What is the Tulsa Zoo ranked?

The Tulsa Zoo has been voted one of the top family friendly zoos in the country. The magazine ranks the Tulsa Zoo 16th out of 150. The zoo held a special ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the announcement. Mayor LaFortune credits zoo staff, volunteers and zoo friends for the honor.



The Tulsa Zoo consistently ranks as one of the premier zoological parks in the United States, frequently appearing in "Top 10" lists for family-friendly attractions and regional excellence. While global rankings often prioritize giants like the San Diego Zoo, the Tulsa Zoo is a highly respected AZA-accredited institution (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), placing it in the top 10% of wildlife facilities nationwide for animal care and conservation efforts. In 2026, it is particularly noted for its award-winning exhibits like the "Lost Kingdom" and its dedication to the "Oxley Nature Center." It has previously been voted the "Best Event for Families" in local rankings and holds a strong reputation for its educational programs and accessibility. With its ongoing "Building Beyond" expansion project, the zoo continues to elevate its status, providing a world-class experience that balances immersive animal habitats with significant global conservation impact, making it a cornerstone of Oklahoma's cultural and scientific community.

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San Diego, California Our 2023 Best Of Travel Award winner for Best Zoo in the U.S. is the San Diego Zoo! Situated in sunny San Diego's beautiful Balboa Park, this southern California zoo is renowned for its diverse collection of animals and dedication to conservation.

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The most important factors are quality of care for the animals and quality of the exhibits. Two other main factors are available animal encounters and organized zoo regions. Zoos that have a large variety of animals or unique animals also score well.

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The Berlin Zoological Garden, which opened in 1844, is home to the largest variety of animals of any zoo in the world. Come see its more than 20,000 animals representing more than 1,300 species, including a few polar bears.

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The word “zoo” is short for “zoological park.” Zoos contain wide varieties of animals that are native to all parts of the Earth.

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Naming 275 zoos and aquariums in total, the awards call the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, the world's best. The San Diego Zoo in California comes in second place. Monterey, California's Monterey Bay Aquarium tops the list of world aquariums.

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The first real zoo was established by Queen Hatshepsut in 1500 B.C. in Egypt by collecting animals from all over Africa. Later, Emperor Wen Wang of China built a zoo to show his wealth and power. Spread over 1,500 acres, it had animals from all over his empire and was named the Garden of Intelligence.

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That captivity can be REALLY bad for both physical AND psychological health. And while zoos have been really helpful is saving endangered animals, it doesn't work out for certain species. For example, most large carnivores like lions and tigers that are bred in captivity die when released into the wild.

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Zoos can be educational institutions, providing valuable information about animals from all over the world; they can also be conservation centers, helping to protect endangered species and promote breeding programs that increase the population of threatened animals; and zoos can be entertainment venues, offering a fun ...

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It is well known for its lush, naturalistic habitats and unique animal encounters and is home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 660 species and subspecies and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 plants.

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