The Saint Louis Zoological Park is a zoo in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. It is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. Admission is free, although there are fees for some attractions. One special feature is the Zooline Railroad, a small passenger train that encircles the zoo, stopping at the more popular attractions.

History

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The 1904 St. Louis World's Fair is credited for the birth of the St. Louis Zoo. The Fair brought the world's attention to St. Louis and Forest Park. The Smithsonian Institution constructed a walk-through bird cage for the World's Fair. Ten days after the World's Fair closed, the citizens of St. Louis chose to buy the 1904 World's Fair Flight Cage for $3,500, rather than have it dismantled and returned to Washington, D.C. The St. Louis Zoo was born.

By 1910, increased interest in a zoological park brought together some concerned citizens, and they organized the Zoological Society of St. Louis. In 1914 it was incorporated as an independent civic organization of people interested in a zoo.

Meanwhile, the citizens of St. Louis and surrounding municipalities expressed their diverse opinions as to the location of a zoo if there should be one. Fairgrounds Park, Carondolet Park, the Creve Coeur area and Tower Grove Park were some of the places suggested in newspaper articles and letters to the editors and to civic groups. Some concerned citizens residing near Oakland Avenue, south of Forest Park, expressed their displeasure with a zoo in the park because of the smell of the animals. Even the head of the Parks Department, Dwight Davis, voiced his opinion against Forest Park--that is, until the city set aside 77 acres in the park in which to establish a zoological park. A five-man board was appointed to act as the Zoological Board of Control.

The number increased to nine in 1916, the same year the citizens voted to tax themselves for the construction of the Saint Louis Zoo with a 1/5 mill tax. It is said that this was the first zoo in the world which the citizens of a community supported by passing a mill tax.

The zoo has featured prominent international animal experts as directors: George P. Vierheller (1922-1962), R. Marlin Perkins (1962-1970), William J. Hoff (1970-1973), Robert T. Briggs (1973-1975), Richard D. Schultz (1975-1982), Charles H. Hoessle (1982-2002), and Dr. Jeffrey P. Bonner (2002--present).

Park Zones

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Lakeside Crossing

• South entrance
• Welcome desk
• Guest services
• Hermann Fountain
• Food services
• Shopping

River's Edge exhibits

• Black Rhino, Bush Dogs, Capybaras, Anteaters
• Hippos, Red River Hogs, Carmine Bee-eaters
• Cheetahs, Hyenas
• Asian Elephants

Discovery Corner exhibits

• Children's Zoo
• Monsanto Insectarium and butterfly garden
• Education department:
  • exhibit halls
  • guest servies
  • movie theater
  • cafe
  • gift shop

The Wild exhibits

• Bear Bluffs: Here are some of the earliest examples of moated enclosures built in the 1920's. This design has been replacing bars at zoos wordwide. Made from molds taken of the limestone bluffs along the Mississippi river locally, they showcase a variety of bear species including grizzly bears and polar bears.
• Conservation Carousel: A traditional park ride, this carousel features carved animals representing protected and endangered species.
• Fragile Forest: gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutangs in a naturalized outdoor setting. Large glass "windows" allow visitors to look into the habitat furnished with live trees and tall grasses. Binoculars are onsite to give a closer view of the primates. These animals have spent most of their lives indoors and as of 2005 are still adjusting to the outdoor section of the habitat.
• Penguin and Puffin Coast: A variety of water birds are displayed in this chilly and strong smelling exhibit. A window-like half wall separates visitors from the swimming birds and allows a particularly close encounter.
• Prairie Dogs, Malayan Sun Bears
• Motion simulator

Historic Hill exhibits

• Bird house
• Bird garden
• Herpetarium containing mostly reptiles
• Sea Lion Arena
• 1904 Flight Cage and Cypress Swamp. In 1904, it was the largest bird cage ever built, and it is one of the world's largest free-flight aviaries. The 228 feet long, 84 feet wide, and 50 feet high cage was built for the St. Louis World's Fair. The Flight Cage is one of the few structures that remains from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Local pride in the giant cage motivated St. Louis to finally establish a zoo in 1910.^*
• Primate House

Red Rocks exhibits

• Big cat country
• Takin, Somali Wild Ass, Antelope
• Camels, Zebra, Okapi, Addax
• Antelope House, Giraffes, Ostriches, Kangaroos

External links

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• Saint Louis Zoo homepage
• Zoo Map

Landmarks in Missouri | St. Louis, Missouri | Zoos in the United States