Louisville Zoo
Louisville Zoo | |
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38°12′19″N 85°42′19″W / 38.20528°N 85.70528°W | |
Date opened | May 1, 1969 |
Location | Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
Land area | 134 acres (54 ha) |
No. of animals | 1,700 |
Annual visitors | 900,000+[3] |
Memberships | Association of Zoos and Aquariums,[1] American Alliance of Museums[2] |
Major exhibits | The Islands, Africa, Glacier Run, Australia, South America, HerpAquarium, Gorilla Forest, Cats of the Americas |
Public transit access | TARC |
Website | www |
The Louisville Zoological Gardens, commonly known as the Louisville Zoo, is a 134-acre (54 ha)
The Louisville Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums. The zoo over the last ten years has had annual attendance anywhere from 760,000 to 945,000 visitors.[3]
History
The Louisville Zoo opened on May 1, 1969, with 250 animals on exhibit.[4] The zoo was built on land acquired by the City of Louisville in the 1960s from the estate of Ben Collins. Much of the initial funding was donated by local philanthropist James Graham Brown.
Opening Day in 1969 mostly had exhibits with four-legged animals such as
In 1997, a fully restored
Exhibits
The Louisville Zoo has eight large exhibits: The Islands, Africa, Glacier Run, Australia, South America, HerpAquarium, Gorilla Forest, and the Cats of the Americas exhibit.
Gorilla Forest
The zoo was awarded the 2003 Association of Zoos and Aquariums Exhibit Award for its 4-acre (16,000 m2) exhibit "Gorilla Forest".[9] The exhibit currently houses a troop of eight western lowland gorillas, and a pygmy hippopotamus. Inside the circular Gorilla Sanctuary, visitors are separated only by glass and can get nose-to-nose with the gorillas.
Several different outdoor vantage points are available from which to see the gorillas playing and relaxing.[10] In October 2022 female gorilla Helen passed away, at the time of her death she was the second oldest gorilla in history being born in Cameroon in 1958, she was known as the "Grand Dame" of the gorilla world.
HerpAquarium
The HerpAquarium features over 100 species of
The Louisville Zoo currently houses a group of critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs. The zoo is working to preserve this species of frog from extinction. Their numbers have declined in the wild partly due to the chytrid fungus and habitat destruction. On March 31, 2006, the zoo added a group of seven common vampire bats obtained from the Philadelphia Zoo, and another ten from the Sedgwick County Zoo were added to the group in late May 2006. Eventually, the exhibit will house around 40 bats. The exhibit is designed to look like an old mine shaft. [12]
Islands
The zoo has a distinctive zoological exhibit called "Islands," which is the first zoological exhibit in the world that uses a system of rotating a variety of animals into one exhibit. This way, the animals can explore different habitats throughout the day, as they would in the wild. This helps to give the animals needed stimulation and heightens their awareness. Moreover, the exhibit is the first to have natural predator and prey in the same space. It has three outdoor exhibit areas and one indoor area. All animals in this exhibit are endangered or threatened species. The animals on display here change from day to day so that visitors can have a new and different experience with each visit to the zoo. The animals that can be seen in this exhibit include Sumatran tigers, orangutans, siamangs, North Sulawesi babirusas and Malayan tapirs.[13]
The zoo is home to four orangutans, two males named Teak and Segundo (aka Gunny) and two females named Amber and Bella. Amber and Teak are half-siblings sharing the same father and are
.Wallaroo Walkabout
The new Wallaroo Walkabout that opened in 2007 lets guests walk directly through the exhibit, which is home to
Glacier Run
Finished in early 2011, this 4.3-acre (1.7 ha) outdoor exhibit is based on the theme of an old gold-mining town bordered by a glacier. It features
The exhibit also includes classrooms, party rooms available for rental, viewing areas above and below water, and a 200-seat outdoor auditorium for watching animal training demonstrations. Steller's sea eagle Pytr is housed in his own aviary set behind the sea lion amphitheater going 50ft vertically. Alongside Pytr the aviary houses Azure-winged magpie, baer's pochard, and red-breasted goose in a small walk through enclosure.
Africa
This region of the zoo is based on the African Serengeti. Animals featured here include
The zoo is one of the few zoos to exhibit African and Asian elephants together in the same habitat. The zoo is home to an Asian elephant named Punch, who was born in 1970 and is currently the oldest Asian elephant in North America, and an African bush elephant named Mikki, who was born in 1985 and her son named Fitz, who was born in 2019. In 2022 the giraffe yard underwent a renovation replacing the fence and outdoor holding, the new exhibit is set to house multiple birds alongside the giraffes like white stork and Rüppell's vulture.
Cats of the Americas
This part of the zoo is next to the South America exhibit, and it has all rescued animals that cannot be returned to the wild. The animals include Canada lynxes, bald eagles, and pumas.
South America
This exhibit of the zoo has animals from the Andes grasslands and Amazon rainforest of South America along with a botanical garden area. The animals contained in this exhibit include Chilean flamingos, maned wolves, Linnaeus's two-toed sloths, jaguars, and hyacinth macaws. In fall of 2022 the original hyacinth macaw aviary from 1969 was demolished and is being fully renovated, it is set to re-open in spring of 2023. In 2023 46 new Chilean Flamingos are to join the flock from the San Diego Zoo, with these additions the flock will be one of the largest captive flocks in the world.
Kentucky Trails
A roughly $30 million Upland South Safari known Kentucky trails, built over roughly 20 acres in an under-developed portion of the property, the area will be dedicated to animals from North America. Kentucky Trails is being built in partnership with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to house and exhibit native animals from the Appalachian and Cumberland Gap regions. Notable enclosers include two rotational Great Plains inspired woodlands that will house American bison, elk, American black bears, bobcats and other native animals. A large Rickhouse Hall inspired education center and restaurant is also to be built. Breaking ground is set in 2023 with the exhibit expected to open in 2025.[18]
- Mammals
Western lowland gorilla | Black-and-white colobus | Chinchilla | Domestic ferret
|
Orangutan | Siamang | African lion
|
Cougar |
Jaguar | Canadian lynx
|
Amur tiger
|
Grizzly bear |
African elephant | Asian elephant | Addax | Hartmann's mountain zebra |
Masai giraffe | Common woolly monkey | Polar bear | Babirusa |
Bongo | Rodrigues fruit bat
|
Vampire bat | Dromedary camel
|
Domestic rabbit | Black-footed ferret | Guanaco | Four-toed hedgehog |
Pygmy hippopotamus | African pygmy goat
|
Meerkat | Naked mole-rat |
Virginia opossum | Brazilian porcupine | White rhinoceros | Nigerian Dwarf goat |
Grey seal | California sea lion | Malayan tapir | Sumatran tiger |
Wallaroo | Red-necked wallaby | Warthog | Maned wolf |
Three-banded Armadillo
|
Harbor seal | Ringtailed lemur
|
Snow leopard |
Nubian goat
|
- Reptiles and Amphibians
- Birds
- Fish
Bucktooth tetra | Green severum
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Silver arowana | Redhook metunnis
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African lungfish | Banded archer fish | Banded lepornus | Lookdown |
Silver moony
|
French grunt | Red-bellied piranha | Largemouth bass |
Redear sunfish | Bluegill | African moony
|
Spanish hogfish |
Spotted gar | Longnose gar | Dolphin catfish |
- Arthropods
Gallery
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African lion
-
African pygmy falcon
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Western lowland gorilla
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Mhorr gazelle
Notable individual animals
- Mojo, a patas monkey previously owned by NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, was given to the zoo on August 24, 2007, when he became too aggressive to keep as a pet.[19]
- Scotty, an African elephant born on March 18, 2007, was the first elephant born in Kentucky. Scotty died on May 12, 2010, when he was only three years old, due to severe gastric and intestinal problems.[20][21][22]
- The Louisville Zoo has hand-raised three baby
- The zoo is also home to several black-footed ferrets, and participates in the black-footed ferret breeding program. The ferrets are one of the most endangered species in North America.[citation needed]
- Bakari (whose name is Swahili for hopeful) the Masai giraffe was born on February 17, 2009, with angular limb deformity, and had periosteal stripping[clarification needed] performed on his leg. He is believed to be the first giraffe to undergo this procedure.[25]
- Born in 2011 in Alaska polar bear Qannik was found orphaned on Alaska's North Slope. The Alaska Zoo quickly sprang into action and captured the young cub, during this time the zoo was building Glacier Run and this new exhibit was deemed an ideal place for the new cub to go to by the AZA. Soon with the partnership of UPS the cub was transported via air to the zoo in what was known as "Operation Snowflake".[26]
- In June 2013, the Louisville Zoo organized a contest to name the first zebra foal to be born at the zoo in 13 years.[27] The foal was ultimately named Ziva, after the fictional character Ziva David from the television series NCIS.[28][29]
- On October 23, 2014, the zoo announced that their 11-year-old reticulated python, Thelma, had produced six healthy baby snakes in 2012 without any prior interaction with a male. She is the first known individual of her species (the world's largest species of snake) to have done so in captivity.[30] It had initially been thought that the offspring were produced from long-stored sperm, until genetic testing showed that the neonates were "half clones" – i.e., she was their only genetic parent.[30]
Events
The Louisville Zoo offers multiple chances to enjoy the zoo after normal operating hours. One of the most popular after-hours events is the "World's Largest Halloween Party". This event is held on October 31 yearly and is Halloween themed. Another popular event is "Brew at the Zoo", which is an event that brings together local restaurants and craft beer vendors. Live entertainment is also provided. This event is typically in August and regularly sells out. The zoo has a booth called "Handimals" located by the entrance where kids can make an animal out of their hand prints. Often when an animal is born in the zoo, the zoo holds a contest where participants send in ideas for names.
Incidents
On July 1, 1994, a man was picked up and dropped several times by an African elephant named Kenya. As a result of the man's injuries, his spleen and part of his pancreas were removed. The elephant had just finished giving rides to zoo visitors and was being led away when she wandered off and picked up the man. Zoo officials said that the elephant, who was normally considered calm and docile, was just "horsing around".[31]
On June 1, 2009, the zoo train derailed. Three open-air cars and the engine went off the tracks and caused the passenger car to topple over, due to excessive speed and operator inexperience.[32] The incident injured 22 people. An Indiana family that was on the train when the accident happened sued the Louisville Zoo. Amy and Darren Bamforth filed the lawsuit on June 10, 2009. Another family in Louisville who was on the train, also filed a suit. They sought unspecified monetary damages as well as a court order preventing the zoo from altering or destroying the train while the lawsuit proceeds. A spokesman for the zoo declined to comment. The zoo train was closed for four years. On July 2, 2013, the zoo train reopened to the public after buying new trains and investing in expanded training procedures. All legal actions regarding the incident were concluded as of October 2015.[32]
On March 6, 2019, the zoo founded a sinkhole after a roof mine collapsed in an undeveloped area near Mega Cavern.[33] The two trains were sold at auction in 2021, one to Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas and one to Bourbon Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Kentucky.[34]
See also
- List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area
- List of parks in the Louisville metropolitan area
- Senning's Park, Louisville's first zoo
References
- ^ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- AAM. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ a b Costello, Darcy. "Louisville Zoo could be run by a private group in the future. Here's what to know". Courier Journal.
- ^ "1969". louisvillezoo.org. Louisville Zoo. March 5, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Louisville Zoo trains will keep chugging at a different zoo — and a bourbon distillery". December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Louisville Zoo, Louisville, KY". National Carousel Association. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- ^ Karman, John (September 6, 2007). "Beating the heat: Zoo's baby animals, new Splash Park drive attendance up in spite of heat wave". American City Business Journals. Advance Publications. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Nash, Martin (April 13, 2011). "Polar bears move in at Louisville Zoo". Leisure Management. Leisure Management. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ "The Louisville Zoo Wins Coveted AZA Exhibit Award". Archived from the original on February 11, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2006.
- ^ "Inside Gorilla Forest". Louisville Zoo (official website). Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Rare white alligator". Louisville Zoo (official website). Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Furry little blood suckers now at Zoo". Louisville Zoo (official website). Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Islands Rotational Exhibit". Louisville Zoo (official website). Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Media Release, Worlds first captive hatching". Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Lorikeet Landing". Louisville Zoo (official website). Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "City News". louisvilleky.gov.
- ^ "Glacier Run". Archived from the original on October 16, 2012.
- ^ "Kentucky Trails". Louisville Zoo. April 20, 2022.
- ^ "Tony Stewart's former pet monkey, Mojo, now resides at the Louisville Zoo". Archived from the original on June 30, 2008.
- ^ "Baby Elephant, First to be born in Louisville". Louisville Zoo (official website). Archived from the original on May 30, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
- Fox 41. Archived from the originalon July 30, 2012.
- ^ "Deceased elephants at Louisville Zoo in United States". elephant.se. Koehl D, Elephant Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "Siamang death investigation complete". Louisville Zoo (official website). February 28, 2008. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "Raising Baby Siamangs". Louisville Zoo (official website). Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "Giraffe Baby Update". Louisville Zoo (official website). March 17, 2009. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ^ "OPERATION SNOWFLAKE - Qannik the Polar Bear Cub". louisvillezoo.org. January 12, 2015.
- ^ Bard, Cynthia (June 26, 2013). "The Louisville Zoo would like to introduce...Ziva!". Louisville. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- The Courier-Journal. June 26, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ "Latest zebra at Louisville Zoo now has a name". WDRB. June 26, 2013. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Feltman, Rachel (October 24, 2014). "A virgin birth has been confirmed in a reticulated python – a first for the species". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
- ^ http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/pdf/Elephant-Incident-List-US-only.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ a b Lovan, Dylan (October 1, 2015). "Louisville Settles Zoo Train Accident With Remaining Victims for $6M". Insurance Journal. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ "'It's an act of nature.' Massive sinkhole forms at Louisville Zoo". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ Roldan, Roberto (December 3, 2021). "Louisville Zoo trains will keep chugging at a different zoo — and a bourbon distillery". Louisville Public Media. Retrieved June 13, 2023.