Zoo Miami upgrading

After setting an attendance record of 1 million visitors in 2021, Zoo Miami is upgrading its services. Seven months into this fiscal year, officials say they are close to achieving their goal of hitting 1 million again.

New features were added this year. The Conservation Action Center opened in January 2021. It’s an interactive, indoor exhibit where visitors can explore and learn about the environment of pythons, polar bears, and frogs from the Amazon.

Around June or July, Zoo Miami expects to reopen the Rhino encounters, which holds horned Rhinos. It is an interactive experience that will hopefully attract more visitors.

“It’s an opportunity to learn more about [the rhinos] and get up close and experience truly majestic animals,” said zoo Director William Elgar.

The zoo also plans to open a sea turtle hospital very soon. This project will help Zoo Miami’s marine conservation rescue and rehab sea turtles, Mr. Elgar said.

Mr. Elgar, who has been zoo director for over a year, and his team have been monitoring attendance. “The way our fiscal year works is we do Oct. 1-Sept. 30, and that’s how we measure our attendance,” he said.

From October 2020 through September 2021, the zoo welcomed over 1 million guests for the first time.

There has been an increase in group events in the zoo, such as group picnics. Educational groups for children, such as summer camp, have also become a significant opportunity inside the zoo.

“We really appreciate the educational opportunities with kids coming to summer camps because they are our future,” Mr. Elgar said.

Throughout the zoo, local, national and international wildlife ranges from jaguars to koalas. There are 30 wildlife and environmental conservation initiatives annually across five continents.

Along with the animals, the zoo has more than 1,000 species of plants, including palms.

The zoo plans soon to refresh its master plan to lead efforts through the next ten to 20 years with ideas of what to do with the facilities. The plan will also demonstrate what to do with the animals and collection plan.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to look into the future and look at how we can support conservation even more but also how we can make the guest experience be enhanced,” Mr. Elgar said.

Zoo Miami has over 3,000 wild animals of over 500 species in its 750 acres, made accessible by 4 miles of walkways.

The Miami-Dade County-owned zoo at 12400 SW 152nd St. is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with tickets sold until 4 p.m. Adult admission is $22.95 plus taxes while children from 3-12 pay $18.95 plus taxes. Admission is free for children 2 and younger, as a ticket is not required.

Visitors can travel this massive zoo by foot, on a safari cycle, or on a tram train that runs through the whole area. The zoo recommends visitors wear masks and practice social distancing.

“We still try to make sure that people are aware,” Mr. Elgar said, “but there are no Covid-19 requirements currently.”