Cali Zoo, Zoo in Comuna 2, Cali, Colombia
Cali Zoo is a wildlife facility in the city with multiple sections housing South American species, reptiles, birds, and large mammals in separate areas. Visitors walk through the grounds and observe animals in recreated natural habitats designed for different animal groups.
Cali Zoo opened in 1969 under mayor Marino Rengifo Salcedo and was run by the municipality. Poor management nearly closed it until 1 October 1981, when the non-profit foundation Zoológico de Cali took over. The foundation then remodelled exhibits and started a breeding programme that gained international recognition.
The zoo runs education and research centres: CREA for conservation programmes and CIDZOO for teaching methods and environmental sustainability. Its Hormiguero auditorium seats 108 people for educational films, and summer camps teach children aged 4 to 12 how keepers feed and care for the animals.
Access to the facility is available through multiple entrances, and the main gate is accessible for people with mobility restrictions. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the grounds are explored on foot and pathways have varying conditions depending on weather.
The facility preserves one of the country's largest animal collections with numerous species native to local mountains and river regions. This makes it an important place for research and study of these South American species.
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