Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park

Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park and its collection

Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park, opened in 1963, is a zoo in Window Rock, United States.

This is the sole tribally owned zoo in the United States, and its signs are written in Navajo. The collection has grown to roughly 50 species, nearly all of them local.

History

A bear abandoned after the Navajo Nation Fair of 1963 was the first animal held, and it was given the name Yogi the Bear. From its beginnings in the early 1960s the zoo answered to Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation, until September 2006, when responsibility moved to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Funding and a permit for an eagle sanctuary have been sought since 2008, the aim being to supply feathers to tribal members for ceremonial use as federal law allows.

Exhibits

Any animal can be sponsored for a fee, which brings a certificate and a name on the exhibit plaque. Since 2008 the park has sought money and a permit for an eagle sanctuary, so that feathers could go to tribal members for ceremonies under federal law.

What the venue says

• Signage features both English and the Diné language, highlighting the cultural significance of each animal.
• self-guided walk along the outdoor trails
• There are no major commercial restaurants or concession stands operating inside the zoo itself, though picnic areas are available on the grounds.
• Parking is available on-site near the zoo and museum complex free of charge.
• The facility features outdoor walking paths set against natural terrain.
• While it offers a generally manageable environment, visitors with mobility concerns should expect some natural outdoor gravel or uneven earthen trail elements typical of desert park settings.