Tautphaus Park Zoo - Idaho Falls, Idaho - zoo with the largest animal collection in Idaho

With over 400 animals, the Tautphaus Park Zoo is the largest collection of animals in the state of Idaho. The zoo has 14 species that are endangered and part of national Species Survival Plans, and it has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo has a Children's Zoo with hands-on encounters, as well as a number of exhibits featuring animals from around the world.

Some of the most popular animals in the zoo are the ones found in the North American section. Many of these species are actually found right in Idaho. These animals include the American wigeon, the ruddy duck, the white-nosed coati, the American white pelican, and the North American river otter. Nearby, however, guests can see animals from Asia. This large collection includes the Amur tiger, the snow leopard, the bactrian camel, the red panda, the mandarin duck, and the rose-ringed parakeet. Also in this section, visitors can see two different gibbon species, as well as a number of cranes.

The zoo's Patagonian Realm has animals from South America. Many of the animals featured in this section of the zoo are birds, so guests who enjoy bird-watching may want to plan extra time here. Some of the birds included in the Patagonian Realm are the blue-and-yellow macaw, the picui ground dove, the roseate spoonbill, the red-crested cardinal, the Patagonian conure, the guiras cuckoo, the Chilean flamingo, and the scarlet-headed blackbird. There are also non-bird species in this part of the zoo, such as the Goeldi's monkey, the prehensile-tailed porcupine, and the boa constrictor.

The Tautphaus Park Zoo also has an African section, where guests can view the 600-pound Aldabra tortoise, a pair of African lions, and a herd of zebras. Africa is also home to servals, mona monkeys, lemurs, hornbills, antelope, cranes, penguins, and starlings. One of the smaller parts of the zoo is called Land Down Under, and it features animals such as the black swan, the emu, the New Guinea singing dog, the kookaburra, and the Bennett's wallaby.

Children who visit the zoo, however, are typically most interested in the farmyard at the Children's Zoo, which has a number of domesticated farm animals from around the world. In many cases, kids can pet or feed these animals and learn about them from zookeepers. Some of the animals in this part of the zoo include sheep, goats, llamas, rabbits, yaks, doves, and chickens. The zoo also has Animal Ambassadors - species that travel to the classroom and are only available for viewing at the zoo most of the time. Some of the zoo's Animal Ambassadors are the Chilean tarantula, the Madagascar hissing cockroach, the cornsnake, the salmon-crested cockatoo, the domestic ferret, and the chinchilla.

Guests can visit the Tautphaus Park Zoo from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Mondays and from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM during other days of the week. During April to Memorial Day and Labor Day to the beginning of October, the zoo is open limited hours, and they are closed from October through March. The last tickets are sold an hour before closing time, and prices for admission range from $2.50 to $5.00. Guests can call 208-612-8552 for more information about the zoo.