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Alexandria Zoological Park

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Coordinates: 31°17′16″N 92°27′27″W / 31.287642°N 92.457365°W / 31.287642; -92.457365
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This article is about the zoo in Alexandria, Louisiana. For the zoo in Alexandria, Egypt, see Alexandria Zoo.

Alexandria Zoological Park
Entrance sign to the zoo
Map
31°17′16″N 92°27′27″W / 31.287642°N 92.457365°W / 31.287642; -92.457365
Date opened1926[1]
LocationAlexandria, Louisiana
Land area33 acres (13 ha)[1]
No. of animals500[1]
Websitewww.thealexandriazoo.com
Map

The Alexandria Zoological Park is a 33-acre (13 ha) zoo located in Alexandria, Louisiana, United States. First opened to the public in 1926, it is owned by the City of Alexandria and operated by the Division of Public Works. It is home to about 500 animals.[2]

The zoo was started in 1926 in Bringhurst Park as a row of cages. When the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) threatened to close the zoo in the 1960s, the city created the committee that is now Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ), the support organization for the zoo.

History

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The Alexandria Zoological Park was established in 1926 in Bringhurst Park. Photos from the early 1930s show cages constructed of chain link fence and iron bars, with very little vegetation planted near the exhibits. The only exhibits to survive from this era are the original fish pools, which are now used for wild fowl habitat. Additional cages, including a sea lion pool, were added in the 1940s.[3]

Although public comment indicates that the zoo once housed a chimpanzee and buffalo, the zoo was mostly started with discarded pets such as rabbits, goats, and deer.[3] There is very little documentation for these early years, but the zoo seems to have changed very little until the late 1960s or early 1970s when the United States Department of Agriculture threatened to close it. This prompted City Commissioner O'Hearn Mathews to appoint the first zoo committee, which evolved into the Friends of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ), the current support organization for the zoo.[3]

Much of the credit for the current quality of the zoo has been given to Robert Leslie Whitt (1951–2008), who served as director for 34 years prior to his death. Whitt was hired in 1974 by then Streets and Parks Commissioner Malcolm P. Hebert.

In 2020, Hurricane Laura caused significant damage to the zoo, including damaging more than 20 animal habitats, fences, roofs, and walkways. More than 70 trees were downed during the storm and the cougar habitat was destroyed; however, no animals were injured during the storm.[4] The zoo remained closed until March 12, 2021, as repairs and improvements were made.[5]

In 2024, the zoo lost its membership to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.[6]

Exhibits and other facilities

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Greenery at Alexandria Zoo

In addition to its regular exhibits, the zoo has four themed habitat areas.[7]

The zoo opened a small part of the African Experience in September 2003. The large naturalistic habitat for African lions includes large rock formations and a waterfall. This initial part of the exhibit also includes dwarf crocodiles and crested porcupines. Two new exhibits in this area opened in April 2004. One is home to the zoo's Aldabra and Galapagos tortoises, and the other is a "Venom Center" or African snake house.[8] As of 2022, the African Experience continues to be expanded to include an African grasslands enclosure in existing, undeveloped zoo property that will house zebras, giraffes, pygmy hippos, and African birds.[9][10]

Louisiana Habitat was opened in 1998,[1] and features the plants, animals, architecture, industry and culture of Louisiana. Native species such as alligator, roseate spoonbill, North American river otter, cougar, black bear, bobcat, raccoon, red wolf, white-tailed deer and many others live in naturalistic exhibits depicting the marshes, swamps, and uplands of the state. Turtles, fish, otters, and alligators can be seen from an underwater viewing area. This exhibit received a "best public facility" award in 1998 from the Louisiana Contractors magazine, and a "Significant Achievement" award in 2002 from the AZA.[11]

Bayou Le Zoo Choo Choo, the zoo's 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge miniature train, runs all year but only operates on weekends in January and February. It also runs during the zoo's Holiday Light Safari.[12] The train depot is just to the left of the main entry area, and the train takes visitors all the way around the outside edge of the zoo.[7]

Conservation

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As part of its conservation effort, the zoo participate in about 20 Species Survival Plans (SSP), including Andean condor, Chinese alligator, clouded leopard, colobus monkey, cotton-top tamarin, fishing cat, gibbon, golden lion tamarin, Indochinese tiger, jaguar, lion, lion-tailed macaque, Louisiana pine snake, maned wolf, ocelot, red wolf, spectacled bear, spider monkey, and toucan.[13]

In addition to species involved in Species Survival Plans, the zoo is home to other threatened or endangered species, including African dwarf crocodile, American crocodile, American black bear, Bengal tiger, black howler monkey, Brazilian tapir, Galapagos tortoise, lowland anoa, Nile crocodile, Palawan peacock pheasant, red-handed tamarin, and red kangaroo.

Throughout the year, the zoo also sponsors special events to help promote conservation, including lectures, Party for the Planet, Wild Tie & Tennis Shoe Night, International Migratory Bird Day, Black Bear Awareness Day, and Endangered Species Day.[14]

2015 cotton-top tamarin exposure deaths controversy

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In January 2015, two critically endangered monkeys died at the zoo after a caretaker left them overnight outside in the cold. The cotton-top tamarin, weighing less than 1 pound (0.45 kg) each, were left outside on the night of 7 January, when temperatures reached a low of 30 °F (−1 °C). A third tamarin survived.[15] People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which opposes zoos in general, called for a federal investigation into the deaths.[16]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d "Plan Your Visit". thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  2. ^ "Alexandria Zoological Park". thealexandriazoo.com. The Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 10 June 2001. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "About Us: Historical Perspective". thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 10 December 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  4. ^ Martinez, Melinda (4 September 2020). "Zoos across the US rally to help Alexandria Zoo rebuild after Hurricane Laura". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  5. ^ Martinez, Melinda (13 March 2021). "Alexandria Zoo reopens to crowds Friday after completing Hurricane Laura repairs". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  6. ^ "28 World-Class Facilities Earn AZA Accreditation". www.aza.org. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Zoo Map" (PDF). thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  8. ^ "African Experience". thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 20 January 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  9. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 13 December 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  10. ^ "The Alexandria Zoo Celebrates a Century in Cenla". Cenla Focus. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Louisiana Habitat". thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 20 February 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  12. ^ "Zoo Amenities". thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 15 December 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  13. ^ "Conservation: Species Survival Plans". thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  14. ^ "Conservation: Education". thealexandriazoo.com. Alexandria Zoo. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  15. ^ McConnaughey, Janet (13 January 2015). "2 endangered monkeys die from cold temperatures at zoo". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  16. ^ Phillip, Abby (14 January 2015). "Two critically endangered monkeys freeze to death after a Louisiana zoo keeper left them outside". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
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