Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens
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| Milwaukee County Zoo | |
 Entrance sign for the zoo
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| Date opened | January 16, 1892 (West Gardens site)[1] May 13, 1961 (current site) [2] |
| Location | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| Land area | 200 acres (0.8 km²) |
| Coordinates | |
| Number of Animals | 2500 [1] |
| Number of Species | 300 [1] |
| Accreditations/ Memberships |
AZA |
| Website | |
The Milwaukee County Zoo is a zoo in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. The zoo houses 2,500 animals and covers an area of 200 acres (800,000 m²). The zoo is noted for first birth of polar bears[3] and siamangs[4] in captivity. The zoo is also home to the largest group of bonobos in one location outside their native Democratic Republic of the Congo[5]. It is also home to two of the National Zoo's World Famous cheetahs[6].
Contents |
[edit] History
The Milwaukee County Zoo started in 1892 as the West Gardens Zoological Park which was a small mammal and bird exhibit in the West Gardens barn.[7] On September 20, 1900, the West Gardens were renamed Washington Park and the zoo followed suit by renaming to Washington Park Zoo.[8]
In 1953, the Washington Park Zoological Society renamed itself to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County.[9] The following year it was announced that a new $5 million zoo would be built but costs were increased to $12.6 million after cutbacks.[10] On May 13, 1961, the Milwaukee County Zoo opened to the public.[2]
[edit] Centers and exhibits
[edit] Children's Zoo
The Children's Zoo features goats, cows, horses, a farm exhibit, a waterfall complete with reservoir, a solar system HQ and a playground.
[edit] Cats
The Big Cats exhibit features an automated information kiosk, Amur Tigers, African Lions, Cheetahs, Jaguars, Spotted Hyenas and Snow Leopards.
[edit] Primates
There are two areas dedicated to primates: Apes of Africa and Primates of the World. The areas feature Mandrills, Spider Monkeys, and other simian species. There is also a man-made island called Macaque Island that also house primates (and a mink). Samson, a western lowland gorilla believed to be one of the largest gorillas in captivity lived in the Apes of Africa Center from 1950 until 1981.
[edit] Aviary
The aviary has specially designed "around the world" areas and is a specially designed building for numerous species of birds. Outside of the building are a few species of pheasants.
 Rhinoceros Hornbill underside |
 Pair of Piping Plovers |
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 Female Congo Peafowl |
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[edit] Australia
The Australia Center features emus, kangaroos, koalas and other Australian animals.
[edit] Others
The other animals that reside at Milwaukee County Zoo include Humboldt Penguins, Crested Screamers, Caribou, Grizzly Bears, Elk, Prairie Dogs, Black Bears, Moose and Brown Bears.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Milwaukee County Zoo - The History of the Milwaukee County Zoo retrieved April 16, 2007
- ^ a b Milwaukee County Zoo - The New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1961-1984 - 1961 retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ International Polar Bear Husbandry Conference Proceedings, hosted by Polar Bears International, February 4-7, 2004, San Diego, California retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo - The New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1961-1984 - 1962 retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo - Animal Division: Individual Conservation and Research Projects - Bonobos retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ Meet the Zoo's Cheetahs - National Zoo retrieved August 15, 2007
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo - Building the Washington Park Zoo ~ 1892-1927 - 1892 retrieved April 19, 2007
- ^ Milwaukee County Zoo - Building the Washington Park Zoo ~ 1892-1927 - 1900 retrieved April 19, 2007
- ^ Building the New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1947-1960 - 1953 retrieved April 19, 2007
- ^ Building the New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1947-1960 - 1956 retrieved April 19, 2007
[edit] External links
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