NATCHEZ — Four cougars have been sighted in Jackson recently — along with a black bear, an elephant and a zebra.

The Jackson Zoo offers 54 acres of these and 221 other animal species that can be enjoyed on a summer day.

“It’s an experience you’re not going to have every day, to see and 8,650 pound elephant or a 350 pound Sumatran tiger,” said Christopher Mims, director of marketing and public relations for the zoo.

One of the most popular attractions is the new Wilderness Mississippi area that shows creatures native to the state, including cougars, bears, birds, snakes and otters.

“(The otters) swim around a lot and you can walk right up and look at them face to face,” Mims said.

The zoo’s African Rainforest Boardwalk and Savanna Boardwalk are also very popular according to Mims. They have pigmy hippos, which weigh about 500 pounds, chimps, rhinos, several other kinds of monkeys and many other African species.

“Among the most popular are the giraffes, elephants, orangutans and the cat species,” Mims said.

Some features at the 89-year-old zoo that could take adults back to their childhood Mims said.

“We still have the train that some of the adults who come will remember riding as children,” he said.

The zoo could easily be made into a full day trip.

“You could picnic in the park or we could feed you here at the food court,” Mims said.

The zoo is building a new $1.5 million educational exhibit for Wilderness Mississippi and a $1 million tiger exhibit, but Mims said neither would interfere with a visit to the zoo.

The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5.40 for seniors and $3 for children under 12. Group rates and rentals are also available.