You know what they say about an iceberg? That most of it is underwater and invisible?

Turns out the Palm Beach Zoo is a lot like that.

We sat down with three who work there: Stepanie Allard, the director of research and animal welfare; Andrew Aiken, CEO, and Keith Lovett, the assistant zoo director. Here’s what they wish people knew about the zoo:

1. The zoo’s main mission isn’t its public display. Its primary mission is conservation and the protection of animals, and they’re having a real effect on several species, including the Malayan tiger. There are about 50 Malayan tigers in captivity, and only 500 left in the wild. “We’re very committed to this species,” Aiken said. In 2011, there were five Malayan tiger cubs born in captivity. Three were born at the Palm Beach Zoo. Rimba, their father, has been moved to another zoo to work his magic on the females there. “He’s doing very well,” Allard says. You can see his 1-year-old sons, Jaya (meaning Glorious); Penari (Dancer) and Bunga (Flower), on your next visit.

2. It’s one of only 225 U.S. zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which means it’s passed rigorous written and verbal portions of the accreditation process. One reason Aiken, Allard and Lovett feel so strongly about conservation is that they also feel great responsibility for the status of animals in the wild. Habitats are decreasing as the planet struggles to support more and more people. Having pushed a species to edge of extinction, it’s also our job to bring it back.

3. The people at the zoo love to talk about the animals they care for. If you see a zookeeper, feel free to speak up. Encourage your kids to ask questions. Today’s zoo visitors are tomorrow’s conservationists. They’ve even developed a new program with Palm Beach County schools to have fifth-grade students go to school at the zoo for a week. Kids do all the usual academics, but also get to learn about the 1,500 animals that call the zoo home. Brevard County has a similar program, but kids there spend a whole semester at the Brevard Zoo.

4. The best time to visit: early morning before it gets too hot, and late in the day when things are winding down. On Safari Nights – every Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. through October — visitors get a sort of behind the scenes look at the zoo. “It’s all lit up and very beautiful. Everyone seems a little more relaxed. We see a lot of dads and kids at Safari Nights,” Aiken said. Don’t forget that the zoo also has an interactive play fountain where kids can cool off (bring your suits), a beautiful carousel (rides are $2), a gift shop and the Tropics Cafe, where you can grab a bite to eat.

5. Yes, it seems expensive but… In reality, the zoo loses money on every admission. They’ve calculated the affect of a visit on the zoo’s resources at $23 per person, a deficit of $8 on every adult admission. The difference is made up by private grant money. The zoo doesn’t receive funding from the county or the state. But there’s a practical way to beat the cost: a zoo membership for a family (two adults and all dependent children in the household under the age of 18) is only $125 and you can literally visit every day for a year for that amount, and you get invited to all sorts of special events, including Safari Nights, and lots of other benefits. An individual membership, which includes a guest’s admission, is only $75 for a year. For seniors age 60+, $65.