Zoo_History_and_Basics Flashcards
(39 cards)
Q: First recorded method of displaying common/exotic animals in captivity?
A menagerie: a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition
Mostly connected with an aristocratic or royal court; situated within a garden or park of a palace.
Aristocrats’ intentions not primarily scientific or educational
Illustrated aristocrats’/royals’ power and wealth.
Q: What was considered the first formal zoo
15th century BC, the menagerie of Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt
Had hippos, hartebeest, elephants, wild cats, and contained first giraffe ever seen in Egypt.
Q: What (broad) group popularized exotic animal keeping? When?
Europeans during the Middle Ages
Q: What was the most impressive of the royal zoos in 18th century Europe? Notable features?
Palace of Versaille, built by Louis XIV of France.
Considered the first zoological garden and was the first bona fide public zoo.
Had many innovative ideas including camouflaging cages and arranging enclosures in circular manor around a central courtyard.
Q: Oldest zoo still in existence
Tiergarten Schonbrunn, opened in Vienna Austria in 1752.
Initially built for imperial family and court
Made accessible to public in 1779.
Evolved into the Vienna Zoo
Q: First American zoo?
Philadelphia zoo was charted in 1859, but opening was delayed for 15 years due to the civil war.
Central Park Zoo opened in 1864 and also claims to be first.
When Philadelphia Zoo opened in 1874, there were 3,000 guest on first day. Mission: Conservation, research, education and recreation.
Q: Early methods for exhibiting animals?
Haphazard, bare barred cages, individual specimens of each species. Ignored animal’s social behavior/structure. Focus on keeping animals in view, and cost/efficiency.
Q: Who is considered the father of the modern zoo?
Carl Hagenbeck (1844 – 1913)
German merchant of wild animals
Supplied many European zoos and P. T. Barnum.
Created the modern zoo [see other card for description]
Q: Name some characteristics of the “modern” zoo that Carl Hagenbeck created
-Animal enclosures without bars that were closer to their natural habitat.
-More spacious enclosures for animals to move around.
-Used ditches and moats to separate animals from visitors
-Designed the tiergarten outside Hamburg in 1902 that became the blueprint for zoos of the future.
-Eventually, these naturalistic landscapes contained groups of mixed species.
-Visitor immersed in natural or recreated habitat.
Q: What was the zoo originally called? When did the name change?
The Herbert Fleishhacker Zoo (named after founder)
Name officially changed to the “San Francisco Zoological Gardens” on February 27, 1941 (following suggestion of Fleishhacker)
In 2014, official name became the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens to reflect the bountiful gardens and plentiful plants.
Q: How much land does the zoo occupy?
100 acres
Q: When were the major zoo exhibit structures initially built? At what cost?
1930s and 1940s as part of a depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA) project at a cost of $3.5 million.
Q: What was the Works Progress Administration?
Former federal agency (1935–43) charged with instituting and administering public works to relieve national unemployment during Great Depression.
Q: Which structures were part of the initial exhibits built as part of a WPA project? What was notable about them?
10 structures including Monkey Island, Lion House, Elephant House, a sea lion pool, an aviary, and bear grottos. [Also Penguin Island? Slide is unclear.]
These spacious, moated enclosures were among the first bar-less exhibits in the country.
Q: What is the SF Zoological Society?
Private, non-profit, membership organization dedicated to increasing interest, concern and knowledge about wildlife.
Q: The primary purpose of the Zoo Docent Council?
Provide educational services in conjunction with Zoo’s education department.
Q: History of the SF Zoological Society?
-1954, founded.
-1968, Zoo Docent Council established. [purpose on separate card]
-1993 (Oct.), SFZS entered into a new partnership with the city of San Francisco and through a lease agreement, now manages the entire zoo. [details on separate card]
-Since then, the SFZS has made dramatic improvements and rebuilt exhibits throughout the Zoo.
Q: Describe the relationship between the organization(s) running/funding the zoo
-SF Zoological Society manages the entire zoo (entered into a new partnership with the city of San Francisco in 1993 and, through a lease agreement, now manages the entire zoo.)
-City continues to partially fund zoo and participate in decision making on major projects and policies.
-Zoo is governed under the Recreation and Park Commission and a Board of Directors governs the Society.
-A Joint Zoo Committee is made up of three members of the Recreation and Park Commission and three members of the Board, which oversees policy and provides a public forum.
-The joint operation is funded through gate admission fees, retail sales, Membership dues, contributions, and direct support from the City.
Q: Name the major SFZG regions (animal-focused regions only) (just names, details on separate cards)
African Region
Lipman Lemur Forest (+ Great Ape Passage)
Cat Kingdom
Bear Country
South America
Outback Trail
Exploration Zone
Q: Name some areas of the zoo besides animal exhibits that are worth highlighting (just names, details on separate cards)
Greenie’s Conservation Corner
Gail’s Fragrance Garden
Elinor Friend Playground + Animal Sculpture Learning Plaza
Q: When did the Lion House open?
1940, one of the original 1935 WPA projects.
Q: Notable features of Zoo’s habitat for Giraffes, Zebras, etc.
The African Savanna (inside African Region) is a 2.5 acre mixed-species exhibit with mammals and birds.
Keepers have the ability to separate the space into two halves for animal management. The space demonstrates herd dynamics and the exhibit itself promotes enrichment.
Q: Notable features of our lemur habitat
The Lipman Lemur Forest is the largest outdoor lemur habitat in the country.
One of the only ones to give lemurs access to climb numerous large, natural trees throughout the exhibit.
Multi-species habitat exhibits the plight of lemurs in Madagascar and brings global awareness to Madagascar as a biodiversity hotspot.
Q: What is Greenie’s Conservation Corner?
(located south of Great Ape Passage)
A garden that demonstrates energy and water conservation and sustainable growing practices.
Lively, sustainable space interactively engages visitors and helps inspire “green” practices at home, school, and within the community.
Was unveiled as part of the Earth Day celebration in 2010.
