The LA zoo really has an impressive number of animals to learn about and appreciate, a strong conservation program, educational classes for children, a nursery and a petting zoo. (All you really get to pet are goats, but that's ok).
The giraffes and chimpanzees are both fun to enjoy. Big animals like hippos, rhinos, and bears are all next door to each other. The Elephants of Asia exhibit is extraordinary, but its very large and with too few elephants to be able to glimpse them close up and enjoy. One the other hand, the Campo Gorilla Reserve is excellent. There are lots of gorillas and they will sit nose-to-nose with children at the glass. The new LAIR - Living Amphibians, Invertebrates & Reptiles - houses more than 60 species. The zoo is hard at work on improvements to a campus that had been ailing.
Unfortunately, the zoo still is hard to navigate, and when pushing a stroller, much of it is uphill. The map is poor and the signage could be better. Watch for contruction information too! Be sure to ask employees. A "short-cut" we took to the parking lot ended up being a dead-end. Not much fun on a hot day. The LA Zoo isn't on my top 10 list of fun zoos in the world to visit, but it should be supported!
