A grand tour of some of the world's outstanding zoos with Anthony Smith

There are more animals on show in San Diego than anywhere else-in the world. It is a rich zoo, yet half of its visitors do not pay a fee. It is in an area that used to be semi-desert, yet it is famous for its tropical vegetation.
There are only two zoos in the world outside Australia where you can see Koala Bears, and San Diego is one of them. They have to have special food: this is grown in the zoo. They are difficult to keep in captivity: the San Diego Koalas not only thrive but also breed there.
And the zoo has had equal success with many other rarities like the Pygmy Chimpanzees; the Proboscis Monkey from Borneo whose remarkable nose becomes longer with age until it reaches well below its chin; the Ruffed Lemur from Madagascar; and a pair of rare marsupials, Tasmanian Devils.
(from Bristol)