Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park

Not to be confused with Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert, California.
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Trail
View of a trail at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park is located in New Mexico
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Location in New Mexico
LocationEddy County, New Mexico, United States
Coordinates32°26′30″N 104°16′45″W / 32.44167°N 104.27917°W / 32.44167; -104.27917[1]
Area1,500 acres (610 ha)
Elevation3,482 ft (1,061 m)[2]
Established1967[3]
Administered byNew Mexico State Parks Division
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, formerly the Living Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park, is a zoo and botanical garden displaying plants and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert in their native habitats. It is located off U.S. Route 285 at an elevation of 3,200 feet (980 m) atop the Ocotillo Hills overlooking the north edge of Carlsbad, New Mexico, and the Pecos River.

History

The park originated in 1967 with the donation of 360 acres of land by Neil Wills and Robert Light followed by the additional donation of 760 acres by the Eddy County Commission.[3] The park was an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) between 2002 and 2023.[4][5] The park lost its accreditation in 2023.[6]

Exhibits

The zoo features more than forty native animal species, including pronghorn, badger, bison, bobcats, mule deer, elk, kit fox, Gila monster, cougar, prairie dogs, reptiles, fourteen species of snakes, and Mexican wolves. An aviary contains golden eagles, hawks, owls, a roadrunner, songbirds, and turkeys. The gardens feature a greenhouse and hundreds of cacti and succulents from around the world, including acacia, agave, small barrel cactus, cholla, ocotillo, prickly pear, saguaro, sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri), and yucca.

1.3 miles (2.1 km) of self-guided trails lead through sand dunes, arroyos, and pinyon pine/juniper forest.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park". Recreation.gov. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  2. ^ "Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park". NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park Management and Development Plan" (PDF). p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  4. ^ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park Receives Accreditation by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums" (PDF). state.nm.us. State of New Mexico. April 3, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  6. ^ "AZA Grants Prestigious Accreditation to 20 Facilities". www.aza.org. Retrieved September 28, 2025. ...the Commission denied accreditation to one facility: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, in New Mexico. As existing members, they have 30 days from the official notification to appeal the Commission's decision to the AZA Board of Directors' Executive Committee.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Desert_Zoo_and_Gardens_State_Park