User:DreamingKoala/sandbox

Intro:

The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, located in Toledo Ohio, is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), through the year 2022. The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium currently houses over 10,000 individual animal that covers 720 different species. With a large focus on conservation efforts, the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium currently participates in over 80 species survival program. The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium has a membership of over 57,000 and welcomes over 1 million visitors a year.

History[edit]

Toledo Zoo's bridge The Beginning:

At a time of growth and development in the city of Toledo, the city board believed a zoo was required in order to make the city an excursion destination. Humbly, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium began in 1900, when a woodchuck was donated by Carl Hillebrand, to Peter Mettler and the Walbridge Park. By the end of the first year, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium had a collection of 39 animals,that were all mostly donated. The park was unprepared for these donations and had used temporary housing such as ravines and boxes for exhibits. In November of 1901, The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium lost almost their entire collection when their winter housing for the animals was engulfed by fire. As a result, in 1907 the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium built their first brick building for housing animals, known as the Lion House. During the early years of The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium most animals were acquired through donations and circuses, and with a lack of proper housing animal escapes were common. In June 1913, a new driving force for development and growth came from the organization of The Toledo Zoological Society (TZS), with William H Roemer as their first president. By 1916, The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium had grown to a population of 471 animals. In 1922, there was a change to the dynamics of the zoo when Percy Jones, the TZS president, officially created the role of the Zoo Director, also know as the curator of the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. Frank Skeldon, was the first curator for the zoo. These two combined, would create a plan and push the zoo towards national recognition.

1920 - The Great Depression

By the 1920's, the Toledo Zoo created its first master plan, which included adding additional buildings to the grounds. To develop their plan the Toledo Zoo did a in depth study of the most successful 8 zoos around the world during this time.(32-33) The architectural style used on the buildings in their plan were based of the Spanish architecture from the city's namesake Toledo, Spain. By 1924, they had completed their first building of their master plan, the Elephant House (34). In order to maintain funding for the zoo, Jones had brokered a deal with the City of Toledo to be managed similar to the Bronx Zoo. The Toledo Zoo had become a public/private venture in 1926, allowing financial support from the city while maintaining the operations in the hands of the TZS. This change, formed the Board of Managers which was 5 city officials and 4 TZS members (36-37). In 1928, they completed their second building, The Herbivora (Giraffe House) (37) On Christmas Day 1927, the Carnivora Building was opened to the public, after ground breaking was made by Kermit Roosevelt (39). In 1929, the Toledo Zoo completed its last building prior to the WPA Era, the Primate House.

1930 - 1940 - The WPA Era

With the Great Depression hitting many families throughout the US, the Toledo Zoo was the perfect opportunity to assist those using government assistance. With the remainder of their master plan in need of finishing, Skeldon, Jones, and Colonel John S Shelter, created a deal with the federal government to use depression-era relief efforts to create jobs and continue the building of the master plan. In 1934 construction began on the first WPA building in the zoo, the Reptile House. Federal funding would only cover labor costs, so the Toledo Zoo had to be creative in finding building materials, which Skeldon was able to find by salvaging parts from unused structures. He created multiple agreements which allowed the Toledo Zoo the right to salvage as long as they cleared the land. In the end, the Toledo Zoo was able to salvage all the stonework, lumber, radiators and more to begin construction on the Reptilia (Reptile House). The Reptile House was officially opened in September 1934, to house over 485 reptiles and amphibians. (47 - 54) The very same day groundbreaking took place for the next two relief effort buildings, the Museum of Science and the attached Amphitheater. In July 1936, the outdoor Amphitheater was completed, followed closely behind by the indoor theater in October 1936, and the Museum of Science being finished in May of 1938. (59 - 60). As the depression continued, more buildings were added to the zoo. The Aves (Aviary) started construction in 1935, and was officially opened to the public in May of 1937. Like other WPA buildings it was also built from salvaged material, but was the first building in the nation to use glass block for walls (71-77). The final WPA project to open was the Aquarium. An example of creative architecture is the aquarium was built in a curved manor to be the rear wall of the Amphitheater, increasing acoustic viability. Started in 1935, the building was not opened for use until June of 1939 and upon it's opening it held many honors. It was the first aquarium in the state of Ohio, the largest fresh water aquarium in the world, and the 30,000 completed WPA project in the state. (79-80). All of these structures remain in use at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium today, and it may be the largest collection of these Depression Era relief buildings still in place today (82). Additional WPA projects at the zoo included new entrances, the Anthony Wayne Subway, and a wall dividing the Amphitheater from the zoo. (89)

1940 - 1980's

At the end of the WPA era, with the passing of Percy Jones and Frank Skeldon in the 1940's, the Toledo Zoo was ushered into a new post-war era. (89) In 1946, the Toledo Zoo had begun to venture into other innovations, with the creation of their railroad. The Toledo Zoo had survived two world wars, and the Great Depression. In honor of the 50th anniversary in 1949-1950, the Toledo Zoo launched their current publication, Safari Magazine. (94) Since 1948, the Toledo Zoo had lacked a permanent director. It was not until 1953, when Philip C Skeldon, Frank Skeldon's son, was appointed as the new Director of the Toledo Zoo. (97) Under his guidance with the board, the Toledo Zoo set off to launch a new master plan, which included new attractions including Wonder Valley (a petting zoo), more open air "bar-less" exhibits, and entertainment rides such as a merry-go-round, and a helicopter amusement ride.(99) in 1953, the Toledo Zoo now was the home to 3,537 animals. (112) By the end of the 1950's, the Toledo Zoo had created new pens, a gibbon run, as well as new exhibits along the northern edge of the zoo.(106) The highlight being the indoor trout run, thought to be the only one in America, opened in 1959. (112) In 1963, they continued to expand with the development of interconnecting water pools for water fouls and a pond for Flamingos. (106) During the 1960's the Toledo Zoo also began a new way to educate their visitors on the animal population, with the creation of Talking Storybook Kiosks that would play with the use of a plastic key. (112) The 1960's also sent the Toledo Zoo on safari on a quest to South America to help celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Toledo Blade. It was during that safari, the staff of the Toledo Zoo were able to capture 75 new species for display (114-115) In the 1970's the Toledo Zoo took another step forward in their quest for education, they created, in conjunction with the Toledo Board of Education, a Natural Resources and Horticulture class as well as a class in Animal Care. (122) Other additions in the 1970's included Cheetah Valley, Monkey Mountain, concession buildings, and the animal care center. The final part of the master plan was completed with the multi-level sea lion enclosure that allowed for underwater viewing and 4 new bear grottoes. (123)

1980 - 2000 - The Toledo Zoo's Renaissance

At the beginning of the 1980's the Toledo Zoo faced a potential closure. With the agreement created by Jones, the zoo was financially tied to a city that was in a financial crisis. Massive layoffs ensued and a staff of 70 was quickly reduced to 24. With a passage of a zoo levy in November of 1980, they were still left in the face of probable closure. The levy was for capital improvements only, so the money could not be used on animal care, staff members, and other items needed to run the zoo. As a result the Museum of Science and the conservatory were closed. To add to the problems, Skeldon was set to retire at the end of the year, and they had not yet found a replacement director. In January of 1981, William "Bill" Dennler, accepted the position and became the director of the Toledo Zoo. A proposal of payroll increase was denied and by the end of 1981 the Toledo Zoo only had 15 full time employees. With the support of the board members, staff, donors, and citizens, the zoo was able to raise enough money to keep the doors of the Toledo Zoo open. At the same time a study by the Toledo Area Governmental Research Association, reported that the zoo should become a private, not for profit organization. Taking this advice on April 1, 1982, the Toledo Zoo was removed from the Board of Members that was created and handed exclusively to be operated and funded by the Toledo Zoological Society. The TZS also worked with the Ohio Legislature which allowed them to work through on the county level, and be able to add levies to the Lucas County Ballots, to help finance the zoo's needs. (131-138) With the change taking place, the Toledo Zoo was starting a revival. By 1982, the Greenhouse/Conservatory had been renovated and reopened to the public and the Museum of Science was back in operation. The WPA buildings were carefully restored, and in 1983 a children's zoo had been opened. (131 - 140) The Toledo Zoo still had struggles to face along the way. The Aquarium had two major incidents occur during the 1980's. In 1982, the Aquarium caught fire, killing 104 fish as well as destroying much of the building. Later in 1987, a tank had cracked sending 20 tons of water throughout. (141). As the rebirth of the zoo continued, the Toledo Zoo issued in another world's first, with the addition of their African Savanna exhibit, which included the first ever Hippoquarium in 1986, and the rest of the savanna opening during 1987 - 1989. (142-145) Because of the success of the Hippoquarium exhibit and the amazing hippo birth caught on tape, the Toledo Zoo was given an opportunity to exhibit two giant pandas on loan from the People's Republic of China. The panda pair arrived in May of 1988 and were exhibited through October 1988. This was the first year that the zoo had over a million people attend in one year. The loan was challenged by the World Wildlife Fund, as well as the American Zoo and Aquarium Association through a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. Additional lawsuits followed, however the loan of the pandas remained intact and the lawsuits were settled. This outcry of debate dissolved the relationship with the People's Republic of China, and it was not until 1998 that they allowed another loan of pandas to the US, via the San Diego Zoo. (151 -153) This did not deter the Toledo Zoo from thriving during the 1990's. In 1994 they again exceed the 1 million visitor mark with their exhibit DinoRoars!, and again in 1998 with the reopening of the Aviary as well as the introduction of the primate forest. During their regrowth they also created a children's park, a pavilion for events, a catering department, an Emmy Award winning show called Zoo Today, and re-purposed many of the WPA era buildings. The Carnivora was relaunched as the Carnivore Cafe in 1993, they re-purposed the original Rare Mammal Building into the Kingdom of the Apes, altered the elephant house to be an events center, and even expanded their land across the Anthony Wayne Trail to their now Northern Campus. In 1997, to connect the two parts of the zoo the Toledo Zoo erected a pedestrian bridge. The Northern Campus normally known for their parking area had also been transformed when in 2000, the Toledo Zoo opened the Arctic Encounter Exhibit. (153 - 157)

2000 - Current - The Zoo in the New Millenium

After celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Toledo Zoo, the zoo was once again to become a center of controversy after the death of a female sloth bear caused by dehydration in 2000. After investigation the zoo was fined by the FDA and was required to put into effect an animal reporting system to better track any issues on animal concerns. ( Blade Article) This incident did not deter the Toledo Zoo as they pushed forward in their conservation efforts and Master Plan, with the beginning of the Africa! exhibit in 2001, with a wolf exhibit expected to be finished the following year. (Blade Article) By 2003, the Toledo Zoo was on a comeback as their breeding programs took off, with the births of sloth bears, elephants, tigers, and more. The successful birth of the African Elephant was historic as there had only been 12 births in the US since 1995. (blade article) More change came to the Toledo Zoo in 2006 when they brought on a new director, Anne Baker (blade Article). By 2007, the Toledo Zoo unveiled another 10 year master plan of improvements for their grounds, which would include a butterfly house, a new children's area, adjusting the elephant enclosures, and renovating and redesigning the WPA built aquarium building, which was estimated to take 7 years (blade article). In 2010, the Toledo Zoo made more environmental changes with the creation of a SolarWalk, which consisted of a 1400 foot walk way constructed with solar panels to help with the energy needs at the Toledo Zoo (blade article). In 2012, their current director came on board, Jeff Sailer. (blade article) 2014, was an important year at the zoo, with the opening of penguin beach, flamingo key, and other exhibits. It was also the last year it would be known as the Toledo Zoo. (2014 annual report) In 2015, the Toledo Zoo finished the Aquarium project, and officially changed their name to the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium (2015 annual report) The projects at the zoo have continued with the redesigning of the Museum of Science. Upon breaking ground, ProMedica donated to the project $3.5 million dollars and will have the naming rights to it upon reopening in the spring of 2019.(blade article)