Milwaukee County Zoo
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| Milwaukee County Zoo | ||
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| Date opened | January 16, 1892 (Washington Park Site) May 13, 1961 (Current Site)[1] |
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| Location | 10001 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226 |
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| Land area | 200 acres[2] | |
| Coordinates | 43°1′57.5724″N 88°2′14.6436″W / 43.032659°N 88.037401°W | |
| Number of animals | 1,800 (January 2009)[3] | |
| Number of species | 350 (January 2009)[4] | |
| Major exhibits | Aviary Apes of Africa/Primates of the World Aquatic and Reptile Center Small Mammal Buidling Large Mammals Northwestern Mutual Family Farm |
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| Official website | ||
The Milwaukee County Zoo is a zoo in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. The zoo houses 1,800 animals and covers an area of 200 acres (800,000 m²). It is noted for the first birth of polar bears[5] and siamangs[6] in captivity. The zoo is also home to the largest group of bonobos in one location outside their native Democratic Republic of the Congo[7] and to two of the National Zoo's world famous cheetahs.[8]
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[edit] History
[edit] The Washington Park Zoo
West Park Zoo opened in 1892, displaying small mammals and birds.[9] The following year, the zoo added two cinnamon bears and created an iron bear den.[10] In 1899, the zoo constructed a $2,137 herbivore building that housed a variety of animals.[11] In 1900, West Park Zoo became Washington Park Zoo and two years later, the zoo was expanded to 23 acres.[12][13] Even with the Great Depression of the 1930s, the zoo prospered, creating a bear den that resembled bears' natural habitat.[14] In 1931, the zoo's bear collection contained 37 specimens.[15] By 1937, the Washington Park Zoo was beginning to show its age.[16] A reptile exhibit was opened in the main zoo building in 1942.[17]. George Speidel, zoo director at this time, began planning a new zoo.[18]
[edit] The Milwaukee County Zoo
Although still located in Washington Park, the zoo changed its name to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County in 1953.[19] Fundraising took place in 1956 to offset the estimated cost of building the new zoo: $12.6 million. The Milwaukee County Zoo opened in 1958 with the primate building, monkey island, feline house, pachyderm mall, and grizzly bear den. The zoo also featured a miniature train line, the "Zoo Line", which carried visitors around the zoo to view the exhibits and construction.[20] In 1959, construction started on the dall sheep mountain and the Alaskan bear exhibit.[21] On May 13, 1961, the Milwaukee County Zoo officially opened to the public.[22] Later additions included the aviary (1962),[23] the Australian building (1963), the original animal hospital (1963),[24] the small mammal building (1965), the aquarium (1968), the reptile building (1968),[25] the children's zoo (1971),[26] and the polar bear underwater viewing exhibit (1986).[27] In 1965, four Zoomobile tour trains were donated by Allis-Chalmers.[28] In 1986, the children's zoo was renamed the Stackner Heritage Farm, and a dairy complex was constructed as part of it, to celebrate Wisconsin as America's Dairyland. The complex included a cow barn, education center, and dairy store.[29] In 1988, the Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin exhibit, the education center, and the Peck Welcome Center opened.[30] The following year, the renovated sea lion exhibit, featuring underwater viewing, opened,[31] and the aviary was renovated.[32] More recent changes include the addition of the Sterns Family Apes of Africa exhibit (1992),[33] the renovation of the aquarium and reptile building (now known as the Aquatic and Reptile Center),[34] the renovation of the small mammal building (1998), and the addition of the Wong Family Pheasantry (1998).[35] In 2002, Monkey Island was renovated to include a large deck for viewing, and was renamed Macaque Island.[36] 2003 saw a newly remodeled animal health center;[37] 2004, a new education center;[38] and 2005 and 2006, the remodeling of the Heritage Farm, feline building, and giraffe exhibit.[39][40]
[edit] Exhibits
[edit] Taylor Family Humboldt Penguins
This is an exhibit featuring Humboldt Penguins with underwater viewing.
[edit] Herb and Nada Mahler Family Aviary
The aviary contains over 60 species[41] in a walk-through building. One section is a cageless room where birds fly free.
[edit] Sterns Family Apes of Africa
This indoor building features chimpanzees and gorillas[42]. For many years, Samson, the largest gorilla in captivity, was showcased in the Apes of Africa building.
[edit] Primates of the World
Adjacent to Apes of Africa, this exhibit showcases primates from the around the world, including mandrills and orangutans.[43]
[edit] Macaque Island
Macaque Island features Japanese macaques. It was remodeled in 2002 to include a large deck for viewing and an expanded shelter.[44]
[edit] Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Gallery
This building is dedicated to special or traveling exhibits.
[edit] Aquatic and Reptile Center
This building holds invertebrates, fish, reptiles, and amphibians[45].
[edit] References
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo-About Us
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo-About Us
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo-About Us
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo-About Us
- ^ International Polar Bear Husbandry Conference Proceedings, hosted by Polar Bears International, February 4-7, 2004, San Diego, California retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo - The New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1961-1984 - 1962 retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo - Animal Division: Individual Conservation and Research Projects - Bonobos retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ Meet the Zoo's Cheetahs - National Zoo retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ 1892
- ^ 1893
- ^ 1899
- ^ 1900
- ^ 1902</
- ^ 1930
- ^ [http://milwaukeezoo.org/about/timeline/1931.php 1931[
- ^ 1937
- ^ 1942
- ^ 1947
- ^ 1953
- ^ 1958
- ^ 1959
- ^ 1961
- ^ 1962
- ^ 1963
- ^ 1968
- ^ 1971
- ^ 1986
- ^ 1965
- ^ 1987
- ^ 1988
- ^ 1990
- ^ 1991
- ^ 1992
- ^ 1995
- ^ 1998
- ^ 2002
- ^ 2003
- ^ 2004
- ^ 2005
- ^ 2006
- ^ Aviary
- ^ Apes
- ^ Primates
- ^ Macaque Island
- ^ Aquatic and Reptile Center
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens |
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