Because of a small, orphaned black bear named Billy Brian, the Denver Zoo was developed. Billy Brian was a gift to the then Denver?s Mayor who built a cage on a land where Denver Zoo now stands.

Denver Zoo is now the most popular tourist attraction in the City of Colorado and consistently ranks as one of the most popular zoos in the United States. This 80-acre landmark is home to nearly 4,000 animals representing about 700 species, including Mshindi, the only rhinoceros in the world that can paint with a brush. Mshindi was able to do paintings like that of Van Gogh which are displayed inside the Pachyderm House, one of the Zoos must-visit attractions.

True to the Zoo?s mission: ?Secure a better world for animals through human understanding?, it has built several structures that house different species of animals. It has an animal nursery or hospital which is known worldwide as the best facility that takes care not only of the Zoo?s animals but also of other zoos in the city and the nearby region. Some of its attractions include an Aviary that shelters endangered species of the Andean Condor and the Bald Eagle, the Bear Mountain that was North America?s first naturalistic habitat for grizzly bears, Asiatic black bears and the curious coati, the Bird World that houses nearly 200 species, many of which are rare and endangered, a Carousel that features 48 hand-carved animals, the Conoco Zoo Gardens with covered picnic pavilions and gazebos which can be rented as a party venue, and the Kibongi Market, a two-storey gift shop where shopping is an adventure because of the uniquely designed stores found on the Janus Gateway Center.

Visitors can also enjoy interactive encounters, take a ride on the Denver Zoo?s Pioneer Train, the first natural gas-powered zoo train, watch the Feedings and Showtimes where staffs of the Zoo demonstrate how they feed the animals and trained animals showing off their talents, lastly, after a long and tiring stroll of the Zoo, they can treat themselves at the Samburu Grille.