The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens has been connecting urban Angelenos to the wild natural world for 50 years. The zoo is now in the midst of its yearlong anniversary ZooLAbration, which is packed with special events and activities, and it’s added a few adorable new residents to its collection of more than 1,100 animals.
Want to get up close and personal with a wild one? During ZooLAbration, visitors can go behind the scenes with a family of hippos and hand-feed a herd of giraffes. There’s even a new rare Sumatran tiger (a critically endangered species) prowling the grounds, though we don’t recommend trying to hand-feed her.
Visitors also have the opportunity to glimpse a few of the zoo’s newest baby animals—some of which are critically endangered species as well.
The first bongo to be born at the L.A. Zoo in more than 20 years, this big-eared little guy will eventually be an 800-pound antelope with a pair of horns spiraling almost three feet from the top of his head. With fewer than 100 bongos left in the wild, the survival of the species may now depend on breeding them in captivity. Bongo enclosure
Don’t let those big, innocent eyes fool you; this hatchling packs a neurotoxic venom that makes him one of the deadliest snakes in the world. He and his twin sibling were transferred from Atlanta, marking the first time this well-known breed of snake has ever been on display at the L.A. Zoo. Desert LAIR building
At just a day old, this prematurely born pup was rescued and nursed by an expert team. Once she became accustomed to humans, it made sense for her to take permanent residence at the zoo rather than return to the ocean. She has quickly developed a reputation for playfully interacting with her many visitors. Sea Life Cliffs exhibit
533 Zoo Dr (323-644-4200, lazoo.org). Daily 10am–5pm; $15–$20.
Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.