Iowa Zoos
The Blank Park Zoo, Desmoines, Iowa.
Blank Park Zoo is a 25 acre zoological park on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa near historic Fort Des Moines. The zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is the only accredited zoo in Iowa. The mission of the Blank Park Zoo is to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education and recreation.
The all-new, 22-acre Blank Park Zoo opened on May 17, 1986. Designed by a local landscape architectural firm utilizing professional zoo planning consultants, it features a zoogeographic theme with spacious outdoor naturally landscaped environments for animals and people. During the 17 years between 1986 and 2003, the Zoo hosted over 3.6 million visitors, averaging 214,525 visitors per year.
Hours:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hours vary through the season, refer to their website for current hours.
Zoo Admission
Adults: 13 – 64 years, – $18.00
Children: 3 – 12 years – $12.00
Senior Citizens (65+ years) – $16.00
Children (2 years and under) – Free
Visit there site here. www.blankparkzoo.com
The Great Ape Trust, Desmoines Iowa
Great Ape Trust of Iowa, formerly known as Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary, is a world-class research center dedicated to providing sanctuary and an honorable life for great apes, studying the intelligence of great apes, advancing conservation of great apes and providing unique educational experiences about great apes. Located in southeast Des Moines on 200 acres of lowlands, river forest and lakes, Great Ape Trust will be among the largest great ape facilities in North America and one of the first worldwide to include all four types of great ape: bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans.
WILL THE PUBLIC BE ABLE TO VISIT?
First and foremost, Great Ape Trust is a research center for the study of great ape intelligence. Once apes are on site and have acclimated to their new surroundings, opportunities will be available for visitors to observe research sessions. Internet long distance learning opportunities are also being developed.
Visits will initially be limited to small groups due to ongoing construction and space limitations. Subsequent construction phases of Great Ape Trust will include an interpretive center which will further enhance the great ape experience for visitors.