Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is quite the draw for visitors from both within and outside of Nebraska. It's the state's top paid-attendance attraction, and it continually earns the highest accolades from tourists and from official zoo organizations. But even if you've been here a thousand times, there are probably some Henry Doorly Zoo facts you didn't know. See how many of these Omaha Zoo facts you were already aware of:
1. The zoo first opened in 1894 as the Riverview Park Zoo.
Pictured is the modern-day Garden of the Senses.
2. The zoo received a $750,000 donation in 1963 which resulted in its name change.
Margaret Hitchcock Doorly made the sizable donation with the stipulation that the zoo be named in honor of her late husband, Henry Doorly.
3. More than 17,000 animals call the zoo home.
I wonder if that includes all of the squirrels and chipmunks that follow people around, begging for food.
4. There are several ways to see (most of) the zoo without walking.
The tram has four stops throughout the grounds for easy hop-on and hop-off access. The train only runs on the weekends, and it is worth every penny of the $7 ticket cost for a round trip.
5. The IMAX Theater screen is a massive 61 feet tall and 83 feet wide.
6. The zoo has earned a number of places in the record books. It has the largest glazed geodesic dome in the world...
7. ...The largest indoor desert in the world...
8. ...The largest nocturnal exhibit in the world...
9. ...The largest indoor swamp in the world...
(Under the Desert Dome.)
10. ...The largest cat complex in North America...
11. ...And the second largest free-flight aviary in the world.
The four-acre aviary includes more than 500 birds.
12. The zoo has hosted an amazing 25 million visitors over the past 40 years.
13. In 1992, the Lied Jungle was named as one of the eight top engineering achievements in the U.S.
14. When viewed from above, the Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion looks like a winged insect.
15. The zoo isn't just about providing a fun attraction for visitors.
The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research is heavily involved in research and conservation efforts. The first test-tube tiger was born here, and the first test-tube gorilla still lives here. Several new species of animals and insects have been identified by zoo researchers.
Check out this YouTube video by Omaha Zoo for a virtual tour of the Lied Jungle:
Aren't these facts about Henry Doorly Zoo just fascinating? The Henry Doorly Zoo holds a lot of great memories for everyone who has had the good fortune to visit over the years. If you haven't been here yet, what are you waiting for? The zoo has been ranked among the best in the world, so it's definitely worth the trip.
How many of these Henry Doorly Zoo facts did you know? Tally up your score and let us know in the comments! If there is an attraction you'd like to see featured in an upcoming article, please fill out our nomination form so we can take a look! Don't forget to check out our previous article for a nearby botanical garden in Omaha that features all sorts of beautiful plants.
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