Mendoza Zoological Park

Mendoza Zoological Park
32°53′4.41″S 68°53′20.65″W
Date opened	1941
Location	Mendoza, Argentina
Land area	48 hectares (120 acres)
No. of animals	1,300
No. of species	over 39
Annual visitors	200,000
Website	www.zoo.mendoza.gov.ar

The Mendoza Zoological Park is a zoo in Mendoza Province Argentina. It's located on Mendoza, Argentina on the northeast slope of Cerro de la Gloria. It is bounded by the streets of San Francisco de Asis, Av Libertador and the descent vehicle of the monument to the Army of the Andes, and is part of General San Martin Park. It covers 48 hectares (120 acres) and has about of 1,100 animals. The only entrance is on Avenida Liberator.

The zoo became controversial in 2014 when a petition was circulated to relocate Arturo the polar bear, who died in 2016. Other animals, like lions, brown bears, monkeys, tigers, leopards, elephants, and hippos, are being abused at this zoo. This online petition continues to grow calling for the closure of Mendoza Zoo due to continued mistreatment of animals. As of 2016, the petition has 10,234 signatures.

History

The old zoo was established in 1903 as part of the project landscape architect Carlos Thays, who was also commissioned the design of the then West Park (now known as Parque General San Martin). Construction began the following year, during the government of Emilio Civit. The initial location of the project was to address the current school-home Eva Perón. There he built a building that would be used as a cage for lions. Ponds and roads were also built later.

The first animals arrived on May 18, 1903 donated by the city of Buenos Aires. The group included a zebu, 6 dogs, 6 guinea pigs, and many rabbits. New animals (also donated by the city of Buenos Aires) came in 1905 while construction work continued. This time, joined a lion, a bear, two monkeys, a monkey, two parrots, and a blue jay.

In 1939 he commissioned architect Daniel Ramos Correa relocation of the zoo. He devised an ambitious project to place it on the northeast slope of Cerro de la Gloria. Taking inspiration from various zoos around the world, the architect designed semi open enclosures that simulate natural habitats and enough space for animals, without bars or cages, just with different levels and building stone walls of the curvature of the hill. This never became fully effective, as during the construction itself included certain dangerous animals cages.

The zoo was officially opened in 1941, covering 40 hectares (99 acres) and including 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) of paths and roads.

External links

• Official website