Four Passes to the Zoo!

Started in 1948 when it was located on 53 acres in the south end of Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Zoo Miami was then known as the Crandon Park Zoo. It was created when three monkeys, one goat, and two black bears which were purchased for $270 from a small road show stranded near Miami.Now one of the Country's best zoos, Zoo Miami opened in 2008, the $50 million, 27-acre Amazon and Beyond exhibit it is the largest exhibit of tropical America flora and fauna in the United States and possibly the world. The size of an average zoo, with 120 additional species, including keystone animals like the anaconda, giant river otter, jaguar, and harpy eagle; Amazon and Beyond will significantly expand the Zoo's collection and adds new conservation, research and educational opportunities. Amazon and Beyond represented the second phase of the Zoo's 20-year $350 million master plan. Planning and design has just begun for the next two phases: Zoowide "facelift" improvements and the Florida exhibit.