ZooAmerica - Hershey, Pennsylvania - small private wildlife area and amusement park

ZooAmerica is a small wildlife area located next to Hershey Park, an amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. ZooAmerica began life as a private animal collection owned by Franz and Louise Zinner. The couple owned a dozen prairie dogs and a bear cub, which they knew they could not keep in their yard. In 1905, the Zinners met with confectioner Milton Hershey to work out an agreement with him to house the animals as part of the new park he was building for the town. Over the early years, the Hershey Zoo grew through private acquisitions. By 1910, the zoo's collection included goats, bears, zebus, pheasants, peacocks, deer and several different kinds of monkeys. During that decade, the zoo added individual houses for monkeys, birds, reptiles, antelopes and fish.

The Zoo has closed for several periods during its history. In 1942, Hershey Zoo closed for the duration of the war because of a shortage of zookeepers. The zoo closed again in 1971 when Hershey Park decided to move to a single price admission scheme for its amusement park and rides. ZooAmerica opened in 1978 as a natural habitat featuring animals native to North America.

The animal exhibits are arranged by region, with biomes devoted to the Southern Swamps, the Northlands, the Great Southwest, the Eastern Woodlands and Big Sky Country. The animals at the zoo are all native to North America, but that doesn't mean that the zoo is boring or uninventive. May of the animals cannot be easily seen in the wild and are extremely rare. Visitors to the zoo can spend time with alligators, crocodiles, black bears, barn owls, blue spiny lizards, and coatis. They also have a featured animal every month, and visitors can learn more about this animal during this month.

In addition to the exhibits, Hershey Park cooperates with local schools to create educational programs for children and offers daily "animal encounters'' for visitors. Area children can also take part in Summer Zoo Camp and other activities. They offer after-hours tours and programs for people who want a special zoo experience. During the day, guests can also see special shows at the zoo and talk to zookeepers about some of the animals found in their exhibits.

The zoo also participates in a number of conservation programs. Guests can get involved through education on conservation, and the park includes programs on American kestrels, Peregrine falcons, and thick-billed parrots. Some of these animals are also bred by the park to help contribute to dying numbers in the wild.

ZooAmerica is open year round except for Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Day. Visitors to Hershey Park are admitted to ZooAmerica free on the date of their Hershey Park visit. Separate admission is $9.00 for adults and $7.50 for children. Visitors can buy tickets at the park or online. Discounts are available for groups, for members of ZooAmerica, and for Hershey Park Season Pass Holders. For full information about admissions and hours call ZooAmerica at 717-534-3900 or contact Hershey Park directly.