Philadelphia Zoo
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| Philadelphia Zoo | |
 The gate overhead the zoo's entrance
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| Date opened | March 21, 1859 (chartered); July 1, 1874 (opened) |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Land area | 42 acres (0.17 km²) |
| # of Animals | 1,500 |
| Accreditations/ Memberships |
AZA |
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The Philadelphia Zoo, located in Fairmount Park on the west bank of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, was the first zoo in the United States. Chartered by the state on March 21, 1859, its opening was delayed by the American Civil War until July 1, 1874.
The Philadelphia Zoo is one of the premier zoos in the world for breeding animals that have been found difficult to breed in captivity. The zoo also works with many groups around the world to protect the natural habitats of the animals in their care.
The zoo comprises 42 acres and is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The zoo features a children’s zoo, a balloon ride, a paddleboat lake, and many interactive and educational exhibits.
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[edit] Recent events
In late 2006, the Zoo decided to close its elephant exhibit, relocating its four elephants to other zoos. The elephants will be gone by Spring 2007 [1].
In 2006 the Philadelphia Zoo opened a new, $20-million big cat exhibit, Big Cat Falls, sponsored by Bank of America. This exhibit showcases the animals in scenes reminiscent of their natural habitats, and allows visitors to get very close to the cats—sometimes separated only by a panel of glass. Visitors can see 12 endangered big cats from around the world, including three new snow leopard cubs, three new puma kittens and a new black jaguar cub.
In 2000 the Zoo opened a new primate exhibit, the PECO Primate Reserve. It features 2.5 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits with ten species of primates, including Sumatran orangutans, lowland gorillas, lemurs, langurs and gibbons [2].
In 1995, a fire in the World of Primates building in the early morning of December 24 killed 23 animals, including a family group of six lowland gorillas, a family group of three orangutans, four white-handed gibbons, and ten lemurs (2 ruffed, 6 ringtail, and 2 mongoose) [3]. All were members of endangered species. The animals died in their sleep from smoke inhalation (carbon-monoxide poisoning); none were burned. Ten primates housed in an adjoining building, the Discovery House, survived. At the time of the fire, detection equipment existed in only 20% of the zoo buildings, but the primates building, which had been constructed in 1985. was not one of them. Following the fire, the zoo committed to immediate installing smoke-detection systems in all animal buildings.
[edit] Features of the zoo
- The Dodge Rare Animal Conservation Center: Interactive graphics and up-close views of some of the world's most endangered animals : giant Rodrigues fruit bats, naked mole rats, blue-eyed lemurs, tree kangaroos, and more.
- The Reptile and Amphibian House: Features over 125 species of amphibians and reptiles, including giant tortoises and the venomous king cobra.
- Carnivore Kingdom: Features a family of six rare, playful giant otters, snow leopards, red pandas, and clouded leopards in unique naturalistic environments.
- African species exhibits: warthogs, sable antelope, Mhorr gazelle, reticulated giraffes, hippos, and zebras.
- Exotic South American animals: such as giant anteaters and capybaras.
- Educational programs are offered at reasonable cost for children age three and older.
- The Animal Health Center: The Philadelphia Zoo hosts one of the nation’s busiest and most comprehensive animal hospital and health-care facilities.
- The Channel 6 Zooballooon, a tethered helium balloon, rises 400 feet in the air to offer an excellent view of the Zoo, the Schuylkill River, and the Philadelphia skyline.
 Sign outside the zoo explaining its history |
 The zoo’s welcome sign |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Dewan, Vikram. Best for the animals, best for the zoo Philadelphia Daily News, December 4, 2006, retrieved December 4, 2006.
- Gorilla antics anew at Philadelphia’s zoo 2000.
- Philadelphia Zoo Fire, article of unknown date.
[edit] External links
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Conservation biology | List of zoos | List of zoo associations | Zoological Garden | Menagerie | Tourist attraction | Wildlife Conservation | Endangered species |
