Zoosiana

About Zoosiana

Zoosiana is a privately owned zoo at 5601 Hwy 90 E in Broussard, Louisiana, in the Lafayette area. Its website says that since 1992 it has provided children and families from in and around the Acadiana area with an experience built around learning about wildlife. The zoo lists more than 1,000 animals representing over 125 species and notes century-old live oak trees on the grounds. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

According to the zoo's conservation page, Zoosiana does not receive any city, state or federal funding, and the support of guests and members allows it to give financial support to conservation organizations around the world. The same page names Matt Oldenburg as the zoo's owner and director.

Exhibits and habitats

The animals page highlights nine featured animals: lion, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, tiger, lemur, clouded leopard, crowned crane and gibbon. The home page also names cheetahs and pygmy hippos as featured species and welcomes a giraffe calf named Cabrini. A petting zoo is among the attractions.

Other attractions listed on the zoo's website are the Safari Express Train, the Storybook Carousel, the Gem Mine, play areas, a gift shop and a snack area. The zoo also lists a climate-controlled building called the Zootorium that is used for group events.

Conservation and programs

Zoosiana's conservation initiative is called ZoosianaCARES, which the zoo says stands for Conservation Awareness through Respect, Education, and Support. The conservation page says the program supports these organizations:

• Giraffe Conservation Foundation, for reticulated giraffe conservation in Kenya.
• Cheetah Conservation Botswana, for its Livestock Guarding Dog Program.
• Lemur Conservation Foundation, for habitat protection and reforestation in Madagascar benefiting ring-tailed and red-ruffed lemurs.
• UNGKA, the Gibbons of Peninsular Malaysia Project, for gibbon distribution and conservation status assessment in Peninsular Malaysia.
• Project Neofelis, for clouded leopard population surveys.
• Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, for habitat restoration near grey crowned crane habitats.
• Macaw Recovery Network, for habitat restoration in Costa Rica.

Domestically, the zoo says it partners with other accredited facilities and enrolls in Animal Management Programs through the Zoological Association of America, which pair animals for breeding and manage the genetic diversity of populations in human care. The conservation page says the zoo's clouded leopard program has reared cubs, that it has bred East African crowned cranes, that it has long kept white-handed lar gibbons on island habitats, and that it cares for five species of macaws.

The zoo's other offerings include animal experiences and encounters, field trip packages, birthday parties, facility rentals and annual memberships. Seasonal events named on the website are EggstravaganZoo, Boo at the Zoo and World Giraffe Day. Starlight Safari is an evening program for Scout and similar groups that includes day-of admission, reserved access to the Zootorium from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and a guided tour of select areas from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Groups must reserve at least 14 days ahead, bring at least one adult chaperone for every 10 children, and stay under 150 people, according to the zoo's page. Optional add-ons include a 30-minute behind-the-scenes tour that visits the animal kitchen and gives a look at the on-site vet clinic, a train ride and parakeet feeding in the aviary.

Planning your visit

Hours, admission and park rules are on the zoo's Hours and Admission and Park Rules pages. The zoo lists accessibility accommodations on its Accessibility page. Phone: (337) 837-4325, as listed on the zoo's website.