Zootourism.com review: Tautphaus Park Zoo 2725 Carnival Way Idaho Falls, ID 83405 United States 208-612-8552 http://www.idahofallszoo.orgIt may not be as big as Zoo Boise, but the Idaho Falls Zoo (a.k.a. the Tautphaus Park Zoo) holds a different distinction as the most diverse zoo in the state. It’s a fairly small zoo – a walk around the grounds takes less than 30 minutes if you’re strolling – but it’s got a surprising wealth of biodiversity. It’s got snow leopards, Siberian tigers, penguins, and a giant tortoise, all bunched up in a tiny corner of semi-rural Idaho. Upon entry, the pelicans and penguins are some of the first to be seen (both have daily feedings for the public to watch). Scattered small cages contain lemurs and macaws. Rounding the corner, a small petting zoo sits on the path to the Asian and African domains, served by Bactrian camels, lions, and zebras. A quick stop by Australia brings the visitor confusingly back to South America, with a Patagonian section anchored by a series of birds and a stray guanaco. Finally, a quick stretch through the primates and one is suddenly back at the entrance. Everywhere, there are birds representative of the various areas, and a handful of small animals for the areas as well – cavies, ducks, coatis – the zoo has some high-end creatures, but it fills in the gaps with the less celebrated but equally glorious little ones. Still adding to their horde, the zoo recently added a rare red panda to their ranks, and has found itself in the throes of a birthing extravaganza – in the week of our visit alone, the zoo had added four different babies to its ranks. Small town, small zoo, but a big opportunity to widen some horizons here. | |
