📶 Ranking ALL 20+ Zoo's I've Been to in 2023!

[@Ilikerapalil]

If you ever find yourself in the northern area of the west coast I highly recommend Oregon Zoo, they got one of the biggest and well cared for Elephant enclosures in the world, a neat train ride, good educational talk shows, and are consistently getting better with new animals and projects.

[@thatonecanadian86]

If you ever find yourself in Ontario. I highly recommend Toronto Zoo. It’s such an amazing place with a very diverse range of animals

[@togeyy1195]

Fun fact! Bronx Zoo had a 5-6 season behind-the-scenes series on Animal Planet for a few years! It also has phenomenal animal encounter sessions. They care so much for their animals, I’d actually make it the best zoo ive visited in the USA!

[@LeafProductions]

I love Jim Breheney

[@smashers6971]

Roger Williams making the top ten makes me happy, it’s probably my childhood Zoo and I still visit it to this day (I was actually there on the last day they had the polar bears before they sadly died.) I’m especially excited for the return of the penguins and the eventual introduction of Tigers.

[@reiangossling6395]

Since other people are recommending zoos, if you're ever in the Midwest I highly recommend Saint Louis and Omaha. Saint Louis has a huge collection and has undergone a lot of recent upgrades, in particular the primate house with an outdoor canopy for monkeys and lemurs. The Children's area is actually undergoing a huge renovation that will have animals like coatis and Tasmanian devils. Like San Diego, there's also a safari park opening up in a few years that will have animals like white rhinos. I haven't been in over a decade since I moved but River's Edge is the best part of the zoo in my opinion since it has the most naturalistic and immersive theming. There's also a lot of awesome animals including Asian elephants, hippos, black rhinos, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, sun bears, Andean bears, giant anteaters and capybaras. I've only been to Omaha twice but it's only gotten better since I was last there. The Desert Dome and the rainforest house are two must-see sections for how huge and immersive they are, the nocturnal house is also a one of a kind since nocturnal houses are becoming rarer in zoos. Since I was last there, they've added the Asian Highlands exhibit (which I want to see really bad at some point, it has some really cool Tibetan theming with prayer flags and animals like the takin, sloth bear, Siberian tiger and the Indian rhino) and expanded the African section to include a herd of elephants. The skylift is another must-see section since it takes you over the zoo. I was lucky enough to be given a backstage tour both times and it gave me a huge insight into the care provided for these animals and how zoos function in general.

[@justGoron]

I love this idea! Maybe I'll do a ranking of all the major German zoo I'm seeing on my Germany trip this year...

[@bam6273]

I followed you after you added the Massachusetts flag to your entrance. Then you rate Buttonwood Zoo, which is in my little New Bedford ❤ You have a new fan. Love watching you rate the zoos I personally go to

[@LeafProductions]

Love it!

[@JTScottOfficial]

If you ever happen to come to the UK, there's a few Zoos and Aquariums up by me, but my favourite zoo, like, ever, is Chester Zoo. They have a massive collection, in 112 or so acres of land, including your Tree Kangaroos. Definitely worth a week in the UK, to visit it, and other local zoo.

[@Daft_Vader]

I went to Chester a month ago and I can certainly vouch for it's greatness. Plus they've got a massive Congo house in the works for 2025

[@JTScottOfficial]

@Daft_Vader It's an African section, the entire thing looks good, there are a few things I'm sad about it though, like how they no longer have Prezwalskis Wild Horses, or Scimitar Horned Oryx, or the Monorail. I have some old maps, one from before Monsoon Forest was announced, and one from when it was being built, and one from my last trip last year. I'm gonna frame them at some point, it's just epic.

[@camarofish344]

If you ever get the chance you should come visit the Toledo Zoo! They take really great care of their animals and also have an aviary, aquarium, and a natural history museum. There’s also lots of historic WPA architecture from FDR’s new deal programs, it’s genuinely just my favorite zoo!

[@KalugaOfficial]

Leaf if you are ever in Tennessee, I recommend both the Memphis Zoo and the Nashville Zoo. Memphis Zoo especially because they have some really good themed areas and I often use it for inspiration when I need to make themed areas. They just sent their Giant Pandas back to China for a program there but they do have seals, bears, bonobos, a walkthrough kangaroo exhibit, a nocturnal house, a ray/ shark touch pond, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and soooooo much more! Nashville Zoo has only one thing over it in my opinion and that is the Spectacled Bear. I got to see it last year when I needed reference for some short-faced bear concept art I was working on.

[@Hudsonbrock]

Don’t leave out Ripley’s in the Smokey’s and Zoo Knoxville

[@michaelpriestley1304]

Nice job as always leaf! Id love to see your take on the zoos/ aquariums in the VA, NC, TN, GA area. Theres a frickin elephant sanctuary in TN and Whalesharks in GA... need I say more?

[@gabriellittle2827]

If you ever come down to Texas, you have to check out the Dallas Zoo

[@Patoyl]

29:15 Wow! I bet that particular facility has a VERY funny and VERY handsome redhead as a tour guide and puppeteer in residence!

[@LeafProductions]

I’m calling you

[@ericsmith3936]

I went to RW Zoo last week for the first time since I was a kid. Could've sworn they used to have polar bears so thanks for confirming.

[@a.b.1856]

ive gotta be honest, ive been to the miami, north carolina, norfolk, richmond, national, jax, and atlanta zoos, and north carolina is right at miami. I would say do not just drive to do that, but also carowinds and such down there. It is a massive property, the largest institutional zoo in the western hemisphere. The exhibits are maaaaasssssssive and the animals are actually very happy due to this. I would recommend going once they have the asia area done in 2025. By 2030, the zoo will basically be double the size it is now. The North carolina zoo in asheboro is just slept on

[@keeganjames2395]

Omaha Zoo man, just ranked #1!!! It’s my local zoo and it’s only gotten better. They just did a huge overhaul of a bunch of the exhibits within the last few years.

[@Lucas_1121]

I was going to go to Animal Adventures because my younger brother had them visit his school but I showed them this and now we won’t go

[@LeafProductions]

it is awful lol

[@Poseidon4862.]

It’s a smaller one but if you’re around the New York/New Jersey Area, please visit the Van Saun Zoo. I have so many memories with that place, and the animal selection is fantastic!

[@zoolover4669]

I loved the birch aquarium. It’s on the small side, but it was one of my favorite aquariums I’ve ever been to.

[@cyberesss]

Super fascinating video! Loved the recap and definitely have a couple of these on my list!

[@LeafProductions]

Glad you enjoyed miss you Cyberess!

[@cvrnivore9572]

michigan has some incredible facilities! there's not a bad one (at least from that i've visited) but the standouts are binder park zoo in battle creek and john ball zoo in grand rapids.

[@Toadey2012]

Going to the zoo while it is rainy is a genius trick. Thanks for letting us know.

[@mpantoni09]

The Bronx zoo has always been my favorite , I used to go here all the time as a kid

[@Josh2bu]

Cetaceans shouldn’t be in captivity at all imo. There’s no possible way to provide them with what they need

[@conthauberger]

Leaf. You sure had great experience within these zoos and found some perfect animals that are still missing in the game.

[@AngelicaWalters]

gotta recommend the cheyenne mountainzoo and the denver zoo in colorado! Both zoos are incredible in completely different ways. They are both usually highly rated among the San Diego Zoo, Bronx Zoo, etc... in a lot ofbest zoo lists. Highly recommend a trip to the west for them! DO NOT go to the aquarium in Denver. It's got very similar vibes to the bottom five on the list.

[@Billy_FlowersJr]

I recommend you go to the biggest zoo in the USA (The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) I’ve been going there my whole life and I love the zoo, I hope you can visit.

[@adambennett3272]

If you’re ever in NC you should go to the NC Zoo!

[@beechmode6952]

Iguanaland is great! they come to my work and put on shows!

[@kharitheblueanteater9592]

I really wanna see you talk more about animal adventures now

[@olekklein27]

How do you see.the full species.list.on zootierliste? All I know is to see what animals are kept where.

[@LeafProductions]

gotta click on the zoo name

[@olekklein27]

@@LeafProductions then what?

[@Not_appletree]

Omg we got a leaf reveal! I couldn’t agree more with this list. Animal adventures looks horrible 😢

[@jordigutierrez7214]

Can't wait to visit San Diego Zoo and Safari park have you visited Disney Animal Kingdom because i would like to visit someday

[@Duzzzzzz]

been to bronx, buttonwood, Roger Williams, mystic but its been too long. Boston aquarium is pretty good too I don't think you had that one

[@wolfgang7850]

Now, I'm torn on cetaceans in captivity. I'm not a keeper with those animals and people tend to get overly emotional with intelligent animals despite not having a grasp on how zoos really work. That being said, orcas and belugas arent threatened yet. From a practical standpoint, those resources could and should go to a more fragile species.

[@cadeschmidt2350]

Take me with you!!!! I'm a wildlife photographer trying to photograph every species of everything on the planet

[@jordigutierrez7214]

Good video Leaf you are the best

[@Funked_Up78125]

I love the Bronx zoo

[@MrBoomeranglol]

If you ever come to the UK go to Blair Drummond safari park it's such a good zoo/safari park they have a boat ride to the chimp island

[@gormottigrebel9978]

Never really been the Hugest fan of Blair Drummond, though I will say the chimp island is pretty great.

[@MrBoomeranglol]

@@gormottigrebel9978 In my opinion I love it and the chimp island is my favourite part

[@mixelmusprime5275]

Here's how I would rank all of the animal places that I went to in 2023. Wildwood (Herne Bay) ZSL London zoo Sealife (Huntstanton) Hertfordshire zoo Eagle Heights Hemsley Conservation Centre The Big Cat Sanctuary Leeds castle Wingham Wildlife park Port Lympe Horniman museum Snettsham deer park Norfolk lavender farm animal park

[@LandonClifton]

go to the georgia aquarium

[@LandonClifton]

I love zoos I have been to san diego zoo san diego safari park and bronx zoo and many more

[@ismaelrivasgarcia9609]

Have you ever been to Loro Parque? It is in Spain, in the Canary Islands and considered the best zoo in the world, I know it is a little far away for you but I think you will really like visiting it. By the way, good video

[@LeafProductions]

that would require me to go to the canary islands in the first place

[@marcelbesters538]

Pls loro parque is so bad they have orcas in such small enclosures and even forced them to do tricks (check the story of orca morgan). Its so wrong en they knew but dont care at all, same for the sea word esc place in france just a shame that you would say this, i will give you this if the orcasand dolphins are gone its pretty nice looking

[@Josh2bu]

Wouldn’t recommend it at all for animal welfare

[@The-outdoor-guy-planet]

The matime aquarium is a 20 minute drive

[@LandonClifton]

one of the biggest aquariums in the world and it's known for their whale sharks

[@syaidi1234]

It's time to travel to asia and visittt Singaore's Zoo and Night Safari :D

[@Steveofthejungle8]

Breweries and Zoos? We could be friends Leaf

[@user-ot4wm2fh8g]

I think it so odd the US allows no AZA zoos. Here in the UK every zoo has to be a member of EAZA or BIAZA

[@wolfgang7850]

We have another organization, ZAA which has looser restrictions on what you can and can't do. I've heard mixed things about ZAA facilities and generally don't trust them. That being said, that first place was below anything I've seen from them. Like, that's just some roadside zoo

[@user-ot4wm2fh8g]

@@wolfgang7850 yeah that’s the thing, the concept of a ‘roadside zoo’ just isn’t a thing here. All zoos are certified, big or small, and have to meet x standards. I don’t get how what isn’t a thing yet in the states.

[@erinhoye9384]

so you recommend everyone of them exept the first

[@maxie_moon1209]

I used to build enclosures at animal adventures if y’all have any questions about how terrible it was

[@LeafProductions]

what did ed smell like

[@Duke_of_Cali]

Yes My Hometown San Diego represented sooooo good. I used to work at SeaWorld when I was 17 lol

[@Antimony96]

Have you ever been to the Philly Zoo?

[@LeafProductions]

no but its on my list!

[@Antimony96]

@LeafProductions Sweet! In terms of exhibit quality it's honestly pretty average for AZA (the worst by far is the giraffe enclosure) but the real appeal is the history behind it, as well as a few rarities like the black and rufous elephant shrew and one-toed amphiuma. If you're lucky the Zoo360 overheads can be an absolute joy from seeing monkeys or cats overhead.

[@Dino_Boy.01]

0:54 no animal deserves to have such poor living conditions 😢

[@LandonClifton]

yeah

[@LandonClifton]

😭😭

[@Jelboo]

Many of these places look really crappy to be honest. That's why they're down the list, but still, disappointing to see the depressing spaces some zoos think are adequate for large animals.

[@baileeplaz7917]

go to the peoria zoo in peoria illinois

[@stevenhinz8851]

Have you ever been to the Toronto Zoo?

[@LeafProductions]

i am legally not allowed back in canada

[@stevenhinz8851]

Fair enough lol!

[@Hydrocove]

Hi leaf I’m requesting because I would like to have the zoo tycoon 2 orca mod but the planet zoo version please😊😊😊

[@GoatedCapuchinMonkey-kt3nb]

People have different opinions about the zoos

[@qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm6356]

~47th

[@oliyes406]

What was that? Please go to Animal Adventures? Sure thing!

[@LeafProductions]

PLS NO

[@calvinmcmillen2729]

Troll

[@whoajoshwhoa8446]

Why did you even go to Sea World if you don't support cetacean captivity?

[@LeafProductions]

did you listen to the video

[@jalalhabib]

first also love your content leaf[pls pin]

[@maxk7676]

Pls don't say you are kinda okay with Belugas and Dolphins...there is no profits for them being held in captivity 😅

[@LeafProductions]

sorry i am tho lol

[@somehippies]

@@LeafProductionscan i ask why? especially bc it’s not like a lot of great apes where they’re endangered (w dolphins) and even w them, given an orang was able to find a piece of wire, realize it cld be used as a lock pick, hide it in his gums until night, and free himself and all the surrounding orangs, it’s a big sign they shld at least have a MUCH MUCH higher QoL than what’s normalized

[@somehippies]

@@LeafProductionsnot mad or anything! i think rescues obvs yk are okay, but the vast majority they aren’t rescues iirc

[@maxk7676]

Yes the Belugas are captured mostly in Russia and are sent to the United states or China...and dolphins are selected during the slaughterings for example 😅

[@Chule_12345]

first