History of San Diego Zoo in Timeline

The San Diego Zoo, located in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, is renowned for its open-air, cage-less exhibits that simulate natural animal habitats. Founded by Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, it originated from a collection of animals remaining after the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The zoo is considered a pioneer in its innovative approach to animal enclosures, prioritizing the well-being and natural behaviors of its diverse animal population.

1915: Harry M. Wegeforth hears a lion's roar

In 1915, Harry M. Wegeforth was inspired to start a zoo after hearing a lion roar at the Panama–California Exposition.

1915: Exotic animal exhibitions after the Panama-California Exposition

In 1915, the San Diego Zoo grew out of exotic animal exhibitions abandoned after the Panama–California Exposition.

1915: Zoo origins at the Panama-California Exposition

In 1915, the San Diego Zoo's origins began with a collection of animals left over from the Panama–California Exposition. Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth later brought these animals together to officially establish the zoo.

October 2, 1916: Zoological Society of San Diego Founded

On October 2, 1916, Harry M. Wegeforth founded the Zoological Society of San Diego, initially following precedents set by the New York Zoological Society at the Bronx Zoo.

August 1921: Land Set Aside in Balboa Park

In August 1921, a permanent tract of land in Balboa Park was allocated for the San Diego Zoo, with the city retaining ownership of the animals.

1922: First Cageless Lion Exhibit Opens

In 1922, the first cageless lion area, featuring moated exhibits without enclosing wires, opened at the San Diego Zoo.

June 13, 1923: Frank Buck Becomes Zoo Director

On June 13, 1923, animal collector Frank Buck was appointed as the director of the San Diego Zoo under a three-year contract with Harry M. Wegeforth.

1923: Scripps Aviary Built

In 1923, the Scripps Aviary was built at the San Diego Zoo, housing various colorful birds from Africa.

1925: Belle Benchley Appointed Executive Secretary

In 1925, Belle Benchley was appointed as the executive secretary, effectively the zoo director, before receiving the actual title a few years later.

1925: ZooNooz Publication Commences

In early 1925, the ZooNooz publication was first released, marking the beginning of the zoo's official newsletter.

1926: Spanish Revival-style research hospital

In 1926, the Spanish Revival-style research hospital was built and designed by Louis John Gill, for which Gill received an Honor Award from the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

1937: World's Largest Bird Cage

In 1937, Louis John Gill designed a bird cage at the zoo, which became the largest bird cage in the world at that time.

October 1938: Giraffes Arrive from British East Africa

In October 1938, the San Diego Zoo received two giraffes, Lofty and Patches, transported from British East Africa. They survived the Hurricane of 1938 during their 54-day journey at sea.

1940: Malayan Tapir Escapes

In 1940, a Malayan Tapir at the San Diego Zoo repeatedly escaped, earning the nickname "Terrible Trudy".

1941: Wegeforth's Presidency Ends

In 1941, Harry M. Wegeforth's tenure as president of the Zoological Society of San Diego concluded after serving since its inception.

1953: Belle Benchley's Directorship Ends

In 1953, Belle Benchley concluded her tenure as the zoo director, being succeeded by Dr. Charles Schroeder.

1959: Lofty's Death

In 1959, Lofty the giraffe passed away due to old age.

1962: Patches' Death

In 1962, Patches the giraffe passed away due to old age.

1969: Skyfari Gondola Lift Built

In 1969, the Skyfari, an overhead gondola lift providing an aerial view of the zoo, was built by the Von Roll tramway company of Bern, Switzerland. The San Diego Zoo Skyfari is a Von Roll type 101.

1973: Cascade Canyon Opens

In 1973, Cascade Canyon opened as an exhibit area.

1975: Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES) Founded

In 1975, the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES) was established at the San Diego Zoo, with Kurt Benirschke as its inaugural director.

1977: Tasmanian Devil Escape and Capture

In 1977, a Tasmanian devil escaped from the San Diego Zoo and was captured in a south-central San Diego home's garage by Tom Van Wagner, a former zoo employee.

1979: Absence of African Penguins

There has been no colony of African penguins in the zoo since 1979.

1982: Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits Opens

In 1982, the "Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits" opened at the San Diego Zoo.

1982: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Manages California Condor Program

In 1982, with only 22 California Condors remaining due to poaching, lead poisoning, and habitat destruction, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance was granted permission to begin the management of the first propagation program for the California Condor.

November 1984: Exhibition of Sichuan Snub-Nosed Monkeys

In November 1984, a Chinese delegation brought a pair of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys to the San Diego Zoo for a 13-day exhibition, marking the first time golden snub-nosed monkeys were exhibited abroad.

1988: Tiger Trail Opens

In 1988, Tiger Trail opened, housing Malayan tiger brothers and various bird species.

1989: Exhibit Opens Featuring Sun Bears and Other Animals

In 1989, a $3.5 million exhibit opened featuring Bornean sun bears, François' langurs, White-cheeked gibbons, and Aye-ayes.

1991: Gorilla Tropics Opens

In 1991, Gorilla Tropics opened, simulating the rainforests of central Africa with an 8,000-square-foot enclosure for gorillas.

1996: Polar Bear Plunge Opens

In 1996, the Polar Bear Plunge exhibit opened at the San Diego Zoo.

September 1, 1997: Albino Koala Born

On September 1, 1997, the world's only albino koala in a zoological facility was born at the San Diego Zoo and named Onya-Birri.

1999: Hua Mei Born

In 1999, Hua Mei, the first giant panda cub in U.S. history to be born in the U.S. and survive into adulthood, was born at the San Diego Zoo to parents Bai Yun and Shi Shi.

1999: Ituri Forest Exhibit Opens

In 1999, the 'Ituri Forest' exhibit opened, recreating the rainforests of central Africa and housing various animal species, including hippopotamus.

2000: Animal Species Count

In 2000, the total number of animal species in the San Diego Zoo collection was around 860.

2000: Safari Park acreage

San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a nearly 2000-acre park located 30 miles northeast of the Zoo near Escondido.

2003: Mei Sheng Born

In 2003, Mei Sheng, the second giant panda cub to be born in the U.S. and survive into adulthood, was born at the San Diego Zoo to parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao.

2003: Orangutan Exhibit Renovation Opens

In 2003, the former "Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits" were renovated into an orangutan exhibit.

2005: CRES Renamed and Reorganized

In 2005, CRES was renamed the Division of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species and placed under the direction of Allison Alberts to better reflect its mission.

2005: Monkey Trails Opens

In 2005, Monkey Trails opened at the San Diego Zoo, replacing the decades-old Ape and Bird Mesa exhibits.

2006: Last Baby Red Panda Born

Before the birth of Adira's cub, the last baby red panda at the San Diego Zoo was born in 2006.

May 23, 2009: Elephant Odyssey Opens

On May 23, 2009, Elephant Odyssey opened, featuring a large elephant habitat and exhibits of ancient creatures of Southern California.

2009: CRES Expanded into Institute for Conservation Research

In 2009, CRES underwent significant expansion and was renamed the Institute for Conservation Research.

March 2010: Polar Bear Plunge Renovation

In March 2010, the Polar Bear Plunge exhibit was renovated.

July 29, 2012: Xiao Liwu Born

On July 29, 2012, Xiao Liwu, meaning "little gift", was born at the San Diego Zoo.

January 9, 2013: Xiao Liwu Shown to Visitors

On January 9, 2013, Xiao Liwu was introduced to visitors at the San Diego Zoo.

March 2013: Hyena Escape and Lockdown

In March 2013, the San Diego Zoo initiated a lockdown during a private party after two striped hyenas escaped their enclosure and were subsequently sedated and returned to veterinary care.

May 2013: Australian Outback Area "Koalafornia" Opens

In May 2013, a new Australian Outback area, nicknamed "Koalafornia", opened with a focus on koalas and their health.

October 2013: Tasmanian Devils Housed

Since October 2013, the exhibit also houses Tasmanian devils as part of the Australian government's Save the Tasmanian Devil Program.

2014: Koala Escapes to Tree

In 2014, Mundu, a koala at the San Diego Zoo, escaped to a neighboring tree outside its Koalafornia Australia Outback enclosure, and was lured back down after the park closed.

2014: African Penguins Arrive

In 2014, a colony of African penguins arrived at the San Diego Zoo for the first time since 1979.

2014: Hornbill Collection Displayed

In 2014, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park together held America's most diverse collection of hornbills, with 15 species displayed.

2014: First Successful Breeding of Ethiopian Mountain Adders

In 2014, the San Diego Zoo became the first U.S. zoo to successfully breed Ethiopian mountain adders, with the hatching of seven eggs.

2015: Panda Cubs Sent to China

By 2015, all giant panda cubs born at the San Diego Zoo had been sent back to China to participate in the breeding program there.

2015: Wolf's Guenons Escape

In early 2015, two Wolf's guenons monkeys escaped their Lost Forest enclosure at the San Diego Zoo; one neared Route 163 but was safely retrieved without injury.

September 7, 2016: Geladas Arrive

On September 7, 2016, an all-male troop of geladas arrived from the Wilhelma Zoo in Stuttgart, Germany.

2016: Death of Baba the Pangolin

In 2016, Baba, the last pangolin on display in North America at the time, passed away at the San Diego Zoo.

June 22, 2017: Penguins Move into Cape Fynbos Exhibit

On June 22, 2017, a group of 20 African penguins moved into the Cape Fynbos exhibit in preparation for its opening.

June 23, 2017: Leopard Sharks Arrive

On June 23, 2017, twelve leopard sharks arrived from SeaWorld San Diego.

June 28, 2017: Sharks Introduced to Penguin Exhibit

On Wednesday, June 28, 2017, leopard sharks were introduced to their exhibit and their penguin neighbors.

July 1, 2017: Africa Rocks Exhibit Opens

On July 1, 2017, Conrad Prebys's Africa Rocks exhibit opened, highlighting the biodiversity of Africa.

December 6, 2017: Africa Rocks Exhibit Completed

The Africa Rocks exhibit was completed on December 6, 2017.

2017: Penguins Move to Africa Rocks

In 2017, the African penguin colony moved into the newly opened Africa Rocks exhibit at the San Diego Zoo.

April 2019: Giant Panda Exhibit Closed

In April 2019, the giant panda exhibit at the San Diego Zoo closed, and the pandas were repatriated to China.

2019: West With Giraffes Novel

In 2019, the events surrounding the giraffes Lofty and Patches, the zoo, and Belle Benchley were prominently featured in the novel, West With Giraffes.

April 9, 2020: Pygmy Hippo Calf Born

On April 9, 2020, Mabel, a pygmy hippopotamus at the San Diego Zoo, gave birth to Akobi, a male calf. This birth marked the first pygmy hippo born at the zoo in nearly thirty years.

October 2020: Gorillas Damage Enclosure Glass

In October 2020, two gorillas at the San Diego Zoo charged at the glass of their enclosure, causing damage to the outer pane.

2020: Animal Species Count

By 2020, the total number of animal species in the San Diego Zoo collection had been reduced to approximately 650.

July 2022: Hummingbird Aviary Update

As of July 2022, a small aviary includes three species of hummingbirds and other birds from South America. Guests can view the birds from an observation bridge, and the aviary includes a cenote pool. Wattled jacanas can also be seen in the aviary.

July 2022: Reptile House Animal Update

As of July 2022, the Reptile House at the San Diego Zoo contains a diverse collection of reptiles and amphibians.

2022: Wildlife Explorers Basecamp Opens

In 2022, the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp opened on the site of the historic Children's Zoo, offering interactive experiences and animal encounters.

January 29, 2023: Red Panda Adira Escapes

On January 29, 2023, Adira, a 2-year-old red panda, escaped her enclosure in Panda Canyon for six hours but remained nearby and was safely returned.

June 9, 2023: First Red Panda Cub Since 2006

On June 9, 2023, Adira and Lucas welcomed their first cub, marking the first baby red panda at the San Diego Zoo since 2006.

November 2023: Xi Jinping hinted at panda return

In November 2023, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, suggested that giant pandas might return to the San Diego Zoo as a "gesture that China is ready to continue cooperation with the U.S. on panda conservation."

June 2024: Pandas Loaned to Zoo

In June 2024, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, a pair of pandas, were loaned to the San Diego Zoo.

August 8, 2024: Pandas Debut at the San Diego Zoo

On August 8, 2024, the two giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, made their debut at the San Diego Zoo.

July 4, 2025: Giraffe Calf Born

On July 4, 2025, a giraffe calf was born in the Urban Jungle exhibit.

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