The El Paso Zoo serves as a regional center for affordable family fun, formal and informal education, and conservation efforts for wildlife and their natural habitat. The Zoo serves nearly 300,000 visitors annually from El Paso, New Mexico, and the Borderland area. Kids can watch sea lions frolic in the "World of the Sea Lion" show every day at 10:45 & 2:45 or get so close to a tiger they can count his whiskers. See the Asian elephants in their enrichment training sessions at Noon. The Zoo's one of the largest on the Southwest's border with 12 acres of exhibits in a lush park setting, and it's growing to 36 acres! The African Savannah exhibit will open in phases starting in late 2007 and includes lions, zebras, giraffes, a train, a new restaurant and gift shop. You'll see over 1,700 animals and more than 240 species, many critically endangered; leopards, jaguars, spectacled & sun bears, reptiles, birds, fish, invertebrates in natural habitat exhibits, even a spider monkey island. The Asian Complex is home to elephants, tigers and orangutans. The Americas Aviary includes a walkway for visitors as well as a waterfall, flowers and plants. Treat yourself to ice cream at The Grasslands Café. Buy a cool t-shirt at the Elephant's Trunk Gift Shop. Plan your next Zoolightful event; birthday, wedding, company picnic, or Quinceañeras with the Zoo's "A Taste of the Wild" events planning and ask for Sandra Wakitsch: 471-1413. Check this website's calendar page for updates, special activities & children's educational events.