To entertain passengers while they waited for trains to refuel,
Alamogordo created the zoo that runs parallel to the main
railroad line through town. Today, Alameda Park Zoo has more
than 250 exotic and indigenous animals. Visitors can see
endangered White Sands pupfish and Markhor goats of Afghanistan.
There are exhibits of lemurs, a mountain lion and sea otter, a
butterfly garden, Mexican gray wolves, and even Buford, a
2-foot-long African tortoise. The zoo receives injured birds of
prey and heals them. Those capable of returning to the wild are
released, while others are cared for and kept on display so
visitors can see them up close. Alameda Park is one of three New
Mexico zoos and may be the smallest zoo accredited by the
Association of Zoos & Aquariums, but it offers a huge
opportunity to study wildlife in a pleasing natural environment.
New Mexico Mile Markers are copyrighted features of Explore! New
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