Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee County Zoo

Date opened	January 16, 1892 (Washington Park Site) May 13, 1961 (Current Site)[1]
Location	10001 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
Land area	200 acres (0.81 km2)[1]
Coordinates	43°1′57.5724″N 88°2′14.6436″W / 43.032659°N 88.037401°W / 43.032659; -88.037401
Number of animals	1,800 (January 2009)[1]
Number of species	350 (January 2009)[1]
Major exhibits	Aviary Apes of Africa/Primates of the World Aquatic and Reptile Center Small Mammal Building Large Mammals Northwestern Mutual Family Farm
Website	http://www.milwaukeezoo.org

The Milwaukee County Zoo is a zoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operated by the Milwaukee County Parks Commission. The zoo houses 1,800 animals and covers an area of 200 acres (800,000 m²). It is noted for the first birth of polar bears^[2] and siamangs^[3] in captivity. The zoo is also home to the largest group of bonobos in one location outside their native Democratic Republic of the Congo^[4] and to two of the National Zoo's world famous cheetahs.^[5]

History

The Washington Park Zoo

West Park Zoo opened in 1892, displaying small mammals and birds.^[6] The following year, the zoo added two cinnamon bears and created an iron bear den.^[7] In 1899, the zoo constructed a $2,137 herbivore building that housed a variety of animals.^[8] In 1900, West Park Zoo became Washington Park Zoo and two years later, the zoo was expanded to 23 acres (93,000 m²).^[9][10] Even with the Great Depression of the 1930s, the zoo prospered, creating a bear den that resembled bears' natural habitat.^[11] In 1931, the zoo's bear collection contained 37 specimens.^[12] By 1937, the Washington Park Zoo was beginning to show its age.^[13] A reptile exhibit was opened in the main zoo building in 1942.^[14]. George Speidel, zoo director at this time, began planning a new zoo.^[15]

The Milwaukee County Zoo

Although still located in Washington Park, the zoo changed its name to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County in 1953.^[16] Fundraising took place in 1956 to offset the estimated cost of building the new zoo: $12.6 million. The Milwaukee County Zoo opened in 1958 with the primate building, monkey island, feline house, pachyderm mall, and grizzly bear den. The zoo also featured a miniature train line, the "Zoo Line", which carried visitors around the zoo to view the exhibits and construction.^[17] In 1959, construction started on the dall sheep mountain and the Alaskan bear exhibit.^[18] On May 13, 1961, the Milwaukee County Zoo officially opened to the public.^[19] Later additions included the aviary (1962),^[20] the Australian building (1963), the original animal hospital (1963),^[21] the small mammal building (1965), the aquarium (1968), the reptile building (1968),^[22] the children's zoo (1971),^[23] and the polar bear underwater viewing exhibit (1986).^[24] In 1965, four Zoomobile tour trains were donated by Allis-Chalmers.^[25] In 1986, the children's zoo was renamed the Stackner Heritage Farm, and a dairy complex was constructed as part of it, to celebrate Wisconsin as America's Dairyland. The complex included a cow barn, education center, and dairy store.^[26] In 1988, the Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin exhibit, the education center, and the Peck Welcome Center opened.^[27] The following year, the renovated sea lion exhibit, featuring underwater viewing, opened,^[28] and the aviary was renovated.^[29] More recent changes include the addition of the Sterns Family Apes of Africa exhibit (1992),^[30] the renovation of the aquarium and reptile building (now known as the Aquatic and Reptile Center),^[31] the renovation of the small mammal building (1998), and the addition of the Wong Family Pheasantry (1998).^[32] In 2002, Monkey Island was renovated to include a large deck for viewing, and was renamed Macaque Island.^[33] 2003 saw a newly remodeled animal health center;^[34] 2004, a new education center;^[35] and 2005 and 2006, the remodeling of the Heritage Farm, feline building, and giraffe exhibit.^[36][37]

Exhibits

A foraging gorilla in the Sterns Building at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Taylor Family Humboldt Penguins

This is an exhibit featuring Humboldt Penguins with underwater viewing.

Herb and Nada Mahler Family Aviary

The aviary contains over 60 species^[38] in a walk-through building. One section is a cageless room where birds fly free.

Sterns Family Apes of Africa

This indoor building features bonobos and gorillas^[39]. For many years, Samson, the largest gorilla in captivity, was showcased in the Apes of Africa building.

Primates of the World

Adjacent to Apes of Africa, this exhibit showcases primates from the around the world, including mandrills and orangutans.^[40]

Macaque Island

Macaque Island features Japanese macaques. It was remodeled in 2002 to include a large deck for viewing and an expanded shelter.^[41]

Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Gallery

This building is dedicated to special or traveling exhibits.

Aquatic and Reptile Center

This building holds invertebrates, fish, reptiles, and amphibians^[42].

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Milwaukee County Zoo-About Us
2. ^ International Polar Bear Husbandry Conference Proceedings, hosted by Polar Bears International, February 4-7, 2004, San Diego, California retrieved August 15, 2007
3. ^ Milwaukee County Zoo - The New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1961-1984 - 1962 retrieved August 15, 2007
4. ^ Milwaukee County Zoo - Animal Division: Individual Conservation and Research Projects - Bonobos retrieved August 15, 2007
5. ^ Meet the Zoo's Cheetahs - National Zoo retrieved August 15, 2007
6. ^ 1892
7. ^ 1893
8. ^ 1899
9. ^ 1900
10. ^ 1902
11. ^ 1930
12. ^ 1931
13. ^ 1937
14. ^ 1942
15. ^ 1947
16. ^ 1953
17. ^ 1958
18. ^ 1959
19. ^ 1961
20. ^ 1962
21. ^ 1963
22. ^ 1968
23. ^ 1971
24. ^ 1986
25. ^ 1965
26. ^ 1987
27. ^ 1988
28. ^ 1990
29. ^ 1991
30. ^ 1992
31. ^ 1995
32. ^ 1998
33. ^ 2002
34. ^ 2003
35. ^ 2004
36. ^ 2005
37. ^ 2006
38. ^ Aviary
39. ^ Apes
40. ^ Primates
41. ^ Macaque Island
42. ^ Aquatic and Reptile Center

External links

• Official website
• The Zoological Society of Milwaukee County