Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Zoo in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a zoological park in Cleveland, Ohio, covering about 183 acres with sections such as Australian Adventure, African Savanna, Northern Wilderness Trek and Asian Highlands. Each area is designed to recreate the natural surroundings of the animals living there, with plants, rocks and water features that reflect their home regions.
The zoo opened in 1882 at Wade Park and moved to its present site in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood in 1907. The first elephant arrived that same year, marking the start of large animal exhibits.
The RainForest exhibit covers about two acres with living trees, waterfalls and animals such as sloths and birds moving freely around visitors. Guests follow a path that winds through different levels, creating the feeling of walking inside a jungle.
The grounds are large, so comfortable shoes help, and breaks along the route make it easier to enjoy the depth of each section. The Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine provides veterinary care for the residents, and visitors can often watch care talks and feedings that explain the lives of the animals.
In the Australian Adventure section, visitors can walk among freely roaming kangaroos, wallabies and emus that move across grass and paths as if people themselves were part of the landscape. The animals sometimes approach guests or rest near the walkways, creating a quiet encounter.
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