Some things about the Saint Louis Zoo are obvious. It's a popular place for people of all ages and backgrounds to visit. It's a place to see an impressive collection of about 18,000 animals in an attractive, family-friendly environment. But there's much more about the Zoo that casual visitors may never see -- activity that reaches far beyond our gates, behind the scenes and beneath the surface.

Learning About Animals

Worlds of Discovery

We take pride in helping each and every visitor learn, explore and appreciate the creatures whose survival they must ensure and steward. Our animal pages will help you find specific, fun information about our animals like what makes a hippo float, how fast a cheetah can really run or which birds are pretty in pink.

A Safe Haven for Threatened and Endangered Species

When animals in the wild are threatened by loss of habitat, zoos can help provide a "safety net" and breeding ground for endangered populations. But providing shelter is just a small part of helping these species. With proper care and management, our curators, keepers, nutritionists and veterinarians make sure the animals have healthy food, adequate space, stimulating activities and the best health possible. See a list of the Threatened and Endangered Species (112KB PDF) that are at the Saint Louis Zoo.

A Living Laboratory

Meanwhile, our research experts conduct science and research that is used to protect and manange animals populations both in captivity and in the wild. From managing when and what animals breed to studying disease and behavior, we hope to gain an understanding of animals at the Zoo and apply this information to the conservation of the species worldwide.