Yeah I know this has been talked about before but this is just a test poll and I haven't found a poll for the whole US so I thought I'd just make one. If you guys want me to I'll make ones for other countries but I doubt that will happen. ~Thylo
I was thinking of adding the Georgia Aquarium on there but I didn't have enough room (same with Dallas World Aquarium). I too extend the word 'zoo' to include aquariums. My original vote was for Cincinnati because of its rare collection, great breeding record, and its claim of being the 'Greenest Zoo in America' but it doesn't really have great exhibits while the Bronx Zoo I know has a pretty rare collection (maybe not as rare but still rare), pretty good breeding record (especially for Tigers), and has really great exhibits. I'm not too sure about how green it is but it does some amazing conservation work on the behalve of the WCS so I would like to change my vote to the Bronx Zoo. ~Thylo
I was going to vote, but I do not think I can pick one all time favorite. (At least not in the USA - if we were to say in the world, then it would be easy - Le Parc Des Felins). I can pick several that are among my favorites (none of which are on the list), but I do not think I could narrow it down to one.
I'n not sure why the san diego zoo is so highly rated unless you love hiking on hard cement up hills with pollution and noise from buses, huge crowds, and then look at SOME of the animal enclosures where you can barely see most of the animals due to how large and badly designed the enclosures are just like the bronx zoo. Way too much walking in between exhibits. I guess if you're into that type of thing. I like to actually get close to the animal. I think they're missing the fact that the animal is being kept in captivity for our enjoyment and there's nothing wrong with that. I think many local neighborhood zoos are better than the big ones listed in your poll. Smaller enclosures well designed so you can actually see and get close to the animal(I'm not talking road side hell hole size cage, but not a massive enclosure either), less crowds, less expensive, no polluting buses, and softer ground to walk on at some zoos. Southwick zoo is way better the bronx zoo or san diego, but wasn't listed in the poll. I chose Cincinnati zoo in the poll.(didn't see the option for "other")
I am very happy that you put the National Zoo on this list. It is not the best in the US, but it is defenitly in the top 10, and few people recognize that.
If you look at the poll, National Zoo has exactly zero votes. I think many US forum members, myself included, would NOT consider it in the top ten.