Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens

Infobox zoo
zoo_name=Milwaukee County Zoo

---

image_width=225px
image_caption=Entrance sign for the zoo
area=200 acres (0.8 km²)
date_opened=January 16, 1892 (Washington Park site) [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/index.html Milwaukee County Zoo - The History of the Milwaukee County Zoo] retrieved April 16, 2007]
May 13, 1961 (current site) [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/1961.html Milwaukee County Zoo - The New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1961-1984 - 1961] retrieved August 15, 2007]
location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
coordinates=coord|43|1|57.5724|N|88|2|14.6436|W|type:landmark_scale:2500
num_animals=2500 [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/index.html Milwaukee County Zoo - The History of the Milwaukee County Zoo] ]
num_species=300 [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/index.html Milwaukee County Zoo - The History of the Milwaukee County Zoo] ]
members=AZA
website=http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/

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 [ [http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/ipbhc/exhibit-design/summaries/ International Polar Bear Husbandry Conference Proceedings, hosted by Polar Bears International, February 4-7, 2004, San Diego, California] retrieved August 15, 2007] and siamangs [ [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/1962.html Milwaukee County Zoo - The New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1961-1984 - 1962] retrieved August 15, 2007] in captivity. The zoo is also home to the largest group of bonobos in one location outside their native Democratic Republic of the Congo [ [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/conservation_bonobos.html Milwaukee County Zoo - Animal Division: Individual Conservation and Research Projects - Bonobos] retrieved August 15, 2007] . It is also home to two of the National Zoo's World Famous cheetahs [ [http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AfricanSavanna/meetcheetahs.cfm Meet the Zoo's Cheetahs - National Zoo] retrieved August 15, 2007] .

History

The Milwaukee County Zoo started in 1892 as the West Park Zoological Gardens which was a small mammal and bird exhibit in the West Park barn. [ [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/1892.html Milwaukee County Zoo - Building the Washington Park Zoo ~ 1892-1927 - 1892] retrieved April 19, 2007] On September 20, 1900, the West Park was renamed Washington Park and the zoo followed suit by renaming to Washington Park Zoo. [ [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/1900.html Milwaukee County Zoo - Building the Washington Park Zoo ~ 1892-1927 - 1900] retrieved April 19, 2007]

In 1953, the Washington Park Zoological Society renamed itself to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County. [ [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/1953.html Building the New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1947-1960 - 1953] retrieved April 19, 2007] 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. [ [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/timeline/1956.html Building the New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1947-1960 - 1956] retrieved April 19, 2007] On May 13, 1961, the Milwaukee County Zoo opened to the public.

Centers and exhibits

Children's Zoo

The Children's Zoo features goats, cows, horses, a farm exhibit, a waterfall complete with reservoir, the dairy store, the Farmer's Market concession stand and a solar system HQ and a playground.

Cats

The Big Cats exhibit features an automated information kiosk, Amur Tigers, African Lions, Cheetahs, Jaguars, Spotted Hyenas and Snow Leopards.

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.

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.

Australia

The Australia Center features emus, kangaroos, koalas and other Australian animals.

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/ Milwaukee County Zoo]
* [http://www.zoosociety.org/ The Zoological Society of Milwaukee County]