| Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park | |
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 View of a trail at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park | |
  Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park Location in New Mexico | |
| Location | Eddy County, New Mexico, United States |
| Coordinates | 32°26′30″N104°16′45″W / 32.44167°N 104.27917°W /32.44167; -104.27917[1] |
| Area | 1,500 acres (610 ha) |
| Elevation | 3,482 ft (1,061 m)[2] |
| Established | 1967[3] |
| Administered by | New Mexico State Parks Division |
| Website | Official website |
TheLiving Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, formerly theLiving Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park, is azoo andbotanical garden displaying plants and animals of theChihuahuan Desert in their native habitats. It is located offU.S. Route 285 at an elevation of 3,200 feet (980 m) atop theOcotillo Hills overlooking the north edge ofCarlsbad, New Mexico, and thePecos River.
The park originated in 1967 with the donation of 360 acres of land by Neil Wills and Robert Light followed by the additional donation of 760 acres by the Eddy County Commission.[3]The park was an accredited member of theAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) between 2002 and 2023.[4][5] The park lost its accreditation in 2023.[6]
The zoo features more than forty native animal species, includingpronghorn,badger,bison,bobcats,mule deer,elk,kit fox,Gila monster,cougar,prairie dogs,reptiles, fourteen species ofsnakes, andMexican wolves. An aviary containsgolden eagles,hawks,owls, aroadrunner,songbirds, andturkeys. The gardens feature a greenhouse and hundreds of cacti and succulents from around the world, includingacacia,agave, small barrel cactus,cholla,ocotillo,prickly pear,saguaro, sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri), andyucca.
1.3 miles (2.1 km) of self-guided trails lead through sand dunes,arroyos, andpinyon pine/juniper forest.[5]
...the Commission denied accreditation to one facility: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, in New Mexico. As existing members, they have 30 days from the official notification to appeal the Commission's decision to the AZA Board of Directors' Executive Committee.
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