Parc zoologique national, Zoological park in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Parque Zoológico Nacional is a zoological park in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, spread across green areas near the Isabela River and home to 130 animal species in naturalistic enclosures and exhibits. The grounds display animals from the Caribbean and other continents, arranged across several thematic zones connected by pathways.
The zoological park opened on July 5, 1975, replacing an outdated facility through a construction project led by architects Manuel Valverde Podestá and Eugenio Pérez Montás. The founding reflected the government's desire to create a modern institution for education and wildlife protection.
The zoo functions as an educational center where visitors learn about Dominican wildlife conservation, environmental protection, and biological research through guided programs.
The facility provides a cafeteria, gift shop, children's play areas, a service train, and designated zones for photography sessions. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection, as many areas remain exposed to the sun.
Visitors can observe the solenodonte, a rare mammal native to Hispaniola that represents one of the few surviving species from ancient Caribbean fauna. This nocturnal creature with venomous saliva is rarely seen in captivity anywhere else.
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