Denver Zoo

CITY PARK. The Denver Zoo, as it currently exists, arose from humble beginnings – the gift, in 1896, of a young black bear to the mayor. From this small start, the zoo has mushroomed into an 80-acre refuge housing approximately 4000 animals. Habitats that mimic in-the-wild conditions shelter animal residents, who include great cats, primates, reptiles, birds, elephants, fish, and no small number of endangered species. A painting rhino is one of the zoo's unusual denizens. The facility has also gained fame for its conservation efforts.