Milwaukee
County Zoo
The Milwaukee Zoo contains 1800 animals housed
on 200 acres, famous for the first birth of polar bears and
siamangs that were held in captivity, as well as being the home
for the biggest group of bonobos in a single location that is
outside their native Democratic Republic of the Congo and two
the National Zoo's world renown cheetahs. Originally opened as
the West Park Zoo in 1892, showcasing smaller mammals and birds,
adding two cinnamon bears in the next year, with a new iron bear
den. In 1899, it would construct a herbivore building that would
contain various animals, becoming the Washington Park Zoo in
1900 and enlarged to 23 acres in 1902. During the Great
Depression, the zoo would continue to grow and expand, opening a
bear den that looked more natural, and by 1931, it would house
some 37 specimens. The zoo was starting to show its age and
condition by 1937, although it would open a reptile exhibit in
the main building in 1942. In 1953, the zoo would change its
name once more, to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County,
even though it was still situated in Washington Park.
Fundraising for a new zoo began in earnest in 1956, and the new
Milwaukee County Zoo opened in 1958 containing a feline house,
grizzly bear den, primate building, monkey island and pachyderm
mall; as well as a miniature train line called the Zoo line. It
would carry visitors around the zoo to see their displays and
construction works, with an Alaskan bear exhibit and dall sheep
mountain being started in 1959. In 1961, the Milwaukee County
Zoo opened to the public, with eventual additions in the way of
an aviary in 1962, Australian building in in 1963, original
animal hospital in 1963, small mammal house in 1965, aquarium in
1968, reptile house in 1968, and children's zoo in 1971. The
fabulous polar bear underwater viewing display opened in 1986.
During 1965, four Zoomobile tour trains were donated by
Allis-Chalmers, and in 1986, the children's zoo would become the
Stackner Heritage Farm, with a marvelous dairy complex built to
showcase the state's fame as America's Dairyland. Current
exhibits include; aquatic and reptile center, Taylor Family
Humboldt penguins, Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits
Gallery, Herb and Nada Mahler Family Aviary, Macque Island,
Stern Family Apes of Africa and Primates of the world.
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