I recently visited the LA zoo but left the zoo saddened by the horrid conditions of the animals. I understand its a zoo and the animals arent going to be free, but when HUGE birds of prey (hawks, etc) are in cages 10 feet high, such that the top of their heads are touching the chain link roof, not enough is being done for these animals! The coyotes were isolated and cramped in small enclosures. I just hope funding for this zoo decreases so that the animals can get different homes. Go to San Diego Zoo instead. Its worth the extra bucks and wont leave you feeling helpless and sad.

The L.A. Zoo has been undergoing alot of renovation! Most recent updated exhibits are the Chimpanzees, Red Ape Rain Forest and the Komodo Dragon exhibit. This summer 2005, a new front entry plaza is opening with Sea Lion Cliffs. It will have an underwater viewing area, as well as a Children's Education Center.

New, larger exhibits are now under construction for the gorillas (a rain forest) and the elephants. A new reptile house is also planned.

One of the nice things about the L.A. Zoo is that it is also an accredited Botanical Garden. When I visit the zoo, I come home refreshed after seeing all of the beautiful trees and flowers. I also enjoy the exhibits that have beautiful waterfalls, such as the large flamingo exhibit.

If you are a Los Angeles resident, I recommend buying a Pass for the year...a real bargain.

My children loved the zoo and the walking was great . In between the animalss exhibits, they discussed the last animals and they really learned a lot. I recommened all parens to treat their children to an exciting day with the animals.

I recently moved to So Cal and I have been wanting to visit the LA zoo.
I finally went yesterday with a bunch of excited friends, and I was terribly dissapointed!!! The whole time I was there, I couldn't believe the number of empty cages and exhibits. The few animals I saw looked very loney and sad, which eventually depressed me.

The worst was when I got on the SAFARI shuttle. It charged $4 per person, so I thought it runs through a field with live animals. Soon I learned that it was just a shuttle that moves people from one point to another.

I left the park with a huge disappointment. When I told my co-workers the next day that I went to LA zoo, they all asked me, "WHY?!"

Save your energy. Leave LA zoo out of your schedule. There are much more things to see in LA than this collection of sad animal cages.