Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, located in Monroe, Louisiana, is an 80acre zoological park that exhibits over 500 animals.Attractions and activitiesThere is a reptile house and a total of roughly 500 animals at the zoo, including De Brazza's guenon, black-necked swan, black swan, hippo, agile gibbon, kangaroo, wallaby, peacock, Egyptian geese, parrots, and leopard.There is also a boat tour that allows visitors to see species that are not visible from the foot paths, including hoofed animals, primates, and species native to the area. The zoo holds various seasonal festivities that include the Easter Egg Extravaganza, Boo at the Zoo, and Splash into Summer.HistoryMuch of the development of the zoo came during the long-term administration of Mayor W. L. "Jack" Howard who made the facility a centerpiece of his campaign for municipal improvements, along with such projects as a new City Hall and Civic Center.In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture, which holds regulatory authority over the nation's zoos, mandated that Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo remodel the kitchen where the food for the animals is prepared and construct eight new holding pens for primates. Zoo director Joe Clawson said that he expects to tap into the $80,000 annual maintenance budget to make the needed changes in-house.As of 2017 the Zoo was in full compliance with theUnited States Department of Agriculture. In June the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo acquired a new male lion and remodeled the lion exhibit. The Zoo is also in the process of buying a new train for the visitors.
