History of Bronx Zoo New York

Located in the Bronx borough of New York City, the Bronx Zoo tops the list of the largest metropolitan zoo throughout the nation. Moreover, the Bronx Zoo is also one of the most celebrated zoos in the world. It's not only widely known for its impressive collections of animals and attractions, but its contributions of excellent work of conservation as part of the Wildlife Conservation Society and membership of AZA. The zoo boasts a rich history since its opening.

The Foundation of Bronx Zoo: Most of the lands on which the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden sit now were owned by Fordham University. The land was sold to the City of New York for the development of a zoo and garden. In 1895, New York State chartered the New York Zoological Society, which is now called Wildlife Conservation Society. It was set up with a purpose to found a zoo in NYC.

The Bronx Zoo first opened to the public on November 8, 1899. At that time, the zoo was called the Bronx Zoological Park or the Bronx Zoological Gardens, featuring 843 animals in 22 exhibits. William Temple Hornaday was the first director of Bronx Zoo.

Bronx Zoo has taken various important steps in conservation works with a series of milestone events. Managed by the WCS, Bronx Zoo has done much work for the conservation of wildlife and wild places in history.

The first modern animal hospital was set up in Bronx Zoo in 1916 with the first full-time veterinarian. The original animal hospital developed into today's Wildlife Health Center. The center in Bronx Zoo provides medical services to animals at the zoos and aquarium of WCS in NYC.

The Save-the-Redwoods League was established in 1918 with the help of the Bronx Zoo. In 1929, the zoo created its first formal zoo education program. Bronx Zoo continues the tradition of educating its visitors over the years. In March 2007, the WCS and the Fordham University of Graduate School of Education reached a joint program, offering Master of Science degree in education. The cooperation is the first joint degree program that implemented in 2008.

Until today, the Bronx Zoo has launched many programs to help wildlife, such as Save Wildlife Habitat and Reduce Global Warming, Make a Difference for America's Wildlife and Protect Critical Conservation Programs. The Bronx Zoo is striving to make more efforts to wildlife conservation.

The zoo exhibits and attractions have undergone many renovations and upgrades. Bronx Zoo now houses more than 4,000 animals of 650 species with the original 842 animals of 22 exhibits in 1899. The zoo has made strides to free animals from traditional cages and is widely known for its much more naturalistic exhibits.

The groundbreaking African Plains exhibit, opened in 1940, allows visitors to walk through lions, zebras and storks. All these animals share the same habitat with African wild dogs and nyalas. The $43 million Congo Gorilla Forest opened in 1999. This 6.5-acre rainforest features several different climates to provide maximum comfort for the animals, such as western lowland gorillas, colobus monkeys, marmosets and mandrills. Visitors can walk through the area or the viewing tunnel. The Madagascar exhibit opened on June, 20, 2008. It recreates the so-called eighth continent.

In addition to its impressive exhibits, the zoo's landmarks and architectures also witnessed many worthwhile changes in its history. Several architectures at the zoo are designated official city landmarks. One of them is the Rockefeller Fountain built by Italian sculptor Biagio Catella in 1872 and it was donated to the zoo in 1903. The Astor Court at Zoo Center is also a famous spot that was landmarked in 2000. Another historic landmark is a souvenir from the Ice Age - the Rocking Stone, which can overlook the Buffalo Range. The 30-ton cube of pinkish granite is approximately seven feet high and is balanced perfectly on a granite slab base.

The Bronx Zoo has presented many great monuments to NYC since it opened. Paul Manship's expressive Rainey Memorial Gates are included. The memorial is located at the Fordham Road entrance to the zoo. Visitors can find highlighting 22 full-sized sculpted animals rising above on a vine-like pattern on the memorial. The gates were selected as the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Want to know more about the history of Bronx Zoo in New York? A trip to the zoo must open your eyes to a deeper Bronx Zoo. A wonderful relaxing day trip is ensured for you. To learn more about Bronx Zoo visitor info, please visit the following websites.

Plan Your Trip at Bronx Zoo

http://www.bronxzoo.com/plan-your-trip.aspx

Programs and Tours at Bronx Zoo

http://www.bronxzoo.com/classes-and-programs.aspx