Home to over 2,000 animals, once The Baltimore City Zoo and commonly referred to the Baltimore Zoo, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore located in the famed Druid Hill, northwest of the City of Baltimore, Maryland is a 135-acre zoological park accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Interesting Facts About Maryland Zoo
First opened in 1876, some sixteen years after the park was purchased, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is recognized as the third oldest zoo in the United States. For several years the park was operated and maintained by the Baltimore City Board of Park Commissioners. In 2004 the park was renamed the The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.
Struck by financial problems the park was forced reduce it’s collection of animals resulting in the closure of several exhibits. This included closure of the original Main Valley incapable of comfortably housing the Zoo’s animals given it’s older styled barred iron cages, and stone walls. Also closed was the Zoo’s Reptile House which was located some distance from the main zoo.
• The closure of these exhibits resulted in the shipping of the animals to other zoos and aquarium for temporary housing.
• By 2008, Baltimore’s Maryland Zoo was featured in the 2008 edition of America’s Best Zoos.
• The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore plays an active role in many conservation programs, including, their vast amount of work with the African black-footed penguins breeding the largest number of African black-footed penguins, Polar Bears International, and Project Golden Frog. The zoo is also known for its help in the rehabilitation of local wildlife species such as the American bald eagle and other birds of prey.
• The African Journey notably the largest area of the zoo highlights several species native to the African continent. Some of these exhibits include, black crowned and demoiselle cranes, ground hornbill, and white stork. The African Watering Hole featuring white rhinoceros, ostrich, plains zebra, and saddle-billed stork. The African Aviary which displays the Zoo’s collection of birds including, blue duiker, African spoonbill, and fulvous whistling duck. The Chimpanzee Forest which houses colobus monkeys, chimpanzee, slender-shouted crocodile, Panamanian golden frog and African crested porcupine. The African journey is also known for its exhibits featuring, African leopard, Warthog, Cheetah, Lion, African elephant and its famous Camel rides.
• The Maryland Zoo features a feeding area where for a small fee visitors can interact and feed the zoo’s four reticulated giraffes.
• The Maryland Zoo in 2006 as part of a planned elephant exhibit published its plans to accept three female elephants from the Philadelphia Zoo however the plan was cancelled due to delayed construction.
• In 2007 the zoo began renovations of its elephant exhibit later receiving two elephants from Arkansas. A year later one of the Zoo’s female elephants gave birth to the first elephant born in the Zoo’s history. The elephant who was named Sampson can be currently viewed at the zoo.
• In 2010, two of the Zoo’s warthogs gave birth to two male offspring.
• The Zoo’s Maryland Wilderness featuring The Children’s Zoo displays several species native to Maryland.
• The Zoo’s Bog exhibit features the endangered bog turtle.
• The Zoo’s Marsh Aviary and Lily Pads encircles a man-made stream featuring several duck species and other birds native Maryland.
• Maryland Zoo’s Stream houses its collection of eastern hellbenders, red foxes and river otters. Visitors can stop by an underwater archway, and watch the otters swim overhead.
• Maryland Zoo’s Cave exhibit is a magically fashioned life-sized model or a cave housing several exhibits of bats, newts, and snakes.
• An exciting way for kids to get back to the ground, Maryland Zoo’s Giant Tree and Slide houses several species of animals, amphibians and snakes native to the region.
• The Zoo’s Meadow exhibit which allows children to poke their heads in large bubble windows from the ground features a variety of animals including, American toads and box turtles.
• Maryland Zoo’s Farmyard highlights a petting area featuring a selection of rare domestic breeds such as the African pygmy goats, Goat Corral, Nigerian dwarf goats and Goat Corral. Other animals included alpaca, barn owl, Cotswold sheep, and chicken.
• The “Maryland Wilderness” hallmarking The Children’s Zoo is dedicated to it’s charitable supporter, Lyn P. Meyerhoff
Maryland Zoo Webcams
Maryland Zoo Penguin Webcams
The Maryland Zoo gives guests an up close peek into the daily lives of its penguins allowing viewers to watch them fish daily for their morning and afternoon feedings.
Penguin Coast also features an interpretive building which includes a multi-purpose area used for education programs and animal demonstrations, restrooms, and indoor space for special events.