The Philadelphia Zoo, America’s oldest, recently unveiled Big Cat Crossing, an extension of Zoo360, its first-in-the-world animal travel and exploration system. Tunnels cross the walkways in the zoo, allowing animals to roam from various areas, crossing overhead zoo-goers for one unique experience. Big Cat Crossing allows large felines, including lions, tigers, pumas and jaguars, to cross from their normal habitats to a different enclosed area of the zoo. I’d heard from a few people who had visited the zoo since the opening of Big Cat Crossing that they hadn’t seen the felines utilizing the new walkway. On my recent visit, the stars aligned perfectly, and I caught a glimpse of an Amur tiger crossing — not even 20 feet from me! I watched as the majestic animal made its way back home. I guess it was my lucky day, because I also caught the orangutans monkeying around the Great Ape Trail, the part of Zoo360 reserved for larger primates. Always among my favorite animals to watch at the zoo, the primates were all active during my Sunday morning visit. The gorillas were lazing in the sun and playfully hamming it up for spectators, while the gibbons were flying around their habitat, the new baby holding on to his mom. It was too cute. Also part of Zoo360 is the Treetop Trail around Impala Plaza, allowing the animals from the Rare Animal Conservation Center, including red-capped mangabeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, white-faced sakis, blue-eyed lemurs and mongoose lemurs to explore outside their homes. On a beautiful Sunday morning in May, The Philadelphia Zoo was the perfect spot for whiling away the morning. Zoo360 makes it feel like a brand-new experience. The zoo is a definite must-see on any trip to Philadelphia. — Kim Krol, managing editor