The Maryland Zoo: Wild in Baltimore

The Maryland Zoo, once known as the Baltimore Zoo, brings some of the most exotic and interesting animals around the world to Marylanders as part of a conservation and educational effort. Opened in 1876, the Maryland Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the country and a great place to bring families and children on a weekend.

The Maryland Zoo has an impressive 1,500 animals on display. In particular it has a great number of creatures originating from Africa. It breeds and holds the most African black-footed penguins, has a chimpanzee forest, an African watering hole (featuring zebras, ostrich, gazelles, storks, and white rhinos), giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards and the works. The zoo also has a polar bear exhibit and a children's zoo.

Through conservation efforts, the zoo focuses on protecting local birds of prey, such as the bald eagle, and has a mountain gorilla veterinary program. The Base Camp Discovery section of the zoo is a live presentation of animals by zoo educators who teach and talk about each animal.

The children's zoo is a very interactive area, with a petting zoo of farm animals, giant bird's nest to climb inside, a large cave with bats and snakes, a large tree and slide in which children can visit with snakes, a marsh with lily pads that kids can jump across while observing ducks and other local birds, and a stream in which otters swim overhead. It can get fairly crowded around the children's area on a warm weekend, so consider taking the very young ones on a weekday if possible.

Such stature as one of the oldest zoos in the country unfortunately is also evident, especially in the wake of financial difficulty. Some former displays, such as the reptile section, was shut down in 2004 because it could no longer house the animals properly. However, the zoo continues to bring animals through for display; recently, a rare baby Sifika and a baby gazelle were born at the zoo. The zoo also offers many educational and interesting events to round out the offerings and experience, including bird walks, Brew at the Zoo beer tastings, family walks and lectures.

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