São Paulo Zoo, Animal preservation center in São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo Zoo is an animal park in the Água Funda neighborhood of São Paulo, covering around 200 acres (80 hectares) and featuring big cats and primates in naturalistic enclosures. The facility includes walking trails through forested areas, several lakes, and separate zones for different climate types.
The facility opened in 1958 and developed from a smaller private animal collection that was made accessible to the public. Since the 1980s, the zoo has increasingly focused on breeding programs for threatened South American species.
The park protects Brazilian animals like the golden lion tamarin and the giant anteater, which visitors can observe up close. Many school groups come here to learn about protecting these threatened species.
Visiting typically takes three to four hours since paths between enclosures pass through forested slopes and include some inclines. Electric carts can be rented for guests with limited mobility, and several restaurants are located throughout the grounds.
The grounds sit partly within Atlantic rainforest, and some wild animals like toucans and capuchin monkeys move through the trees above visitor paths. Artificial termite mounds have been installed in some enclosures so anteaters can display their natural feeding behavior.
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