Prospect Park Zoo

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Established in the late 1800s with a small menagerie of animals, this eleven-acre habitat officially became the Prospect Park Zoo when it opened to the public in 1935. Thanks to the intervention of the Wildlife Conservation Society, more-naturalistic holding areas replaced cages and pits during the 1989 renovation, which also added three major exhibitions for children: the World of Animals, spotlighting kangaroos, prairie dogs, and wallabies; Animal Lifestyles, a natural setting for hamadryas baboons; and Animals in Our Lives, which complements its anteaters, meerkats, and giant geckos with drawing supplies. With almost 400 animals of 82 species, there are creatures for visitors of all ages. The sea lion enclosures are apt to impress adults; kids may prefer feeding four-horned sheep, alpacas, and barnyard goats. — Sandra Nygaard

We’re not trying to get all PETA on you�we just think a trip to the zoo is one of the best ways to walk off whatever damage your turkey hath wrought. And it just so happens that the zoo’s own turkey, Franklin, will be animal of the moment on Thursday. No ordinary bird, Franklin also likes playing ball, so instead of ending up in your oven, he’ll end up playing with his bouncy toy for your enjoyment. Bonus: You can also watch the sea lions bask in their feast of fish. Not everyone does poultry on Thanksgiving, you know. � Barbara Aria