Milwaukee County Zoo

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Milwaukee County Zoo
Main Entrance
Map
43°1′57.5724″N 88°2′14.64″W / 43.032659000°N 88.0374000°W / 43.032659000; -88.0374000
Date openedJanuary 16, 1892
(Washington Park site)
May 13, 1961
(current site)[1]
Location10001 W. Bluemound Rd.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Land area200 acres (81 ha)[1]
No. of animals3,100[2]
No. of species350[2]
Annual visitors1.3 million[2]
MembershipsAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums[3]
Major exhibitsAviary
Apes of Africa/Primates of the World
Aquatic and Reptile Center
Small Mammal Building
Large Mammals
Northwestern Mutual Family Farm
Public transit accessBus transport MCTS
Bus transport Waukesha Metro
Websitewww.milwaukeezoo.org

The Milwaukee County Zoo is a

polar bears[5] and siamangs[6] in captivity and for their locally famous gorilla Samson, who lived from 1950 to 1981 and whose bones are now on display at the Milwaukee Public Museum. During World War II, a celebrity animal of the zoo was Gertie the Duck and her ducklings.[7] The zoo is also home to one of the largest group of bonobos in one location outside their native Democratic Republic of the Congo,[8] and has two cheetahs from the National Zoo in Washington, DC.[9]

History

The Washington Park Zoo

Lion exhibit, 1937

The

Washington Park Zoo and two years later, the zoo was expanded to 23 acres (9.3 ha).[13][14]

Even with the

Washington Park Zoo was beginning to show its age.[17] A reptile exhibit was opened in the main zoo building in 1942.[18] George Speidel, zoo director at this time, began planning a new zoo.[19]

The Milwaukee County Zoo

Zebras at the zoo, 1949

Although still located in

Washington Park, the zoo changed its name to the Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens in 1953.[20] Fundraising took place in 1956 to offset the estimated cost for building the new zoo of US$12.6 million. The Milwaukee County Zoo opened in 1958 with the primate building, monkey island, feline house, pachyderm mall, and grizzly bear den. The zoo also opened with a 15 in (381 mm) gauge miniature railway, the Zoo Line, which carried visitors around the zoo to view the exhibits and construction.[21] The Zoo Line (now known as the Safari Train) has continued to run, operating with real steam locomotives. In 1959, construction started on the dall sheep mountain and the Alaskan bear exhibit.[22] On May 13, 1961, the Milwaukee County Zoo officially opened to the public.[23]

Later additions included the aviary (1962),[24] the Australian building (1963), the original animal hospital (1963),[25] the small mammal building (1965), the aquarium (1968), and the reptile building (1968).[26] In 1965, four Zoomobile tour trains were donated by Allis-Chalmers.[27] This was followed by the children's zoo (1971),[28] and the polar bear underwater viewing exhibit (1986).[29] In 1986, the children's zoo was renamed the Stackner Heritage Farm, and a dairy complex was constructed as part of it, to celebrate Wisconsin as America's Dairyland. The complex included a cow barn, education center, and dairy store.[30] In 1988, the Taylor Family Humboldt penguin exhibit, the education center, and the Peck Welcome Center opened.[31]

Mandrillus sphinx exhibit

In the following years, the renovated sea lion exhibit, featuring underwater viewing, opened,[32] and the aviary was renovated.[33] More recent changes include the addition of the Sterns Family Apes of Africa exhibit (1992),[34] the renovation of the aquarium and reptile building (now known as the Aquatic and Reptile Center),[35] the renovation of the small mammal building (1998), and the addition of the Wong Family Pheasantry (1998).[36] In 2002, Monkey Island was renovated to include a large deck for viewing, and was renamed Macaque Island.[37] 2003 saw a newly remodeled animal health center;[38] 2004, a new education center;[39] and 2005 and 2006, the remodeling of the Heritage Farm, feline building, and giraffe exhibit.[40][41]

The zoo's newest construction plan was a new West Entrance with a gift shop and a new North American river otter exhibit, due to the small size of the existing tank in the Small Mammal House building, in addition a new parking lot, in order to facilitate reconstruction and reconfiguration due to the rebuilding of the Zoo Interchange to the southeast of the zoo property by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.[42]

Exhibits

Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin Pool

This is an exhibit near the zoo's Main Entrance. This fifteen-thousand gallon tank features a group of

Humboldt penguins with underwater viewing glass surrounding it.[43]

Herb and Nada Mahler Family Aviary

Exterior of the Herb and Nada Mahler Family Aviary

The

pigeons and herons.[46]

Stearns Family Apes of Africa

A foraging gorilla in the Sterns Building at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Opened in 1992 at the cost of $10.7 million, this indoor building features a large troop of bonobos and gorillas.[44] The zoo maintains a bonobo breeding program with one of the largest collections of bonobos in professional care in the world.[47] Both species have access to indoor and outdoor exhibits.

As of 2018, the zoo will have a total of four Western lowland gorillas, after the death of 31-year-old dominant male Cassius and 17-year-old Naku in April.[48]

Primates of the World

Adjacent to Apes of Africa, this exhibit showcases

black-handed spider monkeys in a gallery-style exhibit.[44][46] For many years, Samson, the largest gorilla in professional care, was showcased in the Primates of the World building.[49]
The zoo featured one of the first births of a Siamang in professional care.

Macaque Island

Macaque Island features a troop of Japanese macaques. It is a large mountain surrounded by water. It was remodeled in 2002 to include a large viewing deck for zoo guests and an expanded shelter for the resident macaques, with waterfalls and a larger mountain.[37]

Aquatic and Reptile Center

This building holds

red-tailed boas, panther chameleons, several poison dart frogs, tomato frogs, king cobras, several other species of reptiles, amphibians, freshwater and saltwater fish.[46]

Small Mammal Building

This building, located near the Aquatic and Reptile Center, features a special room for nocturnal species that is darkened in the day and brightened at night so the animals live on a schedule friendly to zoo visitors. Residents include

Goeldi's monkeys, cotton-top tamarins, golden lion tamarins and a larger exhibit for Hoffmann's two-toed sloths.[46] Other species are sometimes rotated in and out, such as the zoo's red pandas
during construction of the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country building in 2004.

North America

Harbor Seal, Milwaukee County Zoo, 2021

A series of outdoor exhibits themed around the megafauna of the North American continent featuring

American elk, trumpeter swan, harbor seal, prairie dog, American badger, and reindeer.[46]
Many of these species like the reindeer and the grizzlys are displayed in predator-prey "panorama" exhibits, which make them appear to share the space via a hidden moat.

Northwestern Mutual Family Farm

The newly renovated children's zoo with a focus on native midwestern United States wildlife and educational presentations, featuring species such as

Holstein Friesian cattle, Milking Shorthorns, Scottish highland cattle and other farm animals such as Sicilian donkey, chickens, goats, rabbits and horses
.

Africa/Asia/South America Mixed Exhibits

Jaguar at the zoo

A series out of outdoor exhibits featuring animals from

Thomson's gazelles, southern ground hornbills and an outdoor predator/prey setup yard for cheetahs, an exhibit for red river hogs, an indoor exhibit for servals, and an exhibit for reticulated giraffes
.

South American species include

Domestic yaks.[46] The Giraffe House, part of the same exhibit area, was renovated in 2006, allowing visitors to climb a deck and come face-to-face with the zoo's reticulated giraffe herd and even feed them.[41] The giraffe exhibit is also an exhibit that remains the same at the Adventure Africa exhibit, and in the middle of the enclosures is a building called the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat country which has indoor and outdoor areas for the African lions, cheetahs, servals, hyenas, tigers, snow leopards, red pandas, and jaguars.[46]

Adventure Africa

Elephant Care Center

Adventure Africa phases 1 and 2 opened in spring of 2019 and the summer of 2020. The first phase is a new home for

eastern bongos and crested guineafowl The second phase is a new hippo enclosure called the hippo haven, which has education boards around the exhibit, and an underwater viewing for their Hippopotamuses
.

Adventure Africa phase 3 will be the final phase to the adventure Africa master plan, and it will include a new exhibit that will have a conversion to the old elephant and current rhino habitats, and turn them it into a new space for the zoo's

Scimitar horned oryx.[51]

Otter Passage

Opened in Spring 2018, the otter passage is home to a group of river otters in a large exhibit with two pools for underwater viewing. It opened alongside the new West Entrance and acts similar to the Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin Pool in that is an introduction exhibit depending on which entrance visitors choose to go through.

Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Gallery

This building is dedicated to special or traveling exhibits.[52][53]

Other Facilities

Safari Train

The Safari Train, 2009

The 15 in (381 mm) gauge rideable miniature railway, first opened in 1958, continues to transport guests around the zoo when weather allows.

The railroad began operations using

Milwaukee Journal for the zoo. The #82 was later joined by #1958,[54] a diesel locomotive built in 1959, followed by two additional steam locomotives: #1916, a 4-4-2 locomotive built in 1961, and #1924, a 4-6-2
locomotive built for the zoo in 1977.

The #82 was eventually withdrawn, due to being too small to pull the longer trains the zoo needed to handle the crowds, and was placed on display. In 1989, the zoo loaned #82 to the recently rebuilt Riverside and Great Northern Railway, and later traded the engine to the R&GN for a second diesel, #1992.[55]

In March 2024, it was announced that the two steam locomotives would be retired and replaced by two new diesel locomotives. The steam locomotives will be sold to the Riverside and Great Northern Railway.[56]

Child friendly areas

Penzeys Carousel
  • Playground[57]
  • Treehouse area[57]
  • Dinosaur exhibit (seasonal)[57]
  • Sky Trail® Ropes Courses & Zip Line[58]
  • Ski Safari[58]
  • Zoo Mobile[58]
  • Penzeys Carousel

Gallery

  • Butterfly Garden
    Butterfly Garden
  • African elephant (Loxodonta)
    African elephant (Loxodonta)
  • Giraffes at the zoo
    Giraffes at the zoo
  • Peacock
    Peacock
  • Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Building
    Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Building
  • Thomson's gazelle
    Thomson's gazelle
  • Lion
    Lion
  • King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
    King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
  • Zebra
    Zebra
  • Hippo
    Hippo

References

  1. ^ a b "Milwaukee County Zoo-About Us". Milwaukeezoo.org. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e Diliberti-Shea, Jennifer. "Go behind the scenes at the Milwaukee County Zoo to be educated and entertained". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  3. ^ a b "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". AZA.org. Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
  4. ^ "Media: Zoo Facts | Milwaukee County Zoo". www.milwaukeezoo.org. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  5. ^ "International Polar Bear Husbandry Conference Proceedings". Archived from the original on June 21, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
  6. ^ "The New Milwaukee County Zoo ~ 1961–1984 – 1962". Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
  7. ^ "Animal-Human Relations | Encyclopedia of Milwaukee". emke.uwm.edu. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  8. ^ "Animal Division: Individual Conservation and Research Projects – Bonobos". Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
  9. ^ "Meet the Zoo's Cheetahs". Archived from the original on July 16, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
  10. ^ "Building the Washington Park Zoo ~ 1892–1927 – 1892". Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  11. ^ "1893". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  12. ^ "1899". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  13. ^ "1900". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  14. ^ "1902". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  15. ^ "1930". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  16. ^ "1931". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  17. ^ "1937". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  18. ^ "1942". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  19. ^ "1947". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  20. ^ "1953". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  21. ^ "1958". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  22. ^ "1959". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 13, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  23. ^ "1961". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  24. ^ "1962". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 12, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  25. ^ "1963". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  26. ^ "1968". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  27. ^ "1965". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  28. ^ "1971". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  29. ^ "1986". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  30. ^ "1987". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  31. ^ "1988". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  32. ^ "1990". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 13, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  33. ^ "1991". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  34. ^ "1992". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  35. ^ "1995". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  36. ^ "1998". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  37. ^ a b "2002". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  38. ^ "2003". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 13, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  39. ^ "2004". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  40. ^ a b "2005". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  41. ^ a b "2006". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on January 16, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  42. ^ "Milwaukee County Zoo Plans $7 million New West Entrance". BizJournals.com. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  43. ^ "Meet the Animals: Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin Exhibit". Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  44. ^ a b c d "Listings of Animals". Milwaukeezoo.org. Archived from the original on October 26, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  45. ^ "WANT TO GET AWAY THIS WINTER?". Milwaukee Zoo. November 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  46. ^ a b c d e f g h "Milwaukee County Zoo Animals" (PDF). Milwaukeezoo.org. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  47. ^ "Milwaukeezoo.org". Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  48. ^ "Milwaukee County Zoo's baby gorilla will be moved to a different zoo".
  49. ^ "Memories of Samson the Gorilla". Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  50. ^ "THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO TO OPEN ADVENTURE AFRICA PHASE I: ELEPHANT EXHIBIT". Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  51. ^ "ADVENTURE AFRICA PHASE I: ELEPHANT EXHIBIT". Archived from the original on July 27, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  52. ^ "More than 500 butterflies flutter in new Zoo exhibit". OnMilwaukee. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  53. ^ "Milwaukee Zoo To Debut LEGO-Inspired Dinosaur Exhibit". Patch. May 17, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  54. ^ "Sandley Light Railway Equipment Co". donsdepot.donrossgroup.net. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  55. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  56. ^ "Milwaukee County Zoo railroad replacing steam engines". Trains. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  57. ^ a b c Schwabe, Amy (June 29, 2018). "From a Mold-a-Rama souvenir to a baby animal tour, here's what you can do with your kids at the Milwaukee County Zoo". JSonline.com. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  58. ^ a b c "HAVE A WILD TIME!". Milwaukee Zoo. Milwaukee County Zoo. Retrieved June 22, 2019.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Milwaukee County Zoo.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Milwaukee_County_Zoo&oldid=1214820592"