Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, Zoo and aquarium in Highland Park, Pittsburgh, United States
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is a zoological park in Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, housing more than eight thousand animals from all continents. The grounds span 31 hectares (77 acres) with themed areas such as African savanna, Asian rainforest and an aquatic world featuring sharks and penguins.
The park opened its gates on June 14, 1898, as one of the first zoological gardens in the United States. The aquarium section was added only in 1967 and later completely renovated to meet modern standards for marine life.
The aquarium displays a 180-foot tunnel made of acrylic where sharks and rays swim overhead while guests walk through. Outside exhibits house grizzly bears and Amur tigers that visitors can watch through large viewing windows.
Access is via Pennsylvania Route 8, from where the site is well signposted and offers a large free parking lot. Those who come early in the morning find quieter paths and more space at enclosures with feeding times in the morning.
Two rescued bald eagles named Justice and Liberty live in the American Heritage area and cannot fly because they were found injured. The macaroni penguin Mickey turned forty in November 2024, making him one of the oldest of his kind in human care.
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