urban jungle

You can see native and exotic animals in and around the city limits.

By CHARLIE JOHNSTON | March/April 2008

Let’s face it, not everyone has the time or patience to explore the Nevada outback in search of the Silver State’s interesting, but often elusive, fauna. In Las Vegas and Reno you can see critters a little closer to home. Places such as Reno’s Sierra Safari Zoo and the Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park in Las Vegas give urbanites a chance to enjoy wildlife without having to stray too far from traffic lights or Starbucks.

Animal lovers feeling a need for speed can get their fix at Animal Ark, 25 miles northwest of Reno, during the annual fall Cheetah Challenge. The facility is home to three cheetahs that are run regularly to keep them fit. Other animals, including an arctic fox, white Bengal tiger, and peregrine falcon, reside at the ark. Admission is $7 for adults and teenagers, $5 for seniors and children 12 and younger, and free for children younger than three. Animal Ark is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from April 1 to October 31. Through the end of September, check out the free-flying bird show put on by the company, Birds in Flight. The show takes place Saturday and Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. animalark.org, 775-970-3111

Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Shark Reef is North America’s only predator-based aquarium. With more than 2,000 animals in 1.6 million gallons of seawater, the shark reef is home to unique sea life from around the globe, including sawfish, endangered green sea turtles, piranhas, and rare golden crocodiles. New to the Shark Reef is a rare Komodo Dragon. Admission is $15.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 12 and younger, and free for children four and younger. The reef is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. mandalaybay.com, 702-632-4555
 
MGM has a long history with one of Africa’s most recognizable and noble icons, and the Las Vegas resort’s 8.5-acre off-site ranch is a tribute to that mighty beast. The MGM Grand Lion Habitat, 12 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, is home to 26 lions, three tigers, and two snow leopards. The free-admission habitat is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. mgmgrand.com, 702-891-7777

Sierra Safari Zoo in Reno is the largest zoo in the state. With more than 200 animals, the volunteer-run zoo gives Renoites and their families the chance to view and learn about exotic animals from around the world. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 12 and younger, and free for children younger than three. The zoo is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but is closed during the winter months. sierrasafarizoo.org, 775-677-1101

Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage is another wild escape in Las Vegas’ urban jungle. The 2.5-million-gallon dolphin sanctuary consists of four connected pools with an artificial coral reef system and sandy bottom to replicate the animals’ natural environment. White tigers and white lions can also be spotted roaming around their respective habitats in the Secret Garden. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and younger, and free for children three and younger. The garden and habitat are open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day and 11 a.m. (10 a.m. on weekends) to 5:30 p.m. the rest of the year. miragehabitat.com, 702-791-7889

The Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park is Las Vegas’ only zoo and the only one in the state that is open year-round. In addition to Nevada animals, the zoo is home to some of the rarest exotic animals on earth, including a Chinese alligator (fewer than 200 are left in the wild), the only female Persian leopard in the U.S., and the last family of Barbary apes in the country. The zoo features animals from as far afield as Australia (emus and wallabies), Borneo (an arboreal mammal called a binturong), and Madagascar (fossas, predatory mammals that closely resemble mongooses). Admission for adults is $7, seniors and children 12 and younger are $5, and children two and younger are free. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. lasvegaszoo.org, 702-647-4685

The Springs Preserve, minutes off the Las Vegas Strip, is Southern Nevada’s salute to all things Mojave Desert, including the unique and resilient animals that call one of the hottest places in the world home. From the bat cave to the lizard habitat, the preserve showcases desert wildlife in its natural setting. Tickets include access to all parts of the preserve and are $18.95 for adults, $17.05 for seniors and students, $10.95 for children 17 and younger, and free for children younger than five. Nevada residents receive a discount. The park is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. springspreserve.org, 702-822-7700

WORTH A CLICK

Safe Haven Rescue Zoo in Imlay, west of Winnemucca off I-80, is an up-and-coming wildlife-viewing facility. The zoo is home to rescued animals including confiscated illegal pets such as Tigger, a 15-year-old Siberian tiger that was taken to Safe Haven shortly before Christmas 2007 from a private breeding facility in Nebraska. Although the zoo is not set up for regular visitors yet, private tours can be arranged, and animal enthusiasts can get closer to the critters as volunteers. safehavenwildlife.com, 775-538-7095