Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Palm Desert, California, United States

---

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California, was founded in 1970 by trustees of the Palm Springs Desert Museum, including Philip L. Boyd, with the goal of preserving and educating the public about desert plants and animals.

Originally established as a 360-acre wilderness preserve in the Colorado Desert, it has since expanded to encompass 1,200 acres, with about 80 acres developed as a zoo and botanical garden. The facility houses over 500 animals from around 150 species, many of which are native to desert regions worldwide, alongside lush gardens representing ten different desert ecosystems.

Over the decades, it has grown into a vibrant center for conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, and research, with exhibits such as the African Rhino Savanna and Cahuilla Indian Ethnobotanical Garden, making it a popular destination for more than half a million visitors annually.

The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and participates in breeding and reintroduction programs for endangered species, reflecting its commitment to desert ecosystem preservation and education.