehabilitation. The grounds also host several threatened species participating in breeding programs for reintroduction into the wild.