San Antonio Zoo

Last updated
San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo logo.png
San Antonio Zoo
29°27′53″N98°28′19″W / 29.4648°N 98.4719°W / 29.4648; -98.4719
Date openedMay 13, 1914
Location3903 N. St. Mary's Street
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Land area57 acres (23 ha) [1]
No. of animals3,500+
No. of species750
Annual visitors1.1 million+ [1]
Memberships AZA, [2] ZAA [3]
Public transit access VIA Metropolitan Transit logo.svg
Viva Trolley #11
Website www.sazoo.org
San Antonio Zoo San Antonio Zoo
The San Antonio Zoo Eagle train (4-2-4T locomotive pictured, since retired) carries visitors throughout Brackenridge Park. Zoo train, San Antonio, TX IMG 3108.JPG
The San Antonio Zoo Eagle train (4-2-4T locomotive pictured, since retired) carries visitors throughout Brackenridge Park.
Several refreshment outlets, including Crossroads Cafe, are available at the San Antonio Zoo. Crossroads Cafe at San Antonio, TX, Zoo DSCN0727.JPG
Several refreshment outlets, including Crossroads Café, are available at the San Antonio Zoo.
A carousel nearing completion was scheduled to open in 2014 in the San Antonio Zoo. Carousel at San Antonio Zoo DSCN0715.JPG
A carousel nearing completion was scheduled to open in 2014 in the San Antonio Zoo.
Desert plant and terrain exhibit at the San Antonio Zoo Desert plant exhibit at San Antonio Zoo DSCN0728.JPG
Desert plant and terrain exhibit at the San Antonio Zoo

The San Antonio Zoo is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo in Midtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. It is located in the city's Brackenridge Park. San Antonio Zoo is a 50+ acre zoo home to over 750 species, some of which are endangered or extinct in the wild, and an annual attendance of more than 1 million. [4] It also runs non-animal attractions, such as the 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge San Antonio Zoo Eagle train ride, which first opened in 1956. [5]

Contents

The Richard Friedrich Aquarium was opened in 1948. [6] It was the only aquarium in the city until SeaWorld San Antonio was opened in 1988.

History

What is now known as the San Antonio Zoo began in 1914 when Colonel George Washington Brackenridge, one of the city's leading citizens, placed bison, deer, monkeys, African lions, and bears on land he had deeded to the city. The land became Brackenridge Park and Golf Course.

The San Antonio Zoo opened two of the first cageless exhibits in the United States in November 1929 that offered visitors views of the animals not available in caged exhibits. The Richard Friedrich Aquarium was dedicated in 1948, and the Hixon Bird House, funded through the efforts of Colonel Frederick C. Hixon, opened in 1966.

The San Antonio Zoo housed the first herd of addra gazelle in captivity in 1969 and continues to be active in the breeding program for this critically endangered species. Due to the former hoofstock quarantine point in San Antonio, the San Antonio Zoo has historically had a wide variety of hoofstock species.

The zoo is involved in breeding a number of endangered species including black rhino, leopard, golden lion tamarin, dama gazelle, Attwater's prairie chicken (housed and bred off-exhibit), black mangabey, African lion, black-footed ferret, Komodo dragon, Andean condor, and Caribbean flamingos.

The zoo opened Phase II of Africa Live in 2010. Phase I, which opened in 2007, brought a new exhibit for hippos with underwater viewing area and one for new Nile crocodiles as well as many other smaller animals. Phase II contains Angolan colobus monkeys, okapi, African hunting dogs, rock hyrax, and various species of birds contained in the second largest aviary in the world. On June 18, 2013, a two-headed turtle, along with three one-headed turtles hatched. The two-headed turtle was later named Thelma and Louise after the 1991 film. Thelma and Louise later died on July 29, 2014, from unknown causes.

Josh the African lion was permanently transferred to the Birmingham Zoo in April 2022 as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. [7]

Species

Mammals

Lemur at the San Antonio Zoo Lemur at San Antonio Zoo (2014) DSCN0654.JPG
Lemur at the San Antonio Zoo

Birds

Reptiles

Crocodile at the San Antonio Zoo Crocodile at San Antonio Zoo (2014) DSCN0685.JPG
Crocodile at the San Antonio Zoo

Amphibians

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoo Atlanta</span> Zoo in Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Zoo Atlanta is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia. The current president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta is Raymond B. King.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melbourne Zoo</span> Zoo in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne Zoo is a zoo in Melbourne, Australia. It is located within Royal Park in Parkville, approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of the centre of Melbourne. It is the primary zoo serving Melbourne. As of 2021 the zoo contains 3742 animals comprising 243 species, from Australia and around the world. The zoo is accessible via Royal Park station on the Upfield railway line, and is also accessible via tram routes 58 and 19, as well as by bicycle on the Capital City Trail. Bicycles are not allowed inside the zoo itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Zoo</span> Public zoo and botanical garden

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a 133-acre (54 ha) zoo founded in 1966 and located in Los Angeles, California, United States. The city of Los Angeles owns the zoo, its land and facilities, and the animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden</span> Zoo and botanical garden in Oklahoma City, United States

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is a zoo and botanical garden located in Oklahoma City's Adventure District in northeast Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zürich Zoologischer Garten</span> Zoo in Zurich

The Zoo Zürich is a zoo located in Zürich, Switzerland. It is considered one of the best zoos in Europe. Opened in 1929, it is the third oldest zoo in Switzerland and it accumulated a collection of 2,200 specimens of 300 species by its seventy-fifth year. It is located on Zürichbergstrasse, on the lower reaches of the Zürichberg in the Fluntern quarter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Rock Zoo</span> Zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

The Little Rock Zoo was founded in 1926 and is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. It is home to more than 725 animals representing over 200 species, and covers an area of 33 acres (13 ha). The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is a private 501 c (3) organization that raises funds for zoo development. The Little Rock Zoo is a department of the city of Little Rock. It is the largest zoo in Arkansas, and the only Arkansas zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham Zoo</span> Zoo in Birmingham, Alabama, United States

The Birmingham Zoo is a zoological park that opened in 1955 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sedgwick County Zoo</span> Zoo in Kansas, USA

The Sedgwick County Zoo is an AZA-accredited wildlife park and major attraction in Wichita, Kansas, United States. Founded in 1971, with the help of the Sedgwick County Zoological Society, the zoo has quickly become recognized both nationally and internationally for its support of conservation programs and successful breeding of rare and endangered species. Having over 3,000 animals of nearly 400 species, the zoo has slowly increased its visitors and now ranks as the number one outdoor tourist attraction in the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gladys Porter Zoo</span> Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, United States

Gladys Porter Zoo is a zoological and botanical park located in Brownsville, Texas, United States. The zoo officially opened on September 3, 1971, and currently averages over 424,000 visitors annually. Situated on 31 acres (13 ha), the zoo houses about 400 animal species and over 250 tropical and neo-tropical species and subspecies. It is the first zoo to have successfully bred the endangered Jentink's duiker. It is also the birthplace of Harambe, the gorilla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo</span> Zoo and zookeeper training facility in Gainesville, Florida, United States

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is a 10-acre (4.0 ha) zoo in Gainesville, Florida. Located on Santa Fe College's main campus, it is the only college zookeeper training facility in the United States. Since 2000, the zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leipzig Zoological Garden</span> Zoo in Leipzig, Germany

Leipzig Zoological Garden, or Leipzig Zoo is a zoo in Leipzig`s district Mitte, Germany. It was first opened on June 9, 1878. It was taken over by the city of Leipzig in 1920 after World War I and now covers about 27 hectares and contains approximately 850 species. By 2020 the zoo featured six different theme worlds, aiming at providing habitats appropriate for the species on display.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABQ BioPark Zoo</span> Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

ABQ BioPark Zoo, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a facility of the Albuquerque Biological Park. Founded in 1927, the 64-acre (26 ha) zoo was originally known as the Rio Grande Zoo. Sections of the zoo include an Africa exhibit area, an Australia exhibit area, the "Cat Walk" and a herpetology area. An endangered species carousel was added in 2016. A narrow-gauge railroad connects the zoo to the other facilities of the Albuquerque Biological Park. Walking distance through the zoo is 2.27 miles (3.65 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park</span> Zoo in Florida, United States

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of Florida's oldest continuously running attractions, having opened on May 20, 1893. It has 24 species of crocodilians, and also a variety of other reptiles, mammals and birds, as well as exhibits, animal performances and educational demonstrations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reid Park Zoo</span> Zoo in Tucson, Arizona

The Reid Park Zoo, founded in 1967, is a 24-acre (9.7 ha) city-owned and -operated nonprofit zoo located within Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo features more than 500 animals. It was unofficially established in 1965 by Gene Reid, the parks and recreation director at the time. The zoo boasts approximately 500,00 visitors each year. It is accredited and certified with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Species Survival Plan</span>

The American Species Survival Plan or SSP program was developed in 1981 by the (American) Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums, most of which are threatened or endangered in the wild.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welsh Mountain Zoo</span> Zoo in Conwy County Borough, Wales

The Welsh Mountain Zoo is a zoological garden located near the town of Colwyn Bay in Conwy County Borough, Wales. The zoo was opened on 18 May 1963 by the wildlife enthusiast and naturalist Robert Jackson. The zoo covers an area of 37 acres (15 ha).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barcelona Zoo</span> Zoo in Catalonia, Spain

Barcelona Zoo is a zoo in the Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The zoo used to be internationally known as the home of Snowflake, the only known albino gorilla, who died in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bramble Park Zoo</span> Zoo in South Dakota, United States

Bramble Park Zoo is located in Watertown, South Dakota. Open since 1912, the zoo comprises 15 acres (6.1 ha) with approximately 500 animals representing 130 different species.

The fauna of Illinois include a wide variety of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Missouri</span> Flora and fauna of the US state of Missouri

Missouri is home to a diversity of flora, fauna and funga. There is a large amount of fresh water present due to the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and Lake of the Ozarks, with numerous smaller rivers, streams, and lakes. North of the Missouri River, the state is primarily rolling hills of the Great Plains, whereas south of the Missouri River, the state is dominated by the oak-hickory Central U.S. hardwood forest.

References

  1. 1 2 "Zoo Facts: San Antonio Zoo". sazoo-aq.org. San Antonio Zoo. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  2. "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA . Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  3. "Accredited Facilities". Zoological Association of America. Retrieved 17 Jun 2017.
  4. "About Us".
  5. San Antonio Zoo - Zoo Train
  6. "Exhibits at the San Antonio Zoo Archived 2009-01-30 at the Wayback Machine ." San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium. Retrieved on January 15, 2009.
  7. "Birmingham Zoo welcomes Josh, new African lion, after large cat Kwanza dies of cancer". 13 June 2022.