Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
{{short description|Zoological park in Monroe, Louisiana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name = Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
|logo = Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo logo.png
|logo_width =
|logo_caption =
|image =
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|date_opened =
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|location = Monroe, Louisiana
|coordinates = {{Coord|32.4663|-92.0937|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|num_species =
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|website = {{URL|monroezoo.org}}
}}
Image:Boat ride in pond at Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.jpg
Image:Prairie dog exhibit at Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.jpg
Image:Pink flamingos at Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.jpg
Image:Giraffe at Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.jpg
Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, located in Monroe, Louisiana, is an {{convert|80|acre|adj=on}} zoological park that exhibits over 500 animals.
Attractions and activities
There is a reptile house and a total of roughly 500 animals at the zoo, including addax, agile wallaby, alligator snapping turtle, American alligator, American black bear, American flamingo, bald eagle, black swan, black-necked swan, black-tailed prairie dog, Burchell's zebra, Cape buffalo, dromedary camel, Egyptian geese, elk, emu, hippopotamus, lion, nine-banded armadillo, ostrich, red kangaroo, spotted hyena, tiger, western hoolock gibbon, white-tailed deer and several other animals.{{cite web |title=Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo |url=https://monroezoo.org/animals/ |website=monroezoo.org |language=en}}
There is also a boat tour that allows visitors to see species that are not visible from the foot paths, including hoofed animals, primates, and species native to the area. The zoo holds various seasonal festivities that include the Easter Egg Extravaganza, Boo at the Zoo, and Splash into Summer.
History
The original name of the Louisiana Purchase Gardens Zoo was Bernstein Park Zoo, named after Mayor Arnold Bernstein who was Mayor of Monroe in 1919 until his death in 1937.
Much of the development of the zoo came during the long-term administration of Mayor W. L. "Jack" Howard who made the facility a centerpiece of his campaign for municipal improvements, along with such projects as a new City Hall and Civic Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.monroezoo.org/aboutus.html|title=About Us: Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo|publisher=monroezoo.org|accessdate=July 6, 2013}}
In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture, which holds regulatory authority over the nation's zoos, mandated that the zoo remodel the kitchen where the food for the animals is prepared and construct eight new holding pens for primates. Zoo director Joe Clawson said that he expected to tap into the $80,000 annual maintenance budget to make the needed changes in-house.{{cite news|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20130718/NEWS01/307180049/USDA-Zoo-must-make-changes|title=Scott Rogers, USDA: Zoo must make changes, July 18, 2013|newspaper=Monroe News-Star|accessdate=July 19, 2013}}
As of 2017 the zoo was in full compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture. In June the zoo acquired a new male lion and remodeled the lion exhibit. The zoo is also in the process of buying a new train for the visitors.
Notes
{{Reflist |refs=
{{Cite web
|url=http://www.monroezoo.com
|title=Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
|work=monroezoo.com
|publisher=Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
|accessdate=18 September 2010
}}
{{Cite web
|url=http://www.monroezoo.com/faq.html#0
|title=Frequently Asked Questions
|work=monroezoo.com
|publisher=Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
|accessdate=18 September 2010
}}
{{Cite web
|url=http://www.ci.monroe.la.us/zoo.php
|title=Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
|work=ci.monroe.la.us
|publisher=City of Monroe
|accessdate=18 September 2010
}}
}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
- {{Official website|http://www.monroezoo.org}}
{{Zoos of Louisiana}}
{{Monroe, Louisiana}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Monroe, Louisiana
Category:Tourist attractions in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana
Category:Protected areas of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana
{{zoo-stub}}
{{Louisiana-stub}}