An expert panel nominated the best North American AZA-accredited zoos – facilities that excel in the fields of animal care and enrichment. 10Best readers then voted for their favorites. Here are the top 10 winners.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in California's Palm Desert educates visitors on the challenges that desert animals face to survive.

The Dallas Zoo is the largest zoo in Texas at 106 acres. Founded in 1888, the zoo features 2,000 animals, representing 430 species.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson blends elements of a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, museum and aquarium into a seamless and unparalleled look at the region’s wildlife.

This world-famous zoo, along with its safari park, represents the largest and most diverse zoological collection in the world.

Situated in New Orleans, the Audubon Zoo features a spectacular recreation of the Louisiana Swamp — an exhibit linking the region’s Cajun culture with the plants and animals of the surrounding habitats.

Brevard Zoo takes the zoo going experience to adventurous levels. Guests can kayak through the African savanna, zip line through the jungles of South America or paddle boat through a restored Florida wetland.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs connects visitors with more than 750 animals representing 170 species from all corners of the globe.

This zoo hosts the world’s largest indoor desert, and its African Grasslands exhibit features 28 acres of habitats and exhibit spaces for giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs and sable antelope.

At the Cincinnati Zoo, guests can view hippos underwater (including world-famous hippo Fiona), pop up in a bubble amid meerkats or watch cheetahs racing at top speeds.

Established in 1909, the Fort Worth Zoo is the oldest continuously operated zoo in Texas and is home to more than 540 animal species from around the world.