The Kansas City Zoo is home to over a 1000 animals, most in free roaming displays that benefits the animals more than the visitor. This does not mean you can't see the animals, because you definitely can see them. You just have to walk farther in order to do so.
The Kansas City Zoo is undergoing a major change as starting with the beginning of 2002, the daily management and operation of the zoo is handled by The Friends of the Zoo Organization rather than the city. Already improvements in treating the public are showing up.
The Kansas City Zoo is home to a number of African Elephants. At last count I think there were 6 females as well as 2 bulls. They are working on the Species Survival Plan of these large beasts.
They are in the process of building a new house for the Orangutans and are expecting a new baby Orangutan later this year. This is very exciting both to visitors as any zoo baby is exciting to visitors and to zoologists as the father is the Number 1 ranked male and the mother the Number 2 ranked female for family line diversity.
They have a free ranging herd of kangaroos in the Australian area, a number of Chimpanzee's in the African area, Lions, Meerkats, Giraffes, many of the expected animals.
Each summer they have a special exhibit. For 2002, this exhibit will be Sting Rays.
In addition, Kansas City Zoo is home to Kansas City's only IMAX theatre. Tickets are about $6 per movie and movies run constantly during the day and even after the zoo has closed for the evening. There are generally 2 or 3 different movies being presented.
The Kansas City Zoo provides a relatively cheap family outing in a very relaxing environment