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.
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.
In 1915, the San Diego Zoo grew out of exotic animal exhibitions abandoned after the Panama–California Exposition.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Scripps Aviary was built in 1923 and is home to many colorful birds from Africa.
In 1925, Belle Benchley became the zoo director. She was given the title a few years later.
In early 1925, the San Diego Zoo commenced the publication of ZooNooz.
In 1926, local architect Louis John Gill designed the Spanish Revival-style research hospital.
In 1937, Louis John Gill designed a bird cage at the zoo, then the largest bird cage in the world.
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.
In 1940, a Malayan Tapir escaped several times, earning it the nickname "Terrible Trudy".
Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth served as president of the Zoological Society of San Diego until 1941.
In 1953, Belle Benchley was succeeded as zoo director by Dr. Charles Schroeder.
In 1969, the Skyfari was built by the Von Roll tramway company of Bern, Switzerland.
In 1973, the exhibit area now known as Tiger River, originally opened as Cascade Canyon.
In 1975, the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES) was founded.
In 1977, a Tasmanian devil escapee was captured in a south-central San Diego home's garage and transported to the San Diego Zoo.
In 1979, the last penguin colony was removed from the zoo.
In 1982, the "Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits" opened, before later renovations in 2003.
In 1982, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance was granted permission to begin the management of the first propagation program for the California Condor.
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.
In 1988, Tiger Trail opened, housing Malayan tiger brothers, Asian fairy-bluebirds, and other animals.
In 1988, the Tiger Trail area of the zoo was dedicated as 'Tiger River'.
In 1989, a $3.5 million exhibit opened featuring Bornean sun bears, François' langurs, White-cheeked gibbons, and Aye-ayes.
In 1991, Gorilla Tropics opened, simulating the rainforests of central Africa, with an 8,000-square-foot enclosure for gorillas.
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.
In 1999, Hua Mei (female, born to Bai Yun and Shi Shi) was born at the zoo.
In 1999, the 'Ituri Forest' exhibit opened, simulating the rainforests of central Africa. It features animals like okapi, black duiker, forest buffalo, and hippopotamus.
In 2000, the zoo had around 860 species.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a nearly 2000-acre park.
In 2003, Mei Sheng (male, born to Bai Yun and Gao Gao) was born at the zoo.
In 2003, the former "Whittier Southeast Asian Exhibits" were renovated, to house Sumatran orangutans and siamangs.
In 2005, CRES was renamed the Division of Conservation and Research for Endangered Species.
In 2005, Monkey Trails opened, replacing the decades-old Ape and Bird Mesa exhibits.
In 2006, prior to the June 9, 2023 cub, the last cub was born at the San Diego Zoo.
On May 23, 2009, Elephant Odyssey opened, featuring an expanded elephant habitat and exhibits of ancient creatures of Southern California alongside their modern counterparts.
In 2009, CRES was significantly expanded to become the Institute for Conservation Research.
On July 29, 2012, Xiao Liwu (meaning "little gift"), was born.
On January 9, 2013, Xiao Liwu was let outside for visitors to see.
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.
In May 2013, a new Australian Outback area, nicknamed "Koalafornia", opened, featuring the largest koala colony outside of Australia.
Since October 2013, the Australian Outback area also houses Tasmanian devils.
In 2014, a colony of African penguins arrived for the first time in the zoo since 1979.
In 2014, a koala named Mundu escaped to a neighboring tree just outside its Koalafornia Australia Outback enclosure.
In 2014, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park held America's most diverse collection of hornbills, with 15 species displayed.
By 2015, all of the cubs had been sent back to China to participate in the breeding program there.
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.
In 2016, Baba, who was the last pangolin on display in North America at the time, died at the San Diego Zoo.
On June 22, 2017, a group of 20 penguins moved into the Cape Fynbos exhibit, in preparation for the exhibit opening.
On June 23, 2017, twelve leopard sharks arrived from SeaWorld San Diego and were introduced to the penguin exhibit.
On Wednesday, June 28, 2017, Leopard Sharks were introduced to their penguin neighbors.
On July 1, 2017, Conrad Prebys's Africa Rocks exhibit opened, highlighting the biodiversity of Africa.
On December 6, 2017, Africa Rocks exhibit was completed.
By April 2019, the giant panda exhibit had closed and the pandas in the enclosure had been repatriated to China.
In 2019, the quarantine station, the giraffes, the highway, the zoo and Benchley featured prominently in the novel, "West With Giraffes".
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.
In October 2020, two gorillas charged at the glass of their enclosure, damaging the outer pane.
In 2020, the animal species count was approximately 650.
As of July 2022, the reptile house includes Mertens' water monitors, Ethiopian mountain adders, and other species.
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.
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.
On January 29, 2023, a 2-year-old female red panda named Adira escaped her enclosure for 6 hours, but was easily led back.
On June 9, 2023, Adira and Lucas had their first cub.
In November 2023, China's President Xi Jinping hinted at the return of giant pandas to the zoo.
In June 2024, a pair of pandas, named Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, were loaned to the zoo.
On August 8, 2024, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, the two giant pandas, made their debut at the San Diego Zoo.