Melbourne is the second most populated city in Australia. The metropolitan area population according to the 2006 census was estimated to be about 3.74 million. Sometimes called the 'sporting and cultural capital' of Australia, Melbourne hosts many cultural and sporting events. There are a huge number of tourist attraction spots in the city, among which the one that should definitely be visited is the Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne.
The Melbourne Zoo is also referred to as the 'Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens'. The zoo consists of more than 350 animal species from Australia as well as from across the world. The Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne in Australia is located at a distance of 4 Kms from the center of Melbourne. The zoo is on the norther side of the center of Melbourne. The oldest zoo in Australia, the Melbourne Zoo was modeled on and followed the structure of the London Zoo. The zoo was opened in the year 1862 on the Royal Park site of 55 acres (22 hectares). The land where it opened was donated by the City of Melbourne.
At the initial stages the Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne played an important role in helping the domestic animals to get acclimatised and recover from their long trip to Australia. But after this more exotic animals were brought for public display when Albert Alexander Cochrane Le Souef was appointed in the year 1870. He was appointed as the director of the Melbourne Zoo. Many gardens and picnic areas were also developed at this stage.
At present the animals are organized in bioclimatic zones. For example the African rainforest consists of pigmy hippos, gorillas, parrots and mandrills and the Asian Rainforest consists of tigers and otters. Some of the other popular displays include the the great flight aviary, Butterfly house and the Trail of the Elephants. The Melbourne Zoo is administered by The Zoological Board of Victoria.
Flightshotelstours.com gives detailed information on Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne as well as on Sightseeing in Melbourne.
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