Hogle Zoo

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Date opened	August 1, 1931[1]
Location	Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Coordinates	40°44′59″N 111°48′50″W / 40.7498°N 111.814°W / 40.7498; -111.814Coordinates: 40°44′59″N 111°48′50″W / 40.7498°N 111.814°W / 40.7498; -111.814
Land area	42 acres (17 ha)[2]
Number of animals	800[2]
Number of species	249[3]
Memberships	AZA,[4] WAZA[5]
Major exhibits	Asian Highlands, Rocky Shores, Discovery Land, Elephant Encounter
Website	www.hoglezoo.org

Utah's Hogle Zoo is a 42-acre (17 ha) zoo located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It houses animals from diverse ecosystems. It is located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. Hogle (pronounced "ho-gul") is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

History

This zoo was founded and is operated by the Hogle family. Its original location was in Salt Lake City's Liberty Park (bordered by 500 and 700 East, and 900 and 1300 South streets). In 1916, the zoo purchased Princess Alice, an elephant, from a travelling circus.^[6] Princess Alice had the first elephant born in Utah. His name was Prince Utah and he died at eleven months old. Current exhibits included deer, monkeys, three elephants (including one baby), various birds, mammals, and reptiles from around the world. The zoo officially became Utah's Hogle Zoo when it opened at the Emigration Canyon site, August 1, 1931, on a piece of land donated by Mr. and Mrs. James A. Hogle.

It is owned by the city of Salt Lake City, and is supported through tax dollars and private donations raised by The Utah Zoological Association.

In 2006, this zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary with free admission to persons born in 1931.

Exhibits

All exhibits must be passed by voters in order for the construction to begin. This is because the city's tax dollars pay for the renovations.

Elephant Encounter

Opened in 2005, this exhibit houses white rhinoceros and African elephants in four exhibit areas as well as a 110,000-gallon pool.^[7] Visitors can view the animals from several vantage points, including an artificial kopje. A nearby thatch-roof building, the Convergys African Lodge, displays interpretive items such as elephant bones and a rhinoceros hide to educate visitors about pachyderm conservation.

Asian Highlands

In June 2006, this exhibit opened with the theme of an Asian Village. It is home to Amur tigers, Amur leopards, Pallas' cats, Siberian lynx, and snow leopards.^[8]

Rocky Shores

This exhibit opened in 2012 and features a variety of animals including river otters, bald eagles, harbor seals, California sea lions, a polar bear, and three grizzly bears.^[9]

African Savanna

African Savanna opened to the public in early May 2014.^[10] Utah's Hogle Zoo welcomed back African lions and zebras in this new exhibit. The ostriches and giraffes were relocated to African Savanna. Zoo guests are also allowed to feed the giraffes.

Conservation

Conservation efforts at Hogle include a reduce, reuse, recycle program, water conservation, and earth-friendly biodegradable products. This zoo's efforts were recognized in 2005 by the Recycling Coalition of Utah and received the Thomas A. Martin Utah Recycler of the Year award for a non-profit business.^[11]

Following a June 2010 oil spill from an underground Chevron pipeline in Red Butte Creek, 150 to 200 birds, many of them Canada geese, came in contact with the oil and were taken to Hogle Zoo to be cleaned.^[12]

The majority of Utah's Hogle Zoo's animals are rescue animals as well.

References

External links

• Media related to Hogle Zoo at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website