Navajo Nation Zoological and Botanical Park - Exhibits and Mission

Exhibits and Mission

The zoo operates on an area spanning 7 acres (2.8 ha) and is located in the vicinity of the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock (Tségháhoodzání). It is home to about 150 animals, representing over 50 species and sees an estimated 33,000 visitors each year.

The zoo dubs itself "A Sanctuary for Nature and the Spirit", and according to its mission statement, it aims to conserve "native plants and animals, including rare, sensitive and endangered species" with an emphasis on fauna and flora that is important and significant to Navajo culture and traditions. In this spirit, it houses primarily animals native to Navajoland and implements cultural and educational programs in cooperation with schools and similar facilities in the area; furthermore, it provides care for injured and orphaned animals found in the wild. The zoo also fosters the use of plants and animals for ceremonial purposes in accordance with Navajo tradition, and regularly accepts appointments for offerings being made and ceremonies held within its facilities.

Its wild creatures include black bear, bobcat, cougar, coyote, elk, gila monsters, rattlesnakes, skunks, and red foxes, as well as cranes, golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, and great horned owls. In keeping with Navajo tradition, none of the zoo's birds were captured for the purpose of being exhibited, but were rather rescued after sustaining injuries from vehicles or electrical lines and are thus unable to fly; the majority of the other specimens are also non-releasable and unable to survive in the wild due to being orphaned or having been confiscated as illegal pets from their former owners.

Starting in 2008, the zoo's then 30-year-old Discovery Center was renovated and redesigned to bring it in line with modern zoo standards; apart from displaying the majority of the park's invertebrates, it also incorporates a display with traditional Navajo stories relating to the animals.