Left Field Wander: The Las Vegas Zoo

It was a scorching hot day in Las Vegas yesterday, so what did I do? I visited a zoo … on a day that hit 111° as measured by the soles of my feet, the cheeks of my face, and my steaming armpits.

The Las Vegas Zoo, more accurately known as the "Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park," can be found just west of North Las Vegas, a not-so-long car trip from the center of the Las Vegas Strip.

I hadn’t heard anything about there being a zoo in Las Vegas, but I figured there must be one. I mean, after all, doesn’t every city have a zoo? So I googled “zoo las vegas” and voila! Awrighty, then. Score one for the dormant zoologist in me.

Next … how to get there. I checked Yahoo maps. Here’s what it said: “Start at 3655 LAS VEGAS BLVD S, LAS VEGAS. Turn Right on PARIS DR. Turn Right on S LAS VEGAS BLVD(NV-604 N) - go 0.2 mi. Turn Right on E FLAMINGO RD(NV-592 E). Make a U-Turn on E FLAMINGO RD(NV-592 W) - go 0.5 mi. Turn Right to take ramp onto I-15 N toward SALT LAKE - go 4.1 mi. Take exit #42A/RENO/MARTIN L KING BLVD onto NV-599 toward US-95-BR - go 2.9 mi. Make a U-Turn at MELODY LN onto N RANCHO DR(NV-599 S). Arrive at 1775 N RANCHO DR, LAS VEGAS, on the Right.”

Now … I don’t know about you, but that confused the heck outta me. So I figured out my own route: From the hotel, turn right on the Las Vegas Strip. Turn left on Sahara Blvd. Turn right on Rancho. Drive until Melody Lane just past the I-15. The zoo will be on the left.

Sometimes, surface streets are easier. I got there just fine. Well, not exactly “just fine.” Somehow I missed seeing the BIG ORANGE AND YELLOW FENCE WITH THE HUGE LETTERS identifying the place. LOL. I went ‘way past the Texas Station Casino and have to turn around when I finally decided to check the address.

The Las Vegas Zoo doesn’t measure up to some of the great zoos I’ve seen: The Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, the San Francisco Zoo, the San Diego Zoo, the Vancouver Zoo, the National Zoo, the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, even the Honolulu Zoo, which by no means can be considered “great.”

Admission is $9 for adults, and $7 for kids and retired kids like me. It’s a small zoo, and save for the plethora of doves, Guinea fowl and peafowl, the animals are caged, behind fences and bars.

Most of the mammals were hiding in shade or dens. Can’t say as I blamed them. I mean, it was hot hot hot. But the heat didn’t seem to bother the reptiles or the birds. The only active animals were the kids, who were running around picking up peacock and Guinea hen doo-doo, much to the chagrin of their parents: “That’s NOT birdseed! Drop that now! I said NOW!”

Gift Shop Stuffed ... Stuff

The gift shop was full of regular stuff you find in regular stores, 'cept they were animal-related: Stuffed toys, keychains, sippers, magnets, bookmarks, models, tee-shirts. Nothing specifically identifying them from the Las Vegas Zoo.

So … nothing special, but a nice half-day adventure (if you’re prone to just wander around as I do). I did manage to get some neat animal/bird pix through the cages, though, so I can share those with you.