Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

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Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
One Wild Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Telephone Number:
1 (800) 474-4966

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
is open every day of the year except
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New
Year's days. Located five miles east
of downtown Pittsburgh, the Zoo is a
77-acre facility that is home to thousands
of animals representing hundreds of
diverse species. Committed to education,
research, and wildlife conservation, the
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is actively
involved in 23 Species Survival Plans and
proudly exhibits 22 threatened or
endangered species. The Pittsburgh
Zoo & PPG Aquarium is one of only
six major zoo and aquarium combinations
in the country.

Naturalistic Habitats at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

* The Asian Forest - Rugged habitats are home to the endangered snow leopard, Amur tigers, the Komodo dragon, and the Amur leopard.

* The African Savanna - Lions, zebras, ostrichs, black rhinos, giraffes, and elephants roam 16 acres of majestic African landscape. The thriving African elephant herd includes two new calves, both females, born less than three weeks apart in July, 2008.

* The Tropical Forest Complex - A steamy indoor rainforest houses more than 90 primates from all parts of the globe, such as cotton-top tamarins, orangutans, and one of North America's largest western lowland gorilla troops. A hundred and fifty different plant species from three equatorial regions of the world create an exotic jungle environment.

* African Ravine - The African painted dogs run wild in the new African Ravine. The two males and two females roam the ravine, playing, barking, and hiding in the grasses.

* Bears - Colossal Kodiak bears, black bears, and spectacled bears forage through the rocky hills of the Bear Dens. The bear exhibit is the oldest in the Zoo, built during the 1930s.

* The PPG Aquarium - The PPG Aquarium, which opened in June of 2000, has the theme Diversity of Water, and features state-of-the-art exhibits such as a crawl-through stingray tunnel, a two-story shark tank and unique revolving tanks (the first of their kind to be exhibited publicly). A wide array of aquatic species from a variety of watery habitats include penguins, sharks, a Pacific giant octopus, jellyfish, potbellied sea horses, an electric eel, live coral, and much more. The PPG Aquarium is Pennsylvania's only public aquarium.

* Water's Edge - The Zoo's newest exhibit features polar bears, sea otters, and--in the future--walruses. With 10 strategically placed viewing windows and two huge underwater tunnels, Water's Edge provides an opportunity to get up close and personal with these wonderful animals unmatched anywhere.

* Kids Kingdom - Ranked among the top three children's zoos in the country, Kids Kingdom is the place where kids learn what it's like to be an animal by acting like one. Walk-through goat and deer yards, a sea lion pool, a netted bird enclosure, and the Animal Connections Playground allow kids to have fun while learning about wildlife. The Worlds of Discovery building features naked mole-rats, spiders, and reptiles. There's even a 40-foot bat flyway where bats fly directly past visitors separated only by strung piano wire. A walk-through aquarium features beautiful fish swimming overhead. The meerkat tunnels allow kids to burrow through and pop up in bubble windows face-to-face with furry and fun meerkats.



The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium's Mission Statement

* The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will be a leader and significant contributor to the conservation of endangered and threatened species
* We will provide an enjoyable family experience that fosters understanding, respect, and appreciation for wildlife
* We will be recognized for the excellence of our collection, programs, and exhibitry
* We will be acknowledged as a culturally significant facility
* We will offer a variety of unique educational programs with a strong emphasis on conservation
* We will conduct scientific research which supports and enhances the quality of animal and plant life, visitor experiences, education and conservation at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and worldwide


Safety Guidelines

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is dedicated to providing safe, fun, and unique educational encounters with wildlife. Please observe the following policies for the health and safety of your group, our animals and staff members, and all our visitors.

* The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a tobacco-free Zoo. There is no smoking, chewing, or any other use of tobacco products on Zoo property.
* Heelys, skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, scooters, and roller-skates are not permitted on Zoo grounds. Unauthorized motorized vehicles, other than wheelchairs or electric scooters for the disabled, are not permitted on the Zoo paths. Please remain on the pathway throughout your visit. All strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs must use the elevator located next to the escalator.
* Pets are not permitted on Zoo grounds, in the parking lot, or in cars. For more information on off-site babysitting for your pet, contact the Golden Bone Pet Resort at www.goldenbonepetresort.com or call 412-661-7001.
* In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, only Service Dogs are permitted on Zoo grounds. Please be prepared to provide documentation that your dog is an official service dog. Due to the nature of some exhibits within Kids Kingdom, we are unable to allow service dogs in open-contact yards.
* We ask that all food be "picnic style" meaning no grills or glass bottles
* Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on Zoo grounds during normal business hours.
* For the safety of all, no costumes or masks are allowed on Zoo grounds, with the exception of our ZooBoo event in October.
* Balloons and straws are very dangerous to animals and are not permitted inside the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
* We are a rain or shine facility. Rain checks and refunds will not be granted.
* All of our animals' diets are closely monitored by our vet and keeper staff. Please do not feed the animals.
* For health and safety reasons, footwear must be worn at all times.

Thank you for following these guidelines to insure the safety of our visitors and the animals.

©Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium