OMAHA — After coming close a year ago, Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium finally nabbed first place in a national readers' choice contest.
USA Today named the Omaha zoo as the nation's best in its annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the zoo announced in a news release Friday. Last year, the zoo finished in second place.
The 10Best description noted the Omaha zoo's one-of-a-kind exhibits: "including the world’s largest indoor desert where arid plants and animals — meerkats, peccaries, quail, death adders, rattlesnakes and inland taipans, the world’s most venomous land snake — are visible inside a geodesic dome year-round in the heart of the Midwest."
According to USA Today, the contest relied on a panel of travel experts and industry professionals to pick nominees that perform well in animal care and enrichment and also facilitate "meaningful interactions between animals and human visitors." Members of the public were able to vote for their favorite between Feb. 6 and March 6.
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Additionally, the Omaha zoo’s Asian Highlands exhibit was named the best zoo exhibit for the fourth straight year, while its Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park near Ashland was named the best safari park for the third straight year.
“We are beyond proud that Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has reached the No. 1 position in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards,” Zoo President and CEO Luis Padilla said in the release. “We launched a grassroots effort asking our Zoo community to show their pride by voting. We are overwhelmed by the response and accolades.”
To thank the community, the zoo will have daily promotions running through Saturday. They are:
* Sunday — Facebook and Instagram giveaways to win 10 tickets to Jurassic Adventure Preview Night at Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park (one winner per platform).
* Monday — One free small popcorn. Coupons will be given at the main admissions gate while supplies last.
* Tuesday — Free zoo admission for all children under 12.
* Wednesday — $1 admission to Stingray Beach.
* Thursday — 10% off purchases at zoo and aquarium gift shops. No other discounts apply.
* Friday — Asian Highlands training demonstrations and special enrichment at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. weather permitting. Detailed schedules can be found on the zoo’s social media accounts.
* Saturday — Opening Day at Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, weather permitting. Free admission for all children under 12 to the safari park.
The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The zoo’s hours will be extended from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning April 1. Upon opening for the season, the safari park will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Superintendent Gary Pettit and Wildlife Safari Park celebrating 25 years this year
Top Journal Star photos for March 2023
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Millard West's Maddie Wallor hits Lincoln High's Briauna Robinson in the face while she scores a basket during a Class A girls state basketball tournament first-round game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena
Omaha Skutt's Molly Ladwig scores a layup over Waverly defenders in the first half during a Class B state girls basketball tournament first-round game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
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the Sidney bench jumps for joy after defeating Beatrice during a Class B state girls basketball tournament first-round game on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln High's Briauna Robinson (center) celebrates with the Links' student section after defeating Millard North in a Class A girls state tournament semifinal Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Oakland-Craig player huddle up for a pregame prayer before taking on Pender in the Class C-2 state girls basketball tournament championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Elkhorn North's Britt Prince (2) walks onto court before facing Norris in a Class B girls state tournament first-round game Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Elkhorn North celebrates after defeating Omaha Skutt in the Class B girls championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Thomas James adjust the Native American regalia of his grandson, Bird James, in the hallway before players take the court during a Class D-2 state tournament game Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center
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Ashland-Greenwood head coach Jacob Mohs (right) smiles after leading the Bluejays to back-to-back state titles as Ty Carey (left) smiles after defeating Auburn in a Class C-1 state tournament championship game on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Using an in camera double exposure, A cheerleader's pom-pom is used to frame Millard North's Neal Mosser as he blocks a layup attempt by Elkhorn South's Evan Werner in the first half during a Class A state tournament game Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena
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SEM's Colt Schroeder (right) attempts to score three-points over Wynot's Dylan Heine (first right) in the second half during a Class D-2 state semifinal tournament game Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Devaney Sports Center.
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Omaha Skutt's Jack Healey celebrates after making a game-ending block against Crete in the final seconds of the game, during a Class B state semifinal tournament game, Friday, March 10, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Crete's Benjamin Ehlers (center) dives into the crowd after defeating Elkhorn during a Class B state tournament game Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
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Ashland-Greenwood's Cougar Konzem (right) blocks a shot from Auburn's Skyler Roybal during a Class C-1 state tournament championship game on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Bellevue West celebrates their 64-41 win over Millard North's at the ceneter of the court following the Class A state championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
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Pius X senior and North Texas soccer commit Bree Korta poses for a portrait using multiple exposures to highlight one journey of her life at Pius with the "bolt" hand symbol to the start of her next journey at North Texas with the "eagle claw", taken at Pius X on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
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Young Freeman fans cheer on their team during the Class C-2 state championship on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
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