I have never been a big fan of zoo's but this one gave me hope.  Unlike San Antonio where everything is concrete and rock the Bronx Zoo is grass and trees.  It was quite hot when we went but all the paths are under the shade of trees so it wasn't that bad.  The cages and animal habitats were actually quite nice.  Most of the monkeys were inside a building and behind glass instead of being in a cage.  The big cats and deer like animals were in large foresty areas which I imagine were close to their natural habitat.  The design of the zoo definitely appeared to have the animals best interest in mind.  The only area I found depressing was the gorilla section.  Their habitat was very nice they just looked sad.  Other than that is was a good experience.  But if you decide to go don't forget your Visa card because everything costs money.  You pay to get in, you pay to see the gorillas, you pay to see butterflies, you pay to see big cats, you pay for every little section you go to.  The good part of that is most of the money goes to support that type of animal in whatever country they are from.  I guess that is why the Bronx Zoo is also the called the Wildlife Conservation Society.