Guests to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo will find a variety of wildlife from Africa, Asia, Australia, Central and South America, and Florida -— more than 1,000 amazing animals on nearly 60 acres of natural outdoor habitats. Hands-on experiences and interactive exhibits offer opportunities to “get closer” — feed a giraffe, hold a lorikeet, touch a stingray, ride a pony and more.
“We are proud that Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo provides a great variety of guest experiences that put people in the picture,” said Craig Pugh, executive director and CEO. “We understand that bringing guests, especially children, eye-to-eye or nose-to-nose with animals, wherever possible, creates a sense of wonder and awe, and fosters respect for living things.”
The Zoo’s Manatee and Aquatic Center expands the traditional boundaries of a zoo, focusing efforts on critical care for injured, sick and orphaned wild manatees. The zoo operates the only non-profit hospital in the world specifically dedicated to wild manatees, having treated more than 340 individual patients since opening the facility in 1991. Several observation areas allow for up-close viewing of Florida’s treasured and endangered manatees.
For parents and educators, our onsite Florida Environmental Education Center, or “Zoo School,” provides a hands-on introduction to the natural world through interactions unique to the zoo. Lead by knowledgeable specialist guides and many teachers themselves, our science-based programs make learning at the zoo both engaging and meaningful.
For fantastic field trips, the Zoo School is your reservation agent with special rates for self-guided field trips for grades pre-K through 12. There are also a number of excellent ways to enhance the overall learning experience of a field trip:
- Wildlife presentations. Zoo animal ambassadors bring groups face-to-face with special animal encounters and educational programming.
- Educator curriculum. ZooSchool offers educators free pre-and post-field trip curriculum to enhance the overall learning experience.
- Inside Look and Zoo Adventure tours. These programs offer a personal tour guide and behind-the-scenes looks which can be added on to any field trip.
To further enhance your visit, the zoo also offers free amusement rides like the Gator Falls water flume or Expedition Africa tram tour, educational shows and keeper talks, two splash ground water play areas, and a variety of restaurants and concessions.