ABQ Biopark Zoo

Lions and tigers and elephants -- oh my! The ABQ Biopark Zoo in Albuquerque has all of those animals and many, many more.

The zoo was founded in 1927 and has expanded to 57 acres with 61 different species and 274 mammals -- and those numbers are growing every day. "The zoo is breeding animals that few other zoos are," said Lynn Tupa, zoo manager. "We are making a contribution to conservation."

This year, one of the signature births was of the 10 roadrunner chicks. The roadrunner is the official New Mexico state bird. "We are the only zoo in the country breeding them," Tupa said.

In addition to the roadrunner, the zoo also has been breeding Socorro Doves. The doves are from an island off Mexico and have been facing extinction. The zoo has been so successful in the breeding of the doves that they are now being sold to other zoos.

The zoo has had larger babies born recently as well. Daizy, the baby elephant born in September of 2009, can still be found roaming the elephant exhibit -- which is one of the best elephant exhibits in the country, Tupa said.

The baby siamang that was born in March, 2010 is expected to be returning to the display for public viewing in August. The baby gibbon is currently being hand raised because his mother was unable to position him for feeding. The zoo intends to reintroduce him to the exhibit as quickly as possible so he does not become too imprinted with humans.

The newest addition to the zoo is the set of rare snow leopard triplets born June 6, 2010. These babies are not out for public viewing yet, but visitors can watch them through a live video feed from the nest. They are currently the only triplet snow leopard births recorded in the country this year.

At the ABQ Biopark Zoo, visitors are given the opportunity to interact with animals in several ways -- from watching live video feed of young cubs, to strolling through the 2 ¼ miles of exhibit -lined paths or sitting and enjoying a live demonstration of the animals. Docents also bring some of the animals out to meet people up close and personal. If the heat of the day is too much for you, you can join some of the more nocturnal animals during the frequent twilight tours or concerts at the zoo.

HelloMetro Tip: The New Mexico BioPark Society offers memberships that covers admission to the Aquarium, the Botanic Garden and the Zoo for a very reasonable price. The memberships even offer the opportunity to add the ability to bring a guest with you on every visit.

- by Julie Medina, Albuquerque Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Julie Medina

Julie Medina has experience as a reporter at the Albuquerque Journal and has written freelance articles for the Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque the Magazine, New Mexico Magazine and New Mexico Kids Magazine. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico in 2008. She has lived in Albuquerque since 1984 and believes it is best to remember to play like a tourist in your own hometown so you don't forget the vast culture around you.