Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park, Tribally owned zoo and botanical park in Window Rock, Arizona, United States
The Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park occupies 14.7 acres (5.9 ha) near the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock (Tségháhoodzání), Arizona. It houses about 100 animals of over 50 species, mostly native to Navajoland, and is the only tribally owned zoo in the United States. Its exhibits are labeled in the Navajo language.
The facility started in 1963 when a bear named Yogi was left behind after a tribal fair, becoming the reason for creating a wildlife refuge. This accidental beginning led to a place where regional animals could be permanently housed.
Exhibits are labelled in the Navajo language, and the zoo's mission centres on fauna and flora important to Navajo culture and traditions. It houses mainly injured and orphaned animals native to Navajoland, and staff accept appointments for offerings and ceremonies held on the grounds. In 2015 three exhibit snakes were rehomed for cultural reasons.
The zoo covers 14.7 acres next to the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock; its entrance is free. Paths are concrete sidewalks with seating around the grounds, and a paved parking lot serves visitors. Exhibits are labeled in Navajo, and the zoo receives about 45,000 visitors a year.
Since 2008 the zoo has lobbied for funding and a permit to build an eagle sanctuary so it could give feathers to tribal members for ceremonies under federal law. Under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, dead eagles found anywhere are collected by the federal government and shipped to a central depository in Colorado.
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