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San Diego Zoo
The world famous San Diego Zoo
in Balboa Park, San Diego, California has grown into one of the
biggest and most progressive zoos in the world, housing more than
4000 animals that represent over 800 species. It just happens to be
one of few zoos in the world that has giant pandas and is run by the
nonprofit Zoological Society of San Diego. Set on 107 acres of
parkland that is leased from the city, everything is owned by the
city. The zoo grew from the exotic animal exhibitions that were left
after the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, with Dr. Harry M.
Wegeforth starting the Zoological Society of San Diego in 1916. In
1921, a permanent plot of land was set aside in Balboa Park for the
zoo, and it began to publish the ZooNooz in 1925. In 1923, Frank
Buck became the temporary director, signing a three year contract
with Wegeforth. Frank was recommended for the job by Dr. William T.
Hornaday, the director of the Bronx Zoo. Buck soon began to clash
with the strong willed Wegeforth and left after just three months,
going back to collecting animals. Going through other short lived
directors, Wegeforth made the zoo's bookkeeper, Belle Benchley, the
executive secretary, which in effect became the zoo's director;
which she did become officially some years later. She held that
prestigious position from 1925 until 1953; and for the majority of
that period was the only woman director of zoos in the world. Upon
her retirement, Dr. Charles Schroeder took over the directorship.
This zoo is one of the pioneers of cageless enclosures and the
Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species started in 1975, when
Dr. Kurt Benirschke suggested that the museum become involved in
that area and he became their first director. Through the years, the
zoo has become very active in the conservation and
species-preservation efforts with its Conservation Research facility
raising pandas, tigers, African black rhinos and California condors.
There are now many types of animals that are bred in captivity for
later release back into their natural habitats, when and where it is
appropriate. The zoo employs many professional veterinarians,
geneticists and cytologists and has a cryopreservation facility for
rare sperm and eggs called the Frozen Zoo. The exhibits are designed
around a special habitat, with the same features being available to
various kinds of animals that although different can co-exist
side-by-side and enjoy the same native plant life. Like the African
rainforest that contains gorillas, or the Arctic taiga and tundra
where the polar bears live. A few of the biggest free-flight
aviaries can be found here, with some displays being more natural
with invisible wires and darkened shades (to see birds) and pools
and open air moats for the bigger mammals. They also operate the San
Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, that showcases the animals in a better
and larger setting than those at the zoo. Between here and the zoo,
the animals are exchanged often, as well as with other zoos around
the world. The zoo is one of the few large zoos in the world that
the majority of its enclosures are open-air, with the only building
and closed in house is for reptiles. The climate at the zoo is
almost perfect for numerous of the plants and animals that live
there. The expansive collection of birds, mammals and reptiles
thrive here, but there is also an arboretum located on the grounds
that contains a wonderful rare plant collection, and as part of its
plant programs, raises rare animal foods. These include the 40
different types of bamboo grown for the pandas that are on long-term
loan from the Chinese government, as well as 18 kinds of eucalyptus
trees for the koalas. Permanent exhibits include the Monkey Trails
and Forest Tales, the Panda Research Station, the Polar Bear Plunge,
the Ituri Forest and the Elephant Odyssey.
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