Going to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is – and has been for generations – a Pittsburgh tradition. Even in the 21st century, local schools shuttle students on school buses for a day of exploring the sprawling zoo, giving kids the chance to see their favorite animals in person. But, did you know that there’s another zoo, just a few hours away, that’s home to some exotic animals some of us may never have seen before? Take a look.

Explore the Erie Zoo, just two hours from downtown Pittsburgh, that’s home to more than 400 animals, including such exotic animals as….

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The southern white rhino, the zebu, and the African wild dog.

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And, make sure you check out the big cats, too, including the sand cat, the caracal, the serval, and the jaguar.

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Of course, you’ll also see such old favorites as the red panda, the eastern gray kangaroo, and Grant’s zebra.

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Snap photos of the adorable two-toed sloth, the meerkats as they stand on their hind legs, and the pot-bellied pig, too.

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And, watch the animals as they create masterpieces with paint. The Erie Zoo also holds special events and hosts summer camps for kids.

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Plan to spend between 1.5 and two hours if you want to see everything at the zoo. And, make time for a ride around the old-fashioned carousel and on the Safariland Train.

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Meet the residents of the Erie Zoo, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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The Erie Zoo is located at 2701, 423 W. 38th St., Erie, PA 16508.

Trip Advisor/ctp1513 Click here for the official website of the Erie Zoo. Or, go here for Facebook.

Have you visited the Erie Zoo and seen the exotic animals? How does it compare to the Pittsburgh Zoo? Let us know in the comments! And, if you love animals, you’ll want to add these six once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters near Pittsburgh to your bucket list. Click here to read more.

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Click here for the official website of the Erie Zoo. Or, go here for Facebook.

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Address: 423 W. 38th St., Erie, PA 16508