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Renovated at a cost of $36 million by the City of New York and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the once rundown Prospect Park Zoo is now a state-of-the-art wildlife center housing nearly 100 species of animals and many interactive exhibits. Specially designed for children, but with something to offer animal enthusiasts of all ages, the 12-acre facility has three major areas that provide close-up views of animals including North American River otters, red pandas, swans, a toucan, piranhas and baboons (a main attraction).
The outdoor Discover Trail; a walk-through aviary; Kangaroo and Wallaby Walkabout, home to several Australian favorites; a well-stocked drawing center near some of the exhibits; and a prairie dog town are special attractions. Also popular is the marsh, which features child-size goose eggs that provide cozy resting spots, as well as huge lily pads.
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Ongoing This zoo's 12 acres feature more than 125 species from around the globe, including mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can roam the lush gardens, marshes and scrubland of Discovery Trail, visit domestic animals on the farm, or head inside to meet nocturnal critters and a troop of Hamadryas baboons.