Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska

The Henry Doorly Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The facility is composed of more than 130-acres and first opened to the public as the Riverview Park Zoo, in 1894. With a mission to conservation, recreation, research and education, the zoo is home to more than 17,000 animals which represent 962 species.

The facility is nationally renowned for leadership in animal conservation and research. The zoo includes several notable exhibits. Such exhibits including the largest cat complex in North America, the world's largest indoor swamp and nocturnal exhibit, "Kingdoms of the World'', the Lied Jungle which is the world's largest rainforest and the "Desert Dome'', the world's largest indoor desert exhibit. The zoo has welcomed more than 25 million visitors over the past 40 years, and is the most popular tourist attraction in Nebraska.

The zoo has more than 130 acres and 17,000 animals; 962 species; 276 species of birds and 1626 specimens. The collection of animals contains 184 species of mammals; 181 species of fish, 176 species of reptiles, 103 species of invertebrates, 42 specimens of amphibians, 44 endangered species and 7 threatened species.

Exhibits also include a Butterfly/Insect Pavilion, Cat Complex, Cheetah Valley, Dairy World, Garden of the Senses, Hubbard Gorilla Valley and Orangutan Forest, Lagoon Island, Pachyderm Hill and several others. The facility also has an IMAX Theater, Simmons Wildlife Safari and Sue's Wildlife Carousel.

For younger visitors, the Henry Doorly Zoo has several educational and conservation programs for enjoyment. The facility has joined several other zoos and organizations and has launched the Amphibian Conservation Initiative. The Mutual of Omaha`s Wild Kingdom Pavilion was launched in 1987, and includes an interactive zoo map and video previews of various exhibits throughout the park. The exhibit also features a 312-seat auditorium, animal displays, as well as an interactive animal display area.

Simmons Aquarium is a 71,000 square foot sea aquarium which contains realistic displays of aquatic life from Polar Regions, temperate oceans, the Amazon and coral reefs. Visitors can view Arctic puffins in an above and below ground display featuring 20 foot high nesting cliff. The highlight of the aquarium is the shark tunnel, which winds some 70 feet and takes visitors through coral reefs, canyons and caves. Other interesting creatures found in the aquarium are a Pacific octopus, moon jellies, open ocean schools of fish, moray eels, leafy seadragons and many others.

The Henry Doorly Zoo is opened during the winter season from 9:30 am until 5 pm daily ,through Memorial Day, and during the summer season from 8:30 am until 5 pm, through Labor Day. The facility is closed on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving and New Years Day.