ZooMAT
The most important zoological garden and wildlife preservation center, high in the beautiful southern slopes of Tuxtla, it's an essential visit in the capital and for the entire region.
ZooMAT is the Miguel Álvarez del Toro Zoo within the El Zapotal nature reserve in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas. The zoo is dedicated to conservation, preservation, and exhibition of the rich wildlife of the state but people come just walk among the incredible specimens, creatures, critters, birds, bugs and fish. The already incredibly bio-diverse region is no where presented with more color, fanfarem and fun.
The zoo is named for Miguel Álvarez del Toro, a prominent Mexican biologist, naturalist, and conservationist. He's likely best known for the work he did protecting and studying Chiapas wildlife. He spent his life researching, documenting, and working to conserve the area's important biodiversity, especially in and around the Lacandon Jungle. Álvarez del Toro actually designed the original zoo built here, and oversaw many of the details that make it such a special place to visit.
Today the ZooMAT is an opportunity to connect with nature and learn about regional wildlife. The zoo promotes environmental education and respect for the ecosystem all over the state. But people come to admire the rare jaguars, tapirs, spider monkeys, macaws, and other species that represent the invaluable natural heritage of Chiapas. The unique facility welcomes people from all over the world. Trails leads some 2.5 kilometers into the surrounding jungle where visitors can see wild boar, grisón, quetzal, red deer, badgers, ocofaisan, turkey, felines, peacocks, otters, and coyote among others. There are also several aviaries with toucans, macaws, parrots, and other birds and a herpetarium for live reptiles. There are spaces for spiders and insects and a special Night House for nocturnal species like bats and armadillos. The Crocodile Museum is something of a distance from the space for wading birds.
The El Zapotal nature reserve spreads out from the southern slopes of Tuxtla, just above the Parque Patricia in the Pozas de Cerro Hueco neighborhood. In a taxi, the trip from the center of Tuxtla is just about ten minutes, and everyone knows and loves the zoo. The reserve is also home to the Science and Technology museum and the important Alberca de Cerro Hueco swimming pool and recreation center.
