Hands-on animal activities, a manatee hospital and children’s rides are among the top attractions at this popular animal park.

Lowry Park Zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals, many of them endangered in the wild. They are housed in 56 acres (23 hectares) of habitat that recreate their natural environments. There are eight habitats in all.

Safari Africa, with its herds of elephants, white rhinos and big cats, and the orangutans, lemurs and chimpanzees of Primate World are among the most popular attractions.

Lowry Park Zoo has lots of hands-on animal experiences. Feed a giraffe, walk with wallabies, ride a llama, touch a stingray and let a lorikeet land on your arm.

Make a point of visiting the Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center and enjoy above- and below-water views of these large marine mammals. See the hospital where zoo keepers care for sick, injured and orphaned manatees. The facilities include three treatment pools, an operating room, and animal X-ray and life support systems.

The free-flight aviaries are also worth seeing. Walk by waterfalls and a river in a subtropical rain forest environment as dozens of birds soar above your head. They include the exotically named purple swamp hens, blue-throated macaws and buff-banded rails.

Learn more about the zoo’s residents and their behaviors at one of the keeper talks. There are several every day. Check the zoo’s official website for the timetable, location and topic of the talks.

The water play areas and rides are popular with children. All rides are included in the price of admission.

Lowry Park Zoo is approximately 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) north of downtown Tampa. Parking is free. The zoo is also easily accessible by HART buses.

The zoo is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.