Zoo in good company among top 10

5/8/2004

The Toledo Zoo was in good company when it was rated among the top 10 zoos in the country by a national periodical geared toward parents with young children.

The Toledo Zoo was ranked eighth by Child magazine after a panel of experts rated surveys completed by more than 150 zoos. The magazine's top-rated zoo was Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden was ranked six, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was given the 10th spot.

Also listed in the top 10 were the San Diego Zoo (second); Oklahoma City Zoological Park and Botanical Garden (third); Brookfield Zoo near Chicago (fourth); Phoenix Zoo (fifth); Bronx Zoo (seventh); and the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo (ninth).

The Toledo Zoo houses 4,723 animals on 74 acres.

Karen Cicero, senior editor of Child Magazine, said the survey asked 64 questions that gauged items such as safety and the availability of educational programs.

The list of zoos will appear in the magazine's June/July issue. This is the first time the magazine has rated zoos, Ms. Cicero said.