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The Topeka Zoological Park is a medium-sized zoo in Topeka, Kansas in the United States. It is located within Gage Park, just off I-70 in the north central portion of the city. Despite its small size, it has a number of fine exhibits, including one of the first indoor tropical rain forests in the United States. It is one of the most popular attractions in Topeka, with over 150,000 visitors a year, though attendance has been declining since the 1980s.
The zoo lost its accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2001, due to mismanagement, poor conditions for some of the animals being exhibited, and the deaths of several animals. In 2003, after a major overhaul of the zoo and the addition of several new exhibits, the Topeka Zoo regained its accreditation.
[edit] Why is the Topeka Zoo 'world famous'?
There once was a sign at the entrance of Gage Park welcoming visitors to "The World Famous Topeka Zoo". The zoo is not really world famous and the sign is there no longer, but the zoo's first director, Gary Clarke, insisted that employees answer the phone by saying "World Famous Topeka Zoo." And when the zoo gained national attention in 1971 by raising the first golden eagle chick in captivity, the name stuck.
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Zoos, aquaria and aviaries |
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