History of San Diego Zoo in Timeline
The San Diego Zoo, situated in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, originated from animals remaining after the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth founded the zoo, pioneering open-air, cage-less exhibits designed to mimic natural animal habitats. This innovative approach revolutionized zoo design, prioritizing animal welfare and providing visitors with a more immersive and educational experience. The zoo is a popular tourist destination and a significant contributor to conservation efforts.
1915: Exotic animal collection assembled
In 1915, the San Diego Zoo began with a collection of animals left over from the 1915 Panama–California Exposition, brought together by founder Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth.
1915: Exotic animal exhibitions
In 1915, the San Diego Zoo grew out of exotic animal exhibitions abandoned after the Panama–California Exposition.
October 2, 1916: Zoological Society of San Diego Founded
On October 2, 1916, Dr. 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: Permanent Land Set Aside in Balboa Park
In August 1921, a permanent tract of land in Balboa Park was designated for the San Diego Zoo; the city would own the animals, while the zoo would manage them.
1922: First cageless exhibits opened
In 1922, the first lion area at the San Diego Zoo without enclosing wires opened. It was the first of the "cageless" exhibits at the zoo.
June 13, 1923: Frank Buck Becomes Director
On June 13, 1923, animal collector Frank Buck started as director of the San Diego Zoo, but left after three months due to clashes with Wegeforth.
1923: Scripps Aviary Built
The Scripps Aviary was built in 1923 and is home to many colorful birds from Africa.
1925: Belle Benchley Appointed
In 1925, Belle Benchley became the zoo director. She was given the title a few years later.
1925: ZooNooz Publication Commenced
In early 1925, the San Diego Zoo commenced the publication of ZooNooz.
1926: Research Hospital Designed by Louis John Gill
In 1926, local architect Louis John Gill designed the Spanish Revival-style research hospital.
1937: World's Largest Bird Cage Designed by Louis John Gill
In 1937, Louis John Gill designed a bird cage at the zoo, then the largest bird cage in the world.
1938: Giraffe Transported
In October of 1938, two giraffes were transported from British East Africa via freighter, where during their 54 days at sea they were caught in the Hurricane of 1938.
1940: Terrible Trudy Escapes
In 1940, a Malayan Tapir escaped several times, earning it the nickname "Terrible Trudy".
1941: Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth's Presidency Ends
Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth served as president of the Zoological Society of San Diego until 1941.
1953: Belle Benchley's Directorship Ends
In 1953, Belle Benchley was succeeded as zoo director by Dr. Charles Schroeder.
1969: Skyfari built
In 1969, the Skyfari was built by the Von Roll tramway company of Bern, Switzerland.
1973: Cascade Canyon Opens
In 1973, the exhibit area now known as Tiger River, originally opened as Cascade Canyon.
1975: CRES Founded
In 1975, the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES) was founded.
1977: Tasmanian Devil Escape
In 1977, a Tasmanian devil escapee was captured in a south-central San Diego home's garage and transported to the San Diego Zoo.
1979: Penguin presence absent
In 1979, the last penguin colony was removed from the zoo.
1982: Opening of Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits
In 1982, the "Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits" opened, before later renovations in 2003.
1982: Management of First Propagation Program for California Condor
In 1982, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance was granted permission to begin the management of the first propagation program for the California Condor.
November 1984: Sichuan Snub-Nosed Monkeys Exhibition
In November 1984, the San Diego Zoo displayed a pair of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys for 13 days, marking the first time golden snub-nosed monkeys were exhibited abroad.
1988: Tiger Trail Opens
In 1988, Tiger Trail opened, housing Malayan tiger brothers, Asian fairy-bluebirds, and other animals.
1988: Tiger River Dedicated
In 1988, the Tiger Trail area of the zoo was dedicated as 'Tiger River'.
1989: Opening of $3.5 Million Exhibit
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.
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 was named Onya-Birri.
1999: Hua Mei Born
In 1999, Hua Mei (female, born to Bai Yun and Shi Shi) was born at the zoo.
1999: Ituri Forest Exhibit Opens
In 1999, the 'Ituri Forest' exhibit opened, simulating the rainforests of central Africa. It features animals like okapi, black duiker, forest buffalo, and hippopotamus.
2000: Safari Park Size
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a nearly 2000-acre park.
2003: Mei Sheng Born
In 2003, Mei Sheng (male, born to Bai Yun and Gao Gao) was born at the zoo.
2003: Opening of renovated Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits
In 2003, the former "Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits" were renovated, to house Sumatran orangutans and siamangs.
2005: CRES Renamed
In 2005, CRES was renamed the Division of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species.
2005: Monkey Trails Opens
In 2005, Monkey Trails opened, replacing the decades-old Ape and Bird Mesa exhibits.
2006: Last Cub Prior to 2023
In 2006, prior to the June 9, 2023 cub, the last cub was born at the San Diego Zoo.
May 23, 2009: Elephant Odyssey Opens
On May 23, 2009, Elephant Odyssey opened, featuring an expanded elephant habitat and exhibits of ancient creatures of Southern California alongside their modern counterparts.
2009: CRES Expanded
In 2009, CRES was significantly expanded to become the Institute for Conservation Research.
March 2010: Polar Bear Plunge Renovated
Polar Bear Plunge was renovated in March 2010.
July 29, 2012: Xiao Liwu Born
On July 29, 2012, Xiao Liwu (meaning "little gift"), was born.
January 9, 2013: Xiao Liwu Goes Outside
On January 9, 2013, Xiao Liwu was let outside for visitors to see.
March 2013: Hyenas Escape During Private Party
In March 2013, during a private party at the San Diego Zoo, two striped hyenas escaped their barriers, requiring sedation and relocation to the veterinary care clinic.
May 2013: Australian Outback Area "Koalafornia" Opens
In May 2013, a new Australian Outback area, nicknamed "Koalafornia", opened, featuring the largest koala colony outside of Australia.
October 2013: Tasmanian Devils Arrive at Koalafornia
Since October 2013, the Australian Outback area also houses Tasmanian devils.
2014: Penguin colony arrived
In 2014, a colony of African penguins arrived for the first time in the zoo since 1979.
2014: Koala escapes enclosure
In 2014, a koala named Mundu escaped to a neighboring tree just outside its Koalafornia Australia Outback enclosure.
2014: Hornbill Collection
In 2014, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park held America's most diverse collection of hornbills, with 15 species displayed.
2015: Cubs Sent Back to China
By 2015, all of the cubs 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 escaped their Lost Forest enclosure.
September 7, 2016: Geladas Arrive at the Zoo
On September 7, 2016, an all-male troop of geladas arrived from the Wilhelma Zoo in Stuttgart, Germany, making the San Diego Zoo the second zoo in North America to house them.
2016: Baba, the Last Pangolin, Dies
In 2016, Baba, who was the last pangolin on display in North America at the time, died at the San Diego Zoo.
June 22, 2017: Penguins Move into Cape Fynbos Exhibit
On June 22, 2017, a group of 20 penguins moved into the Cape Fynbos exhibit, in preparation for the exhibit opening.
June 23, 2017: Leopard Sharks Arrive at Penguin Exhibit
On June 23, 2017, twelve leopard sharks arrived from SeaWorld San Diego and were introduced to the penguin exhibit.
June 28, 2017: Leopard Sharks Introduced to Penguins
On Wednesday, June 28, 2017, Leopard Sharks were introduced to 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
On December 6, 2017, Africa Rocks exhibit was completed.
2017: Penguins moved to Africa Rocks
In 2017, the penguins moved into Africa Rocks.
April 2019: Giant Panda Exhibit Closed
By April 2019, the giant panda exhibit had closed and the pandas in the enclosure had been repatriated to China.
2019: Featured in Novel
In 2019, the quarantine station, the giraffes, the highway, the zoo and Benchley featured prominently in the novel, "West With Giraffes".
April 9, 2020: Pygmy Hippo Birth
On April 9, 2020, Mabel gave birth to Akobi, a male pygmy hippo calf, marking the first birth of its kind at the zoo in nearly thirty years.
October 2020: Gorillas damage enclosure glass
In October 2020, two gorillas charged at the glass of their enclosure, damaging the outer pane.
2020: Animal Species Count
In 2020, the animal species count was approximately 650.
July 2022: Reptile House Animal Collection
As of July 2022, the reptile house includes Mertens' water monitors, Ethiopian mountain adders, and other species.
July 2022: Hummingbird Aviary Details
As of July 2022, the 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 also includes a cenote pool.
2022: Wildlife Explorers Basecamp Opens
In 2022, the Wildlife Explorers Basecamp opened on the site of the historic Children's Zoo, featuring interactive play and animal exhibits divided into four ecosystem zones.
January 29, 2023: Red Panda Escapes Enclosure
On January 29, 2023, a 2-year-old female red panda named Adira escaped her enclosure for 6 hours, but was easily led back.
June 9, 2023: First Baby Red Panda Since 2006
On June 9, 2023, Adira and Lucas had their first cub.
November 2023: Possible Panda Return
In November 2023, China's President Xi Jinping hinted at the return of giant pandas to the zoo.
June 2024: Pandas Loaned to the Zoo
In June 2024, a pair of pandas, named Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, were loaned to the zoo.
August 8, 2024: Giant Pandas Make Debut
On August 8, 2024, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, the two giant pandas, made their debut at the San Diego Zoo.
