Conservation Zoos With Heart

With sustainable tourism on the rise, amber jacobs uncovers the zoos devoted to the conservation of wildlife.

When it comes to entertaining the little ones, nothing quite beats a day at the zoo. With an increasing number of zoos committing to conservation, meeting furry friends while preserving Mother Nature’s biodiversity has never been easier. Global warming, deforestation and poaching have made it impossible for many endangered creatures to live in their natural habitat, and zoos now play an integral role in their reintroduction and protection. For a zoo to truly contribute to conservation they must be proactive in furthering scientific research for the preservation of vulnerable and endangered species both within the zoo and in the wild. Modern zoos focus on educating visitors and their animals act as ambassadors for their wild relatives, making them the perfect learning space for little globetrotters. Here are our picks of the top conservation zoos from around the world.

Australia Zoo

sunshine coast,

Queensland, Australia Australia Zoo, one hour north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast, is known as the home of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Nestled on 42 hectares and with over 1200 native and exotic animals, it is one of the most interactive wildlife adventures and conservation destinations on the planet.

Check out giraffes, rhinos, zebras and meerkats at the African Savannah, and majestic tigers and red pandas in Southeast Asia. Visit Bindi’s Island, where you can explore a three-storey treehouse with sweeping views of Australia Zoo and see ring-tailed lemurs, giant Aldabra tortoises and colourful macaws. Watch the world-famous Wildlife Warriors show at noon, with all the slithering, swooping, jaw-snapping action of saltwater crocodiles, birds and snakes live in the Mount Franklin Crocoseum.