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Three giant panda superstars spend most of their day eating bamboo, oblivious to millions of adoring fans that line up for a glimpse or to watch them via a 24-hour panda cam. Two panda births have occurred at the zoo in the last four years. The paternity of cub Mei Sheng, whose birth on August 19, 2003 was broadcast over the Internet, remained unclear until DNA testing determined his daddy’s identity. This is the only North American zoo to successfully breed this endangered species.

In this recreated Arctic tundra habitat, polar bears lounge about and frolic in the chilly water of a 130,000-gallon plunge pool. Sometimes, for a special enrichment treat, zookeepers fill the enclosure with 18 tons of shaved snow for the bears to play in. Don’t miss the pool viewing area down below; the bears often swim right up to the window.

Inside a massive mesh cage, experience an exotic rainforest with sounds of cascading water and 200 chirping, cawing, and screeching African birds. Sit on a bench amid lush vegetation and try to spot a silvery-checked hornbill or gold-breasted starling.

These Western lowland gorillas romp and climb over wide areas of jungle and grassland. Parent gorillas lovingly tend to their children, while others sit quietly with chins in hand, contemplating the strange creatures on the other side of the glass.

A misty, orchid-filled rainforest is home to the endangered Indo-Chinese tiger. Marvel at these wondrous animals as they sit majestically on the rocks, waterfalls flowing behind them. In 2004, two new tigers, at the risk of destruction in their native Malaysian habitat, were rescued and introduced to Tiger River.

Meet Jabba, several thousand pounds of hippo, who lives in this re-creation of the Congo River Basin. Jabba shares his jungle home with forest buffaloes, swamp monkeys, and okapis, whose prehensile, long black tongues enable them to grab nearby leaves to eat.

The endangered African and Asian elephants consume up to 125 lbs (57 kgs) of hay and 30 gallons of water a day. Keep your camera ready, as the elephants often toss barrels or scratch their back under a special roller. Asian elephants have dome-shaped backs, while the ears of an African elephant are shaped like the African continent.

With names like Koorine and Gidgee, who can resist these cuddly guys? With the largest koala colony outside Australia, the zoo’s successful breeding program enables loans to zoos world-wide, and makes financial contributions to habitat conservation programs in Australia.

If it slithers, hisses, or rattles, it’s here. Be glad these animals, especially the king cobra, Albino python, and Gila monsters, are behind glass. Cages marked with a red dot indicate the venomous ones.

Little ones love petting the goats and sheep in the paddock (wash-up sinks are nearby), while older kids squeal with mischievous glee at the tarantulas, black-widow spiders, and hissing cockroaches. The nursery takes care of baby animals whose mothers can’t look after them.