My First Zonkey At The Alameda Park Zoo

The Alameda Park Zoo was founded in 1898 and claims to be the oldest zoo in the Southwestern United States. The zoo was included in the original plans for the City of Alamogordo in New Mexico where it is located. It began as a deer park meant to entertain train passengers while they waited for their train to refuel.

The zoo is now home to nearly 200 animals representing 90 species. It sits on 12 or 13 acres and includes a playground, picnic area and gift shop. The zoo is also a Species Survival Plan Captive Facility for the Mexican Gray Wolf. When we visited that had two female wolves that were on loan from the United States Forestry Service. They were gorgeous and came right up to the fence.

Ring-tailed lemurs greet you upon entering the zoo which made me very happy because they are one of my favorite animals. The zoo has multiple birds of prey on exhibit including American Bald Eagles and a great horned owl that were injured and now cannot be released back into the wild.

As you follow the path around the zoo you will meet bears, foxes, bobcats and mountain lions. Watch river otters play and monkeys jump around. They have an aviary too, but while we were visiting it was closed.

Their waterfowl area is very nice and includes capybaras, turtles, koi, multiple duck species and a pair of absolutely gorgeous black swans. I might be bias on the swans though because they are one of my favorite animals as well. Make sure you bring some quarters to feed all your new feathered friends.

The newest addition to the zoo is a fabulous beast known as a zonkey. Never heard of a zonkey before well neither had I and as soon as I laid my eyes on her I was in love. A zonkey is a cross between a zebra and a donkey and the result will make your heart melt because she’s just so darn cute. Well I thought she was adorbs and a zonkey is now one of my favorite animals. (Don’t judge me because I have so many favorite animals…the list is long).

We didn’t quite know what to expect when we went to the zoo. With it being so small and cheap we didn’t have high expectations, but were pleasantly surprised. Though small in nature the animal exhibits were decently sized, well maintained and provided proper enrichment for its residents.

If you are in the area I highly recommend making a stop. It only took us like an hour to go through the whole place and we took our time. It’s the perfect way to spend a couple hours with the family and cheap entertainment. I love visiting  zoos and wildlife refuges, but most are getting so expensive. This small city zoo was just a perfect little trip.