Adults, teens, children all stroll the paths by waterfalls, and ponds, coves with sculptures, along side animals enclosures with "mud" walls. The Thunderbird Express train ran along small tracks taking visitors through the park. There's a children’s playground. On the wide green lawn, a volunteer with a parrot gives children (and adults) a chance to see the beautiful bird up close.

Year round there’s seal and sea lion feeding. Afterwards, walk down under their pool and watch these graceful mammals glide, twist, and roll through the water. You can also catch the polar bear feeding.

In the summer, the public feedings expand. In the Australia area visitors can buy a cup of nectar and feed the colorful lorikeets. The giraffe area offers opportunities to feed these long-necked mammals. Llamas are brought out to the green lawn by the Cottonwood Café. Docents in the Backyard Habitat exhibit introduce visitors to African Crested or Prehensile-Tailed porcupines.

The whole family will enjoy the Animal Encounter Show in the Natural Theater. It's a chance to get up close with some of the avian stars -- Cassidy the red-tailed hawk and Beau, the talking parrot who could be induced to bark like a dog and laugh.

Founded in 1927, the Rio Grande Zoo has expanded greatly over the years, and is in the process of yet further development. There will be an Asia area and the elephant area will be expanded.

There’s always something happening in the Rio Grande Zoo. A new baby giraffe, a pregnant zebra about to have her baby, and snow leopard cubs. For more information visit Albuquerque Biopark Zoo

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