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Sacramento Zoo (Visit this link)

Seventy-five years ago “the little zoo in the park” was born. The William Land Park Zoo opened on June 2, 1927 as the City of Sacramento brought together an assortment of animals from area parks. At that time, the 4.2 acre zoo was home to a diverse collection of 40 animals that included monkeys, raccoons, birds, deer and various other small animals. In the early 1960s, the zoo was enlarged to its current 14.3 acres and new habitats were built in nearly every area of the zoo. In 1970, the Sacramento City Council adopted the name Sacramento Zoo.

During the 1980s, zoos began to provide a new experience for visitors by replacing the iron bars and concrete walls of cages with protective moats, bigger animal enclosures and more natural habitats. At this time the Sacramento Zoo went through a period of exciting growth and added new habitats for the chimpanzees and orangutans, renovated the lion and tiger grottos, and adopted a long-range master plan for continued improvements and additions to the zoo. In the ‘90s, the zoo added the Rare Feline Center, golden-headed lion tamarin and snow leopard exhibits; climbing trees for the orangutans; and the Lake Victoria complex with its collection of flamingos and other waterfowl.

As the zoo community was learning more and more about the animals in their care, it was time to make more improvements. Architects met the challenge of making exhibit areas spacious and interesting to both inhabitants and visitors. Zoo horticulturists designed natural habitats that reached new levels of creativity. The Claire Mower Red Panda Forest, a mixed species habitat for endangered red panda, Asian bird, fish and turtle species is a prime example of where architects meet horticulturists. Built in 2000, our exceptional habitat, combined with the abilities of our keeper staff, has proven our expertise in caring for these animals. Based on a recommendation by the red panda Species Survival Planâ team, we have earned the opportunity to work with a breeding pair. In June of 2001 our breeding pair welcomed two red panda cubs.

In 2001 many young animals were welcomed. A saki monkey was born and is growing so fast that distinguishing baby from adult is quite difficult. Eleven leopard tortoise eggs hatched and are being cared for in the reptile house. The crested screamers in Lake Victoria are raising young ones. A female bongo, fifty-eight pound at birth, was up and running within hours. Also added to the zoo’s collection were four thick-billed parrot hatchlings. The Sacramento Zoo is working nationwide with zoos and government agencies on a captive breeding program that will help reestablish this bird to its former United States range. The thick-billed parrot is the only living parrot species native to the United States. This species is considered endangered and is rapidly decreasing in number due to deforestation.

In 2002 the zoo welcomed several new animals. A female jaguar arrived from the Tulsa Zoo in January. In May the zoo received a female Sumatran orangutan from the Birmingham Zoo. Ten flamingos joined the existing group of flamingos that enjoy the shores and waters of Lake Victoria. The zoo's newest habitat, a naturalistic aviary for thick-billed parrots opened in July.

It’s amazing what you can learn at the Sacramento Zoo.

http://www.saczoo.com