Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium has it all – from big cats to big fish, carnivores, herbivores and everything in between. From its origins over a century ago, this 31-hectare park has grown to become a major wildlife centre, home to more than 4000 animals from nearly 500 species, with a successful breeding programme.
Start your visit in the zoo section, which is divided into separate exhibit areas, designed to mimic the natural habitats of the animals on display. The African Savannah follows the course of a river, and you’ll feel like you’re on safari as you spot zebras, elephants and giraffes grazing and loping across the plains. Fearsome lions and speedy cheetahs can also be seen. Head into the cool Asian Forest for more big cats, including some of the world’s rarest, like the Amur tiger, Amur leopard and snow leopard. Komodo dragons also prowl the landscape.
Indoors, it’s all monkey business in the Tropical Forest. Designed to replicate a rainforest, this building houses the zoo’s primate collection, from majestic gorillas and grinning orang-utans to leaping lemurs and gibbons. Cool off at the Water’s Edge, inspired by fishing village, this exhibit brings together common wildlife of the US coast. Go underwater through the glass tunnels and watch polar bears dive for fish, come face to face with a sand tiger shark or admire streamlined sea otters.
Young visitors will love Kid’s Kingdom, which gives them a chance to get up close to animals in the petting zoo. There’s also a play area and even a meerkat burrow that kids can crawl through to understand how these inquisitive creatures live.
PPG Aquarium is part of the zoo complex, and focuses on showing the diverse ecosystems in our planet – from tropical reefs, to arctic chill, to freshwater streams. You can even see local aquatic wildlife in the Pennsylvania exhibit.
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is situated in Highland Park, about 10 kilometres east of central Pittsburgh. Free parking is available on site, or a Port Authority Transit (PAT) bus stops nearby. A small entry fee applies. The zoo is open every day, except Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November), Christmas Day and New Year's Day.